Congratulations and thank you to Ag and Business Banker Dan Filipi, who is retiring from American Federal Bank.

Dan has been helping American Federal ag and agri-business clients find the best solutions to reach their goals for more than 25 years.

In 1995, with American Federal’s growing agricultural portfolio and its commitment to provide superior customer service, Dan joined American Federal as a banker dedicated exclusively to agricultural lending in the East Grand Forks-Grand Forks market. Later Dan was named Vice President.

Dan fit the bill for American Federal and its customers with his years of agricultural lending experience, education and his life-time residency in the Red River Valley. He has enjoyed much success at American Federal, helping develop the bank’s ag lending philosophy, building strong relationships with ag customers around the region and providing outstanding customer service to his clients.

Dan earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University in Fargo. He is a graduate of Warren High School, Warren, Minnesota.

Dan and his spouse, Sandy, and their two daughters, Danielle and Brooke, make their home in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Agriculture plays an essential role in our everyday lives. Even amid the Coronavirus pandemic, our farmers continue to contribute to the stability of our local communities, state and country.

It’s that time of year, when farmers are bringing in the harvest, getting crops off the fields and lifting beets.

We recognize and thank our farmers for the tremendous job they do to produce the safest, most wholesome and affordable food supply in the world.

We salute our local farm producers and ranchers, their families and hired workers, neighbors, American Federal employees and volunteers who are helping get the job done with persistence and resolve during a unique time.

The next time you meet or pass a farmer on the road, give them a thumbs up to recognize their hard work and true grit.

Our Roots Are Deep in Agriculture

No doubt about it, farmers are the backbone of our region. We enjoy an abundant food supply and a stronger economy thanks to their dedication.

American Federal was founded in the Red River Valley in 1891. For decades, our Bankers and Associates have been working side-by-side with farmers and small businesses, providing the best solutions to help them reach their goals.

For example, during the Paycheck Protection Program, American Federal submitted applications for 665 small businesses and farms, totaling more than $45 million in loan assistance, and received funding from the Small Business Association for 100 percent of the applicants.

Caution on Rural Roads

Help keep our farmers and friends safe during harvest. Slow down, look twice and concentrate when you approach or pass a farm vehicle on the road. Roads can get slippery with mud and harvest debris. A little extra caution pays off for everyone at harvest.

 

This year, National Small Business Week is celebrated September 22-24 with a three-day virtual conference. Despite the unique challenges amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, American small businesses continue to play a central role in building a strong nation.

National Small Business Week recognizes the critical contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners and how vital they are to the nation and our local economy. This year’s National Small Business Week activities include numerous educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as the nation’s small businesses look to pivot and recover toward a stronger economy.

American Federal Bank salutes small businesses who are the backbone and spirit of our economy. They grow their business, create jobs and ensure our communities remain vibrant.

Small businesses are the reason American Federal Bank was founded back in 1891. We wanted to help main street businesses with their credit and deposit needs to reach their goals.

“American Federal is a small business in its own right. We are an employee-owned community bank headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, with 13 Sales Offices up and down the Red River Valley and the Lakes Region of northwestern Minnesota. This gives our Bankers a unique bond with their small business customers, and allows them to provide trusted advice and local decision making,” said Pat McShane, Fargo Downtown Market President.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, American Federal has helped more than 665 small businesses and farms with $45 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

More than one-half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create nearly two out of three jobs in the United States, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Why Americans Use Small Business

• Consumers trust small businesses. A Gallop pole says consumers are three times as likely to express confidence in small business as they are in big business.
• Strong customer service is an important factor that keeps clients returning to small business.
• Small businesses give back to their communities whether it is supporting the local sports teams, participating in community events or hiring workers.
• Small businesses produce value for a community. A strong community has a strong small business sector that produces annual receipts as low as $1 million for farms to $50 million or more for retail, construction, health care, manufacturing and service organizations.

Steps to Help your Small Business Thrive

When you are looking for ways to enhance your business development efforts, leverage financing programs that may be available, do your due diligence and make the most of your small business status by:

• Using the SBA’s small business tools
• Exploring financial solutions with an American Federal Banker (insert URL)
• Searching for small business grants
• Researching federal contract opportunities and pursuing registration if desired
• Pursuing state and local government grants and contracting opportunities for small businesses
• Taking advantage of SCORE’s support services
• Supporting your fellow small businesses