Kate Roy may be the youngest employee at Minnesota Lakes Bank’s Mound office, “but it never feels like that; going to work feels like hanging out with my friends. I’m treated as an equal.”
Kate Roy began her employment at Minnesota Lakes Bank in January 2023, initially working as a teller. When the incumbent customer service representative moved to Colorado in July, Kate began learning those duties, which include assisting customers with online banking, opening new accounts and responding to any issues customers might have.
“Luckily we work with Kim Rostis, our Branch Manager and Vice President of Operations,” said Kate. “She’s a walking encyclopedia of banking knowledge, and she’s always willing to help if we have any questions at all.”
Kate earned degrees in mathematics and statistics, graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in December 2022 after spending her first three years as an undergraduate at the University of North Dakota.
“I had considered several career options,” Kate explained, “but ultimately chose banking after spending the summer of 2022 working with Tyler Steinke at Grand Rapids State Bank. Tyler is a credit analyst, and the work he does intrigued me. I love numbers and data, and the work seemed like a good fit with my interests.”
Kate’s off-duty interests include working out at her favorite gym. A former hockey and tennis player growing up in Grand Rapids, she now also enjoys walking, running and biking on area trails. The Dakota Rail Trail, in particular, reminds her of northern Minnesota as it winds past several lakes along its route from Wayzata to Lester Prairie. She also loves trying out different foods at new restaurants and breweries in the area.
“One of the things about working in a smaller bank is the opportunity to work with all the customers and getting to know them as friends,” Kate continued. “I help them at work and then see them in public.
“I’d love to grow my responsibilities with the bank over time,” said Kate. “It’s a unique opportunity to work in a smaller bank with the chance to learn so many of the processes and roles.”