Sentry Bank

What Sentry Bank does

Sentry Bank is a privately held community bank headquartered in St. Joseph, Minnesota, serving the Central Minnesota region through four branch locations (St. Joseph headquarters, two in St. Cloud, and St. Stephen). Originally founded in 1904 as First State Bank of St. Joseph, the institution was locally recapitalized in 2005, acquired St. Stephen State Bank in 2010 and a downtown St. Cloud branch from Sherburne State Bank in 2013, and rebranded as Sentry Bank in 2011 once total assets surpassed $150 million. The bank offers a full product suite spanning personal checking, savings, CDs, IRAs, HSAs, credit cards, and personal loans; home mortgages including one-time close construction and refinancing; and a business banking platform covering small business and commercial checking, SBA 7(a) and CDC/504 loans up to $5-5.5 million as an SBA Preferred Lender, commercial real estate and equipment financing, lines of credit, and Treasury Management (remote deposit, ACH origination, Positive Pay, wire services, payment processing via Payroc).

The technology stack is built on third-party infrastructure: the CSI digital banking platform powers online banking and the Touch Banking mobile app (iOS/Android), Ziply handles online mortgage origination, Elan Financial Services issues VISA credit cards, Payroc delivers payment processing, Autobooks provides embedded invoicing and accounting for small businesses, Intrafi offers Insured Cash Sweep for FDIC coverage expansion, and MoneyPass provides fee-free ATM access nationwide. No proprietary core banking system or AI/ML capabilities are evident; the differentiation thesis rests on local decision-making speed, SBA Preferred Lender status, and community embeddedness rather than technology leadership.

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income on loans (mortgage, commercial real estate, SBA, equipment, consumer, agricultural), supplemented by deposit account fees, interchange from VISA credit cards, Treasury Management service fees, SBA guarantee fees, and modest CD-driven deposit gathering (current specials at 4% APY on 12-month terms with $10,000 minimum). Customer acquisition is community-driven — Chamber participation, civic sponsorships, Realtor and builder associations, and a content marketing blog — with the commercial team extending into the Twin Cities market via a dedicated Business Banking Relationship Manager.

Name

Sentry Bank

Legal name

Sentry Bank

Website

https://mysentrybank.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sentry Bank is a privately held community bank founded in 1904, serving consumers and small-to-mid-sized businesses across Central Minnesota through four branches in the St. Cloud metro and an SBA Preferred Lender program for commercial lending.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Balance-Sheet / Portfolio CRE Lending (FSALADAG), Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC)

Keywords

• Community banking services
• Commercial lending solutions
• Home mortgage financing
• Business treasury management
• Personal deposit accounts

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Joseph

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Lending: Primary revenue from interest earned on mortgage loans (home mortgages, construction loans, refinancing), commercial real estate loans, SBA business loans, equipment/inventory loans, lines of credit, and personal loans (auto, recreational vehicles). Loans include commercial, agricultural, and consumer lending.
2. Deposit Account Fees and Charges: Monthly maintenance fees on certain accounts, per-transaction fees (debit transactions, paper deposits, ACH deposits), overdraft fees, and paper statement fees. Free checking options available with no minimum balance.
3. Credit Card Interchange: Business credit cards issued through Elan Financial Services partnership generate interchange revenue. Cards offered with VISA with options including low rates, cash back, and flexible rewards.
4. Treasury Management Services: Fees for business services including remote deposit capture, ACH origination, Positive Pay, wire services, sweep accounts, and payment processing through Payroc partnership.
5. SBA Loan Guarantee Fees: As SBA Preferred Lender, earns fees on government-guaranteed SBA 7(a) and CDC/504 loans up to $5 million for qualifying businesses.
6. HSA Administration: Health Savings Account management with debit card and check access. Employer contribution distribution services offered. No fee mentioned for HSA administration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sentry Bank is a community bank providing deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, money market) and lending products (home mortgages, construction loans, personal loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans, lines of credit) to consumers and businesses in Central Minnesota. The bank supplements its in-branch service with 24/7 digital banking through online banking, a mobile app (Touch Banking), telephone banking, and a Treasury Management portal for business clients, while operating as an SBA Preferred Lender for government-backed small business financing.

