Dec. 10, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Colin LaBrie, a private banker at First Bank & Trust.

Name: Colin LaBrie

Age: 29

Hometown: Clark – home of Potato Days!

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I originally moved to Sioux Falls to attend USF for my MBA. After a few years, I moved to Brookings to start working for First Bank & Trust. However, I realized I missed my time in Sioux Falls and, thankfully, an opportunity was available for me to move back and continue working for the same organization.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

All the great options Sioux Falls presents. I live downtown, so I enjoy the many food and drink options, as well as the ability to walk to work or along the bike trail. It’s been exciting to have a first-hand view of downtown’s growth.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy helping others learn the power of both saving and growing their hard-earned money. So many people go through life without the education, tools and people to make themselves financially better off – I believe I can be all three of those for someone in need.

How did you get connected to your industry?

My initial connection to banking came through my dad, who worked as a banker for 44 years at another institution. As a child, I would often play on the typewriter outside his office after school, sparking my early interest of the concept of banking. Years later, during college, I began working as a teller at First Bank & Trust, which served as my entry point into the organization. After gaining additional education and experience at other places, I was drawn back to First Bank & Trust, where I have grown and advanced through a variety of roles ever since.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Community. Trust. Relationships.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve only ever lost one tooth – every other one was pulled.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I have found the most joy through various mentoring opportunities in town. I originally started as a Big Buddy through the Children’s Home Society. Now, I serve as a mentor through Lutheran Social Services and the Sioux Falls School District. It is extremely rewarding to be there for someone in need as they grow up.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Trader Joe’s.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

Turo – but for golf carts. Stick with me on this one. Essentially, someone rents the golf cart you own by the hour and then returns it to the shed when their round is over with. This would create some passive income for golf cart owners while also alleviating the expense for the golf course to own and maintain carts.