First National Bank offers encouragement, provides support for teammates’ mental health

This paid piece is sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

For a little more than two years, the downtown location of The First National Bank in Sioux Falls has been under construction.

In that time, the bank’s employees have experienced a lot of changes in their work environment, from different parking arrangements to varying temperatures within the building to the occasional sounds of construction: drilling, pounding, welding, etc. But through it all, the teammates at the bank have remained positive.

Why? Because they know their FNB family is there to support them and because they are frequently encouraged to have fun at work. Exhibit A: the Building Encouragement Project.

As the building’s atrium has been receiving a well-deserved makeover, the construction team put up temporary walls on the second and third floors to buffet the sound. Teammates have been walking past these dull walls since June 2021, but for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, they were invited to liven them up a bit!

The Building Encouragement Project allowed teammates to write messages of encouragement on the temporary walls before they would be torn down in June. The results showed some secret artists, some potential motivational speakers and some anonymous comedians.

The Building Encouragement Project was just one of the many ways that First National Bank supports the mental health of its teammates. Here are some of the other ways FNB takes care of its employees 24/7/365:

Well-being committee

None other than the instigator of the Building Encouragement Project, the bank’s internal well-being committee is made up of 12 dedicated employees who are tasked with creating initiatives and activities to support and engage their fellow teammates.

“The well-being committee functions to inform and provide teammates with opportunities to better their well-being,” said Jodie Forstein, auditor and chair of the ‘Physical Pillar’ of the committee. “Our committee members come from all different departments around the bank, which is great to get a variety of perspectives.”

The ‘Physical Pillar’ of the committee focuses on both physical and mental well-being, but every other element of well-being — financial, career, social and community — has an effect on mental health. That’s why all initiatives and activities put forth by the committee are important for supporting teammates’ mental well-being.

Aside from the Building Encouragement Project, the committee recently hosted a monthlong event in which teammates could solve a daily puzzle known as Wordle. Maybe you’ve heard of it?

But this was no ordinary game of Wordle. The custom puzzles created by the well-being committee specifically featured money and FNB-related words like “loans,” “cents” and “Wabli,” the name of the bank’s eagle mascot. Teammates were challenged, engaged and a little competitive throughout the month of May.

Other favorite activities have included a food truck day, Secret Santa, laughing yoga sessions and 15-minutes massages.

“It is such a rewarding experience to bring teammates from different departments together to have fun, get to know each other and build those internal relationships,” Forstein said.

Volunteer time off

Volunteering doesn’t just benefit those in need; it also helps you to reduce stress, feel more positive feelings and lower your risk of depression and anxiety. That all sounds pretty good, right?

Because of FNB’s commitment to both its employees and its communities, all teammates are given 12 hours of volunteer time off each year. VTO works just like paid time off, allowing employees to take time out of their workday to volunteer without sacrificing some of their paycheck.

“I love to volunteer, but finding time outside of busy work and personal schedules isn’t always easy,” said client service associate Stacey Bartlett. “FNB not only encourages us to be involved, but they literally provide the opportunity for teammates to take time out of our workday to volunteer.”

The well-being committee and other teammates are diligent in organizing group volunteer activities throughout the year, such as regular activities with The Banquet, Feeding South Dakota and the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and a yearly event with Rake the Town — a favorite among teammates.

Meanwhile, teammates are welcome to use their VTO for personal volunteer activities, and the bank is happy to lend a hand and put together a group of volunteers when organizations reach out for help.

In fact, the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society recently was looking for a group to help with an outdoor cleaning project, and the bank was able to put together six volunteers in just a few days!

“It’s incredible to work for an organization that supports its community in this way and allows us as individuals or groups to give back,” Bartlett said. “VTO is definitely one of my favorite things about working at First National Bank!”

Employee Assistance Program

We all have times in our life when we experience hardship or just need a little extra help coping. With this in mind, First National Bank provides support for all teammates through the Employee Assistance Program.

Whether they’re battling depression, dealing with identity theft or preparing a will, teammates and their family members can take advantage of up to six free counseling sessions per life issue. Through this program, assistance for teammates is immediate, accessible and completely confidential.

While this program may not be as fun or exciting as the well-being committee or VTO, it is one of the most important ways that First National Bank provides support for its teammates’ mental health.

If you want to work for an organization that supports your mental well-being, take a look at our open positions and apply. We’d love to have you on our team!