Community and business leaders gathered with Minnwest Bank employees on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and to celebrate the opening of the bank’s newest branch in Rochester. The new branch, located at 2575 Commerce Drive NW Suite 100, replaces the former location on 16th and 4th and offers customers a fresh and inviting atmosphere for first class home mortgage services, personal banking, business banking and insurance needs. The redesigned space features a coffee bar, community meeting spaces and of course, full-service banking.
The event drew a strong turnout with attendance from valued business partners, loyal customers and engaged community members. Minnwest Bank assembled catering and raffle prizes from local Rochester businesses including Bleu Duck, Popus Popcorn, Rosati’s Pizza, Café Steam, Café Aqui, Tyrol Ski Shop, Kismet Consignment Boutique and Spark Children’s Museum. The grand opening was not just a celebration of a new physical space, but a testament to the interconnectedness that makes Rochester a vibrant and supportive community.
“We’re excited to welcome the community to our new location in northwest Rochester. This new branch is just another example of our continued commitment to the Rochester community and to our clients.” said Lance Resner, Rochester Market President for Minnwest Bank.
“Minnwest Bank has been a part of the Rochester community since 2006 and is committed to building a strong and vibrant community in the Rochester area,” said Ivan Van Essen, President of Minnwest Bank, “This freshly designed space in the West Circle is a great addition to the Minnwest Bank footprint throughout Minnesota and South Dakota.”
The new branch will serve as a complement to Minnwest Bank’s downtown location. The downtown location will continue to focus heavily on serving commercial customers, while this new location will be better positioned to assist our consumer customers with their banking and mortgage needs. “In 2022, MN Compass published that 72% of Minnesotan’s own their home, which is above the national average at 65%. They also published that only 29% of Black Minnesotans own their home. We have a gap with our minority segments. My goal is to help families reach their milestones and reduce the gap. As a Rochester native and an active community member I’m committed to being part of the solution and helping to minimize this disparity,” said Mortgage Banker Robert Bouapaengphan.
Renovations began in the Spring of 2023 for the new branch. In addition to full service banking, the location also offers the convenience of a drive-thru Interactive Teller Machine (ITM), essentially an ATM with live video chat. An ITM uses a combination of touch screens and video technology to offer a virtual version of the in-person banking experience.
About Minnwest Bank
Minnwest Bank is a family-owned financial services company providing agriculture, commercial and personal banking services throughout Minnesota and South Dakota. It is one of Minnesota’s largest banks, with $2.8 billion in assets and 36 branch locations. For more information about Minnwest Bank, visit minnwestbank.com.