How First International Bank & Trust Is Setting The Tone For Giving

Written by: Brady Drake

Photo via First International Bank & Trust

First International Bank & Trust’s president, Peter Stenehjem, is a pillar in the Fargo-Moorhead community, not only because of his business acumen but also his propensity to give back. We sat down with this leader of our community to learn a little bit more about how First International Bank & Trust and Peter Stenehjem give back to the FM area.


What do you do for Giving Hearts Day? 
Since moving to the Fargo-Moorhead community, I’ve been involved with Dakota Medical Foundation and have also been a supporter within Giving Hearts Day. Some of my favorite organizations that have benefited from Giving Hearts Day are TNT Kids Fitness, Gigi’s Playhouse, and the Jeremiah Program. As recently as last year, I was asked to cut a quick video in support of Giving Hearts Day and even held up the #CountMe sign! 

Why is Giving Hearts Day important to you? 
I love the fact we live in a very giving and thriving community. Giving Hearts Day is a perfect example of that. Look at the trend over the last few years as volume continues to increase! I personally matched a scholarship that was offered through Giving Hearts Day at UND. 

How do you give back the rest of the year on your own? 
I’m very active with several organizations, including UND, I also serve on the Board of Directors for Sanford Health, The Chamber, as well as Fueling our Future. I’m also a member of the Tocqueville Society for the United Way. 

What do you do to give back with the bank? 
As a community bank, we pride ourselves on being an active member of our community. Both as an organization and as individual employees. We encourage our employees to not only give but also dedicate their time through volunteer efforts. A few to note, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Great Plains Food Bank, The Great North Pole, TNT Kids Fitness, and many others. The stronger our community is, the stronger we are as a community bank. 

Why is giving back important to you? 
One of our corporate values at First International Bank & Trust is to, “Leave a mark on your community.” In addition to the many ways charitable giving and volunteering benefit our communities, I also think it’s important to lead by example. If the work I do as an individual or the work we do as an organization can inspire others to give back, we’re getting a good return on time invested. 

How do you believe the FM community can become a more giving community? 
Continue to get the word out, try to reach new individuals who have never dedicated their time, talent, or resources before. 

What role do you see yourself playing in that process? 
I want to help in any way that I can, and that can include being a community leader or a proponent of Giving Hearts Day.

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Brady is the Editorial Director at Spotlight Media in Fargo, ND.