progress: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
B5
CHARLES CITY PRESS | WWW.CHARLESCITYPRESS.COM | FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025
First Citizens Bank marks a year of growth and community engagement in Charles City
For The Press First Citizens Bank continues to ex- pand its presence in Charles City, add- ing new employees, upgrading tech- nology and increasing its community involvement through the past year. The bank, which operates in Charles City and other locations in north-cen- tral Iowa and Mora, Minnesota, has seen several staf fi ng changes. New hires at the Charles City branch include Abigayle Wedeking, who start- ed as a teller in March before transfer- ring to the Home Loan Center as a loan processor, and Kenzie Waters, who was hired in April as a teller before trans- ferring to the bank’s Osage location. In October, Shari Vohsman and Jen- nifer Miller both joined the team as tellers, while Rylee DeBoest transi- tioned from student help to a part-time teller role. The bank also saw multiple promo- tions, including Natalie Cook’s move from the Home Loan Center to trea- sury management associate, Connor Crooks’ promotion to loan processor II, and Brenda Howe’s elevation to teller supervisor. Beyond its internal growth, First Citizens Bank remained active in the community throughout the year, the bank said. Employees volunteered at local events, including staf fi ng the food stand at the Floyd County Fair, work- ing the concession stand at a Charles City Comets football game and partic- ipating in the operations of the Charles City Theatre. They were also involved in events such as SpookWalk near Halloween and Kids Day before Independence Day, and contributed time to organiza- tions including the Charles City Boost- er Club, Chamber of Commerce, Main
Street Charles City, NIACC, Rotary and Floyd County Friends of Cancer. Employees also participated in sev- eral fundraising efforts, with jeans days helping to raise money for local bene- fi ts and organizations. The bank’s commitment to education extended through its partnership with the Charles City Public Library and Charles City Schools to provide fi nan- cial literacy resources. Through Banzai Financial Literacy, First Citizens offers interactive tools, games and in-classroom materials to teach fi nancial management skills. Financial security was a growing concern in 2024, with First Citizens reporting more than 350 cases of fraud fi led with its fraud department. The bank said it employs a team of dedicated fraud specialists to assist businesses and individuals dealing with fraudulent activity. Technology improvements were also part of the year’s changes. A new ATM/ITM was installed at the Charles City drive-thru lanes in April, allowing customers to conduct teller transactions via video chat. In the fall, First Citizens introduced a new lineup of personal checking ac- counts and expanded credit card pro- cessing options for business custom- ers. The Treasury Management Team, including Charles City’s Natalie Cook, has been working on additional offer- ings for business deposit customers. More changes are planned for 2025. The bank expects to roll out a new on- line and mobile banking interface in the fi rst half of the year, and it is part- nering with a new vendor to provide payroll and HR solutions for small businesses. The fraud prevention tools available to business customers are also being
Submitted photo The First Citizens Charitable Foundation continued to support local nonpro fi t organizations in 2024, donating more than $478,000 across all communities served by the bank. In Charles City the foundation contributed $20,500 to groups such as the Floyd project to renovate its city park.
expanded, with enhanced positive pay features in development. The First Citizens Charitable Foun- dation continued to support local non- pro fi t organizations in 2024, donating more than $478,000 across all commu- nities served by the bank. In Charles City, the foundation con- tributed $20,500 to groups including the Avalon Center, the Charles City Arts Council, The Learning Center, the city of Floyd, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, the American Legion
Shannon-Wilson Post No. 174, the Charles City Community Fund, Lu- theran Services in Iowa and the Floyd County Historical Society Museum. Organizations interested in applying for funding can visit the bank’s website at myfcb.bank for more information. Grant applications are reviewed twice a year. Customer service remains a priority, the bank said, and feedback collected from Charles City branch customers in 2024 re fl ected that.
