Business banker moved from Minnesota for career, family opportunities
Dec. 18, 2018
This week’s Up-and-Comer is Katie Johnson, a vice president and business banker at Great Western Bank.
Name: Katie Johnson
Age: 38
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minn.
What brought you to Sioux Falls?
Career opportunities. Sioux Falls seemed like the ideal place to work and raise our two girls.
What keeps you in Sioux Falls?
The people. We have made so many friends here in a short period of time. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It’s truly a community feel.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
Meeting new people, learning about their business and helping them achieve their dreams! Our mission at Great Western Bank is to “Make Life Great” for our community. I get to live that every day.
How did you get connected to your industry?
I was in mortgage lending and wanted to branch out to commercial lending. I was given the opportunity to enter into a business banking training program in Minnesota. From there, I was given a portfolio and had a lot of success with it.
Describe Great Western Bank in three words.
Invested — in the community. Growing — with expanding opportunities. Flexible — a big bank/small bank: big enough to handle complex deals, but we still provide the community banking feel for our customers.
What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?
I am a big advocate, volunteer and mentor for Dress for Success. I volunteer with the organization regularly as I believe in empowering and strengthening women in our community.
What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?
Trader Joe’s!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Continuing my work as a business banker and continuing to invest in and strengthen my community and “Make Life Great!”