Product overview

Sentry Bank is a community bank offering a comprehensive suite of personal and business banking products and services. The bank's product portfolio centers on core deposit products (checking and savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts) for both personal and business customers, complemented by lending products including home mortgages, construction loans, personal loans, and commercial/business loans including SBA financing. Digital banking services including online banking, mobile banking (Touch Banking app), bill pay, eStatements, and mobile deposits provide 24/7 account access. Treasury Management services for business customers include remote deposit, ACH origination, Positive Pay fraud protection, wire services, and payment processing through Payroc partnership. The bank also offers specialized products including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and SBA Preferred Lender services. The products work together as an integrated banking ecosystem where customers can access accounts through multiple channels (branch, online, mobile, telephone) and businesses can utilize treasury management tools to streamline cash flow and payment processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personal Checking Accounts Personal checking account options for individual consumers, including the Cent'sational Checking account with no minimum balance requirements, no monthly or annual fees, and a free debit card.
• Personal Savings Accounts and Certificates of Deposit Personal savings solutions including regular savings accounts with low minimum balance requirements and Certificates of Deposit (CDs) ranging from 3 months to 5 years, with promotional CD rates up to 4% APY.
• Personal Credit Cards Credit card products for personal use issued through Elan Financial Services with features including zero fraud liability, mobile payment capability, and options for low rates, cash back, or rewards.
• Personal Loans Personal lending products including auto loans, recreational vehicle loans, and personal installment loans for purposes such as cars, boats, or vacations.
• Home Mortgages Mortgage financing for home purchases including Conventional, Rural Development (USDA), FHA, and VA loan programs with various down payment options for home buyers.
• One-Time Close Construction Loan Construction-to-permanent loan that combines construction and mortgage financing into one closing with a single monthly payment, simplifying the home building process for borrowers building a new home.
• Refinancing Rate-and-term refinancing and cash-out refinancing options to lower mortgage interest rates, reduce monthly payments, shorten loan terms, or access home equity.
• Home Equity Loans Home equity lending products allowing homeowners to access the equity in their home for improvements, debt payoff, or other financial needs.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans, offering pre-tax contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses, with debit card and check access plus employer contribution distribution services.
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Retirement savings accounts including Traditional IRA (pre-tax contributions with tax-deferred growth) and Roth IRA (after-tax contributions with tax-free growth and qualified withdrawals).
• Small Business Checking Account Checking account designed for small businesses with no minimum balance requirements, no monthly service charges, and 300 free items per month, then $0.25 per item.
• Business Checking Account Full-featured business checking account for larger businesses with the ability to earn credit back based on average monthly collected balance to reduce or eliminate monthly fees.
• Business NOW Account Interest-earning checking account for non-profit businesses and sole proprietors maintaining a balance over $1,000, with variable rate and $8 monthly maintenance if balance drops below the minimum.
• Prime Time Money Market Account Business money market account that earns interest while keeping funds easily accessible for businesses with excess cash flow, with $8 monthly maintenance if daily balance drops below $2,500.
• Business Savings Account Savings account for businesses to hold money while growing, suitable as a rainy day fund or for saving toward down payments on buildings.
• Business Certificates of Deposit Business CD options allowing businesses to take advantage of competitive rates on excess cash flow with various term lengths.
• Business Credit Cards Business VISA credit cards offered through Elan Financial Services with options including extended intro rates, cash back, or bonuses, featuring free online expense reporting and no fee for additional employee cards.
• Commercial Real Estate Financing Commercial real estate loans for purchasing buildings, renovations, additions, or refinancing existing commercial real estate loans with competitive rates and quick decision-making from local lenders.
• SBA Business Loans Small Business Administration-backed loans including 7(a) loans (up to $5 million for startups and expansions) and CDC/504 loans (for expanding businesses up to $5.5 million), with Sentry Bank holding SBA Preferred Lender status for streamlined processing.
• Equipment and Inventory Loans Business loans for purchasing equipment and inventory to help businesses stay competitive, with a fast and simple application process.
• Business Line of Credit Revolving line of credit providing businesses with flexible access to capital as needed, ideal for recurring inventory purchases or short-term expenses.
• Treasury Management Services Comprehensive cash flow management and risk mitigation services for business clients including online banking, mobile banking, remote deposit, ACH origination, Positive Pay fraud prevention, wire services, sweep accounts, and Insured Cash Sweep.
• Payment Processing Point-of-sale solutions and payment processing through the Payroc partnership, including credit/debit card processing, payment gateway, ecommerce, mobile payments, and gift card/loyalty programs for business clients.
• Online Banking 24/7 online banking platform providing account access, balance checking, money transfers, bill pay, eStatements, and built-in budgeting tools for personal and business customers.
• Mobile Banking Touch Banking mobile app available on iPhone and Android devices for managing accounts, transferring money, and depositing checks on the go.
• Telephone Banking Automated 24/7 telephone banking service at 320-363-8010 for checking balances and transferring money between accounts.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MoneyPass NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationSentry Bank customers have access to fee-free ATMs throughout the country through the MoneyPass network. This provides significant value by eliminating out-of-network ATM fees for customers traveling or banking outside the St. Cloud area.
• PayroccoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partnership providing business clients with point-of-sale solutions, credit/debit card processing, payment gateway, QuickBooks integration, mobile payments, POS systems, ACH processing, gift cards and loyalty programs. Designed to lower payment processing costs for business customers.
• Elan Financial ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationCredit card issuing partnership through Elan Financial Services. Sentry Bank offers VISA business credit cards with options including low rates, cash back, and flexible rewards. Elan provides 24/7 cardmember service and zero fraud liability protection.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Old National Bank: Old National Bancorp is a Midwest regional bank with a meaningful Minnesota presence following its 2022 acquisition of Bremer. It offers full-service personal, mortgage, and commercial banking — overlapping with Sentry Bank's SMB and consumer customers but at substantially greater scale.
• U.S. Bank: U.S. Bancorp is a major national bank headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. It competes directly with Sentry Bank for consumer and business banking customers in Central Minnesota, offering substantially broader digital capabilities, scale, and product breadth.
• Huntington Bancshares: Huntington is a regional bank holding company with significant Midwest operations. It competes with Sentry Bank for SMB and consumer customers in overlapping Midwest markets, but at materially greater scale, with broader treasury management and commercial product offerings.
• Bremer Financial Services: Bremer is a regional financial services company serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas with full personal and business banking. It competes with Sentry Bank for customers in the St. Cloud area but operates at significantly greater scale and across multiple states.

