Larry Ness, CEO and Board Chairman of First Dakota National Bank, is retiring as CEO on December 30, 2022. Coming to First Dakota in August of 1983, when First Dakota was a struggling bank that was expected to fail, Ness led the bank’s rebound, enjoying nearly four decades of growth and success. In 1983, First Dakota had one location and $42 million in assets. They now have 17 locations in 12 South Dakota cities with $2.7 billion in assets.
Ness will continue as Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since 1996. Rob Stephenson, Bank President, will succeed Ness as CEO on January 1.
Stephenson joined First Dakota in 1996 after several years as a bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Stephenson has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and completed the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado.
First Dakota became the first fully chartered bank in the Dakota Territory when it opened its doors in 1872. The organization has sought to support local dreams and communities with dependable banking options.
