Bankers on the Move If you have an announcement that you would like to include, please send it to Carla Bush at carlab@minnbankers.com. Frank Inamagua Drake Bank welcomes Frank Inamagua as Vice President, Commercial Banker. Inamagua brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in business and retail banking, having over 15 years at various financial institutions. Katie Wahlquist Star Bank and its Holding Company, MidWest Bancorporation, announce the election of Katie Wahlquist as Star Bank’s President/CEO following the death of Founder & President/CEO, Harry Wahlquist, on July 19, 2024. Katie will succeed Harry Wahlquist from an organizational leadership perspective to oversee the strategic direction of Star Bank and its 11 offices across Central and West Central Minnesota along with the Metro area. Matt Geist, Andy Guse, Andy Wahlquist Star Bank recently announced additional promotions at the Executive level, including the following individuals: Matt Geist will serve as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer; Andy Guse will serve as Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer; and Andy Wahlquist will serve as Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer. Samantha McCarthy Profinium welcomes Samantha Mccarthy as our new Summer/Seasonal Relationship Banker – Teller Specialist. Samantha has a background primarily in healthcare, however she is currently pursuing a Business degree and has leadership experience in complex tax-filing. Hayden Clabaugh Profinium welcomes Hayden Clabaugh as our new Seasonal Relationship Banker – Teller Specialist. Hayden is currently pursuing a Nursing degree and has some great experience in customer service. Season Kotewa Profinium welcomes Season Kotewa as our Human Resources/Administrative Intern! Season graduated high school this past year and had already begun her post-secondary schooling for International Business and exploring Marketing & Finance. Outside of school, Season has worked in customer service and is looking forward to learning about the banking industry and beginning her professional growth. Announcements NATCOM Bancshares, Inc. (NATCOM) NATCOM Bancshares, Inc. (NATCOM), the holding company for National Bank of Commerce and Great River Holding Company (Great River), the holding company for RiverWood Bank (RiverWood), announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for NATCOM to acquire Great River in an all-cash deal. The sale of the transaction is expected to close in late 2024, with the conversion of accounts happening in early 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the approval of Great River’s shareholders. The combined organization is expected to have approximately $2 billion in total assets with more than 250 employees across 12 counties in northern Wisconsin, central Minnesota, and northern Minnesota. In Memory Harry Wahlquist On Friday, July 19, at the age of 85 and surrounded by family, Harry Wahlquist died peacefully after a tenacious 18-month fight against pancreatic cancer. As a family and as a couple, Harry and his late wife, Maryalice, traveled extensively for both business and pleasure, spending summers at the lake in Annandale, MN and winter escapes in Palm Desert, CA. Vocationally, Harry was a tireless advocate for community banking. He spent the last 30-plus years growing the Star Bank organization he founded as The Bank That Cares™ which currently consists of 11 branches in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Prior to his successes with Star Bank, he spent the better part of 30 years as a correspondent banker with Minneapolis-based Northwestern National Bank. He loved the art of making a deal and serving his customers in ways that truly made a difference for their dreams to come true. Troy Casper Troy Casper, 53, passed away far too soon at his favorite place on earth, Lake Vermillion. Troy was a friend to all. He was honest, authentic, and one of the most loving and generous men you will ever have met. If you were fortunate to have received a Troy hug, you know. He LOVED fishing and lived for his time on Vermillion with his family and long-time group of friends. Troy was President of Frandsen Bank & Trust, Baxter and a recent graduate of Class Six in MBA’s Leadership Development Academy.