HISTORY: Dakota Heritage Bank
To us, communities aren't just places on a map—they're the places we call home. They're where we grew up, where we live and work. This is where we feel safe, welcome, and like we're part of something special. We're proud to be your Dedicated Hometown Bank.
SECURITY STATE BANK OF HUNTER
This bank was officially organized on October 20, 1944 by a group of local citizens. Mr. Carl Howells was perhaps the most influential in getting the bank started as the records show that he did most of the ground work. The bank was organized to replace the First National Bank of Hunter which was owned and operated by Mr. Parkhurst and who voluntarily closed this bank sometime in 1943 or early 1944. The Security State Bank of Hunter officially opened for business on or about February 1, 1945, purchasing the building, furniture and fixtures, equipment and supplies from Mr. Parkhurst for $4,000.00. Capitalization of the bank was $35,000.00. Chief executive officers of the bank were as follows:
- A.H. Gilbertson - 1945 - 1955
- R.D. Fredrickson - 1955 - 1974
- Curtis Haarsager - 1975 - 1978
- Darvin D. Hauff - 1978 - 2010
- Jason B. Hauff - 2010 - Present
On September 20, 1968, a paying and receiving station was opened at Galesburg, ND, which continues to be a vital addition to this bank.
On January 1, 1992 the bank established an office in Grandin, ND. This office was formerly operated as a branch office of the Wells Fargo Bank, Hillsboro, ND.
On December 3, 2001 the bank purchased a branch office in Hillsboro, ND. This office was a branch office of the Bremer Bank, Grand Forks, ND.
On November 18, 2019, Dakota Heritage Bank opened an office in Red Lake Falls, MN. Reed Engelstad was appointed President of the Red Lake Falls office.
On December 6, 2021, Dakota Heritage Bank opened an office in Medina, ND. This office was formerly operated as a branch office of Choice Bank, Fargo, ND. Gerald Horner was appointed President of the Medina office.
FIRST STATE BANK OF HOPE
The First State Bank of Hope began its business as the State Bank of Pillsbury on June 20, 1911, with J.D. Brown, M.B. Cassell and F.W. Erid as shareholders. Its starting capital was $10,000.00. On July 11 of the same year the name was changed to the Pillsbury State Bank with J.D. Brown as president, H.P. Rice as cashier and H.J. Hunt as assistant cashier.
M.G. Pederson became cashier of the bank in May 1916 and also became a shareholder. He eventually became a director of the bank in 1922. The bank closed January 1924 until 1926. A reorganization meeting was held in July to reopen the bank. It was reopened on July 29, 1926. The Pillsbury State Bank continued in business until June, 1931, after a certificate which was filed for permission to move its corporate headquarters from Pillsbury to Hope was granted. On July 1, 1931, the bank opened its doors in Hope as The First State Bank of Hope. M.G. Pederson was elected cashier and Maurice Harrington was named assistant cashier. The First State Bank of Hope was managed by the Pederson family, including M.G. Vincent Pederson, R. Paul Pederson and Richard Pederson working here at various times and in various capacities.
In 1985, the bank was purchased by the Hunter Holding Company whose directors were W.O. Brown, Robert Dawson, James Dawson, Robert Lauf and Darvin Hauff. Darvin Hauff was President of the Bank with Roy Daschendorf as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Daschendorf was later appointed as President of the Hope Branch.
FIRST STATE BANK OF GACKLE
The First State Bank of Gackle was established in 1905 with one of the officers being A. F. Lehr. About five years later, Mr. Lehr gained controlling interest in this bank and it was operated by the Lehr family, A. F. Lehr, his son Calvin Lehr, and then his son Mark Lehr, until purchased by the Hunter Holding Company in 2000. The effective date of change of control was January 31, 2000, with Darvin D. Hauff appointed as President and Dale Donat as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Donat was later appointed as President.
STATE BANK OF STREETER
State Bank of Streeter was purchased by the Hunter Holding Company in 2006. The effective date of change of control was August 10, 2006, with Bryan Spitzer appointed as President.
DAKOTA HERITAGE BANK
In December of 2006, the State Bank of Streeter and the First State Bank of Gackle merged and became known as Dakota Heritage Bank. The bank operated three locations which included Gackle, Streeter and Jud.
NATIONAL BANK OF HARVEY
The National Bank of Harvey was organized November 16th, 1964 with an original capital of $150,000. As of October 31st, 1983 the bank had been in existence for 18 years and total assets of the bank were over $23 million. This amounted to an average growth in excess of 1MM per year. The bank moved to the new and current location at 920 Lincoln Ave. in November of 1983. Dakota Heritage Bank purchased the National Bank of Harvey and merged assets into their state charter on March 20th, 2015. Robert Harrington was appointed President at the time.
DAKOTA HERITAGE BANK
On July 1, 2005, all offices of Security State Bank of Hunter merged with the First State Bank of Hope. The bank became known as Dakota Heritage Bank of North Dakota.
On March 22, 2009, Dakota Heritage Bank, which consisted of Gackle, Streeter, and Jud, merged into the Dakota Heritage Bank of ND. Dakota Heritage Bank had offices in eight locations. The Directors at that time were Darvin D. Hauff, Jason B. Hauff, Roy Daschendorf, Donald K. Foss, and Edward Ewertz.
As of 2021, Dakota Heritage Bank has ten locations in North Dakota and one in Minnesota.