Three current officers at Farmers & Merchants State Bank have recently been promoted to positions of Vice President.  These three graduates of New York Mills High School, Stephanie VonRuden, Sam Slieter and Latham Hetland were given the new titles by the Board of Directors at their December meeting.

With F&M since 2010, VonRuden began her career at the bank as a summer intern. After graduating with a finance degree from Alexandria Technical College in 2012, she was hired full-time and quickly began taking over compliance duties and was named Compliance Officer in 2014.

Another internship program participant, Slieter was first hired in the summer of 2012. Returning home with a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in 2016, he slid into operations and information technology roles at the bank and was named Operations Officer in 2020. 

In between the full-time hiring of VonRuden and Slieter, Hetland was brought on-board to the bank in 2014.  Earning his bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Minnesota State University Moorhead while working at the bank, he was promoted to Loan Officer in 2020.  

With their initial-hire dates going back to either their high school graduation year or the first year after, the bank has watched them grow from young adults into powerful professional forces. All three individuals have worked hard to maintain the bank’s strong foundation and to improve both themselves and the financial experience for the community. 

“No one works harder or is more deserving of these promotions than Steph, Sam and Latham,” said bank President Nick Roder. “The bank’s position is absolutely a reflection of their dedication, intelligence, and commitment to both the bank and to New York Mills.”

Farmers & Merchants State Bank is a locally owned community bank and has been providing financial and community support to New York Mills since 1916.