Survey responses highlighted the bank’s customer service, with one respondent noting, “They actually re- member me and care about me as a person.” Another said, “First Citizens is always involved in the community.” First Citizens Bank plans to contin- ue investments in staff and technology and continue its commitment commu- nity outreach, looking ahead to another year of service and growth in 2025, the bank said.
Working closely with the city of Charles City, MSCC adminis- ters fi nancial assistance programs, providing downtown businesses access to Façade Improvement Grants and Cultural & Enter- tainment District Grants. These programs awarded more than $30,000 in 2023-24, funded through the city’s Riverside Tax Increment Financing District. Since Charles City became a Main Street Iowa communi- ty, there has been more than $93 million invested privately in downtown, involving 318 build- ing projects, 71 building sales and 61 new or expanded businesses, Wicks said. “Although not every invest- MSCC Continued from page B4
ment was directly due to MSCC, the organization has played a critical role in making downtown Charles City a desirable location,” he said. Wicks said 2024 presented sev- eral unique challenges, notably extensive construction projects downtown. Main Street resur- facing, curb repair and sidewalk replacement signi fi cantly dis- rupted normal operations. MSCC proactively communicated project updates and supported affected businesses. Construction complications required adjustments to tradition- al downtown events, including Central Park activities and Party in the Park events, some of which were also rescheduled due to in- clement weather. These unexpected changes de-
manded additional effort and fl ex- ibility from volunteers, staff and board members, Wicks said. Today, MSCC staf fi ng is nearly back to full strength. Shannon Schaeffer joined as of fi ce man- ager, splitting her time between MSCC, the Chamber and the Area Development Corp. Cathie Hager was hired as pro- gram and membership coordina- tor, supporting activities for both MSCC and the Chamber. Chris- ty Laube, an ADC employee, continues assisting MSCC with bookkeeping responsibilities. Wicks, who has led MSCC since 2013, recently achieved “Tenured Executive Director” status with Main Street Iowa, serving on the program’s state ad- visory board. The current MSCC board
consists of Chair Krista Noah, Vice Chair Anne Benning, Past Chair Ryan Venz, Treasure Nikki Knowlton, Pat Ohlerking, Drew Mitchell, Evonne Neupert, Di- anne Cardos and Tonya Nosbisch. For fi scal year 2024-25, the board prioritized three main objectives: supporting business growth and retention, utilizing analytics to guide strategic deci- sions, and increasing fundraising efforts to sustain community pro- grams, Wicks said. For more information or to obtain a copy of MSCC’s an- nual report, residents can visit charlescitychamber.com, call 641- 228-2335, email info@charlesci- tychamber.com, fi nd Main Street Charles City on Facebook, or stop by the MSCC of fi ce at 401 N. Main St.
2025 PARTS SPECIALS
Like us on Facebook. Share us and get a rewar Watch for special deals! rd. !
Parts Counter Special 10%Off Discount applies to items not already on sale! We ship UPS and SpeeDee NICHOLS FIELD CULTIVATOR SWEEPS No interest, No payments for 30 days using CNH Ind. Capital March , 10-31, 2025
Sale: $12.00 $14.00 $14.00
Size: 7” 9” 10”
All Sweeps 1/4” Thick
CARING
47 angle We ship SpeeDee
CHARLES CITY FAMILY YMCA
Youth Development
Healthy Living Social Responsibility
(641) 228-5714 www.swartzrock.com 2192 Old Hwy Road South Charles City, IA 50616
ALL TOGETHER BETTER +XOLQ&KDUOHV&LW\
RESPONSIBILITY
Your Complete Auction Service
•Annuals • Perennials • Roses
• Shrubs • Tropicals • Pottery
•Hanging Baskets • Planters
2955 120 th St. (8 mi. North of Charles City)
!
Your Locally Owned FULL SERVICE AUCTION COMPANY
"# !$ % & '(&&)* &&+) &&, &&
Visit www.wrightzauctionco.com for more information & upcoming auctions
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator