20 Years of Living First: A Conversation with Eileen Donner

For more than a century, First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) has grown by staying grounded in what matters most: people. Founded in 1910 as Farmers State Bank in Arnegard, North Dakota, FIBT has expanded into communities across Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota while remaining a family-owned, independent community bank.

At the heart of that growth is the bank's guiding principle: Live First. It reflects FIBT's commitment to helping customers pursue what matters most while creating a workplace where employees can grow, contribute, and make a meaningful difference.

We spoke with Eileen Donner, Card Operations Manager, who has spent 20 years at FIBT and led teams across card operations and customer care. Today, her team supports a key part of the organization's payments operations, including Kotapay, bringing the same relationship-focused approach to customers and partners. Eileen shares what "Live First" means to her, the pride she takes in helping others grow, and how her commitment to service extends beyond the bank and into her community.

You’ve spent 20 years at First International Bank & Trust. When you think about the bank’s “Live First” culture, what does it mean to you personally, and what keeps you excited to come to work after two decades?

To me, "Live First" means being part of an organization that recognizes we're people first, with families, passions, responsibilities, and goals outside of work. Over the past 20 years, I've appreciated working in an environment that supports work-life balance while still creating meaningful opportunities to grow, contribute, and make an impact.

That balance has helped me stay engaged because I know the work we do matters to our customers, our communities, and each other. What keeps me excited to come to work is the opportunity to solve problems, support my team, and be part of a culture that values both professional commitment and personal well-being.

Thinking about your time leading both card operations and the customer care center, what's one achievement you're most proud of, and why does it stand out?

It's difficult to choose just one moment because there have been so many meaningful experiences throughout my time at FIBT. More than any single accomplishment, I'm most proud of the people I've had the opportunity to hire, mentor, and watch grow throughout their careers.

Seeing individuals build confidence, expand their knowledge, take on new responsibilities, and move into new opportunities is incredibly rewarding. To me, leadership isn't just about what we accomplish today. It's about creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to keep developing. Knowing I've played even a small role in someone's growth and success is something I truly value.

You've seen First International Bank & Trust evolve significantly over the past two decades. From your perspective, what has stayed true to the bank's roots? What excites you most about the future for the company, its customers, and the communities it serves?

What has stayed true to FIBT's roots is its commitment to relationships, service, and community. Even as the organization has grown and changed, the focus on doing what's right for customers, supporting one another, and staying connected to the communities we serve has remained constant.

Over the years, I've seen change happen in very different ways. Earlier in my career, change often happened gradually. Today, the pace is much faster, creating new opportunities to learn, adapt, and think differently about how we serve our customers.

I'm especially excited about the growth we've experienced within our department and the opportunity to work in areas that are evolving rapidly, such as payments. As customer expectations continue to change, I believe FIBT is well-positioned to continue growing while staying grounded in the values that have always made the bank strong.

Your roles put you close to everyday customer experiences with the bank. How do you and your teams create an environment where customers feel cared for and employees feel empowered to do their best work?

I believe it starts with ownership, empathy, and clear communication.

For customers, that means treating every interaction as important and helping them feel heard, supported, and confident that we're working toward the right solution.

For employees, it means building trust, explaining the "why" behind decisions, encouraging questions and ideas, and giving them the support and confidence to make decisions that serve both the customer and the bank.

How has your experience at First International Bank & Trust influenced who you are outside of work, whether that's supporting your community, helping local organizations, or guiding others through important financial decisions?

My time at First International Bank & Trust has shaped the way I think about service and supporting others. It has taught me the importance of listening, building trust, and meeting people where they are. Those are values I try to carry with me outside of work, whether I'm supporting my community, helping someone feel more comfortable with a financial decision, or simply being someone others can count on.

One experience that has been especially meaningful is volunteering with North Dakota National Guard military survivor training, where I shared a family perspective with service members preparing to support military funerals, and mentoring new military widows. Those experiences have given me the opportunity to support people through incredibly difficult circumstances, and I've learned just as much from their strength and resilience.

Eileen's story reflects the relationship-based approach that has guided FIBT for more than 100 years. Her perspective brings the bank's mission to life by combining service, leadership, and genuine care for others.

Whether she's helping customers, mentoring employees, or serving her community, Eileen embodies what it means to Live First. It's people like Eileen who continue to shape FIBT's culture, strengthen relationships, and make a lasting impact on the customers and communities we serve.