2020 will certainly be remembered as a year of news updates and constantly changing headlines, so when we can grab on to the aspects of everyday life that remain consistent and calming, we steady ourselves and keep focused on what matters most. For Dakota West, we find stability in serving our members with quality loans regardless of the financial climate.
In fact, updates about small business loans made through the CARES Act, and specifically the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), may stir up news nationally, but in our communities, Dakota West is proud to have helped dozens of small businesses through the economic impacts of COVID-19. The headlines won’t boast of the entrepreneurs throughout western North Dakota who are keeping employees paid, businesses humming, and lights on for their customers, but we thank our members, both new and long-time, who know they can find a partnership with Dakota West.
If you are experiencing lingering questions about how the ever-changing scenarios in our region are impacting your family, your business, or your finances, reach out to one of our loan officers. Let us continue to strengthen the relationship we’ve developed with you as a member of Dakota West. We are committed to your success in good times, in uncertain times, and whenever you need us.
- Brent Fix – Bowman – 701.444.7304
- Dennis Keller – Watford City – 701.444.7372
- Lindsey Sorenson – Grenora – 701.444.7312
- Melissa Hagen – Mohall – 701.444.7317
- Todd Erickson – Washburn – 701.444.7347
- Todd Hickel – New England – 701.444.7325
- Todd Johnson – Watford City – 701.444.7395
2020 Dakota West Credit Union Scholarships Awarded
(WATFORD CITY, ND, 15 May 2020) – Breaking from its tradition, Dakota West awarded $500 to every student who submitted an application for its 2020 Dakota West Credit Union Annual Scholarships. Originally planning to award four scholarships, current high school seniors and enrolled college and trade school students submitted essays focusing on the Dakota West value of Communication.
“The unconventional circumstances for most students right now made the final months of this school year an exercise in self-discipline. Any students who made the effort to speak to their viewpoint on the importance of Communication in this time of social-distancing deserves to be recognized for his or her dedication,” Juliet Jones, Marketing Coordinator for Dakota West, explained of the change in the number of recipients.
These seven students received news of their receipt of these scholarships on Dakota West’s Facebook page on Friday, May 15.
- Charles Eriksmoen, Mohall
- Clayton Ledahl, Grenora
- Ethan Kobos, Watford City
- Gracey Russell, Washburn
- Hannah Johnson, Grenora
- Morgan Reiser, Turtle Lake
- Taylalyn Kaczmar, Watford City
Dakota West expresses its congratulations and gratitude to the all the student members who belong to the non-profit credit union headquartered in Watford City, North Dakota. Established in 1941, each of its branches and its members and employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities.
Dedicated to exhibiting its values of Responsibility, Positive Attitude, Respectfulness, and Communication throughout west and central North Dakota, Dakota West Credit Union is instilling its young members with skills to maintain personal financial responsibility throughout their education. Dakota West supports all its members grow with comprehensive, competitive financial products partnered with personal, professional service. To learn more about its services and communities, visit our Member Service page.
Watch for individual profiles of these outstanding young members on our News & Events page throughout the summer.
Dakota West Credit Union Awards Financial Literacy Education Grant To McLean County School
(WATFORD CITY, ND, 13 March 2020) – Recognizing the importance of personal financial literacy in North Dakota youth, Dakota West Credit Union awarded its first Financial Literacy Education Grant to Suzy Jacobson of Washburn Public School. Jacobson will present a program designed to teach students where money comes from and where it goes to her fifth and sixth grade students.
The goal of the Financial Literacy Education Grants is to award teachers $250 to bring financial education into their classrooms and educate their students on the importance of focusing on personal financial responsibility.
“I would like my students to get a basic understanding of money – where does it come from? How and why do we save? Most kids think that parents’ money is endless,” wrote Jacobson
Dakota West staff members will partner with Jacobson to develop her program, and the be on hand at the school to help facilitate the topics later this spring. Jacobson’s winning grant was announced on Thursday, March 12 on Dakota West Credit Union’s Facebook page.
“Helping them understand the concepts behind money movement is a good place to begin understanding personal financial responsibility.” Juliet Jones, Marketing Coordinator for Dakota West Credit Union offered when asked about the purpose of the grants.
Established in 1941, each of the Dakota West Credit Union branches and its members and employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities. Offering grants to teachers within its communities continues its focus on this growth through the next generation, and highlights one of the core values of Dakota West: Responsibility.
With branches throughout west and central North Dakota, including Washburn, Dakota West Credit Union is dedicated to helping its members grow with comprehensive, competitive financial products partnered with personal, professional service. To learn more about its services and communities, visit http://www.dakotawestcu.com/member-services/.
If you’ve only visited your local Dakota West branch, there’s a good chance you may have missed out on our little gem in Turtle Lake. One of the Member Service Representatives in our smallest branch, Lani Schafer, keeps the community traditions in eastern McLean County alive and well, brightens each day for our members, and represents Dakota West’s values.
Lani first joined Dakota West when the Turtle Lake Community Credit Union merged with Dakota West in 2002 and returned a second time after taking a break to spend time at home with her family. She’s part of a small-but-mighty team that works with her community partners every December to plan the annual Turtle Lake Santa Day, complete with sleigh rides, giveaways, and a visit from the big man himself.
Whether answering a common question like, “What’s my balance?” or a more complex challenge like assisting a member with attempted fraudulent purchases on a debit card, Lani works with members of communities from Underwood to McClusky, but speaks with members from all of our branches by phone.
“I don’t think people realize how many branches we have and that we are in many smaller communities.” Keeping that personal service in these communities is exemplified by Lani’s every day interactions. Last fall she organized surprise snacks for the girls’ volleyball team to take with them on their six-hour, round-trip bus ride to an away match.
When not serving our members or bringing joy to her local community, Lani enjoys traveling to warmer climates when it gets cooler in North Dakota, and spending time at her family’s cabin on a nearby lake when the days get long. If you are traveling throughout western North Dakota, stop in to one of our other branches, including a visit with Lani and her team in Turtle Lake.