Regional players

• Bank Forward: Bank Forward is a community bank serving North Dakota and Minnesota with personal, business, and agricultural lending. Similar size and product scope to Sentry Bank, though its footprint is concentrated in the northern Red River Valley rather than the St. Cloud metro.
• Gate City Bank: Gate City Bank is a mutual community bank based in Fargo, ND with select Minnesota branches. It competes for personal and small-business banking customers in the upper Midwest with similar relationship-based positioning, but does not directly overlap in the St. Cloud area.
• Bell Bank: Bell Bank is a privately held regional bank headquartered in Fargo, ND with branches across North Dakota and Minnesota. Comparable in size and emphasis on personal service and business lending, though its primary footprint sits west of Sentry Bank's St. Cloud market.

Direct peers

• Frandsen Bank & Trust: Frandsen Bank & Trust is a Minnesota-based community banking group with branches across the state. Comparable in size, product mix (personal, business, mortgage), and small-business/SBA lending focus to Sentry Bank, though it operates in different Minnesota markets.
• Stearns Bank N.A. Stearns Bank is headquartered in St. Cloud, MN — the same primary market as Sentry Bank. As another privately held community bank offering personal banking, business lending, and SBA financing in Central Minnesota, it is the closest direct geographic and product peer.

Emerging players

• Wings Financial Credit Union: Wings Financial Credit Union is a Minnesota-based member-owned cooperative offering checking, savings, mortgages, and consumer lending. Comparable deposit and consumer lending products to Sentry Bank, though structured as a credit union rather than a commercial bank.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mysentrybank

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sentry Bank