As national banks leave rural Minnesota communities, Maple Lake-based Star Bank is still growing. Chief administrative officer Katie Wahlquist oversees the bank’s marketing, HR, and compliance departments, in addition to guiding the strategic direction of four branch locations, and she is committed to Star Bank’s independence and service to both rural and metro communities. This is demonstrated by the bank’s 800 loans totaling $23 million provided to local businesses through the federal Paycheck Protection Program in 2020-21. Wahlquist’s marketing strategies have been key to Star Bank’s financial growth—total assets have increased by 33% over the last five years.