First International Bank & Trust Ranked #6 on American Banker’s 20 Top-Performing Banks List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2025
Contact: Tim Olson, Multimedia Specialist | (701) 822-1370
 
 
First International Bank & Trust Ranked #6 on American Banker’s
20 Top-Performing Banks List
Third Consecutive Year of Top Performance Among $2B–$10B Banks

WATFORD CITY, ND – First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) is proud to announce its inclusion on American Banker’s 20 Top-Performing Banks with $2B to $10B in Assets list for a third consecutive year. The North Dakota-based bank was ranked at #6 on the list, up four spots from prior year.
 
Banks on the list were ranked based on their three-year return on average equity. These top 20 institutions also reported higher net interest margins, stronger efficiency ratios, and healthier returns on average assets when compared to peer banks of similar sizes.
 
“It’s a significant honor to be recognized as one of the best-performing banks of our size in the nation,” said S. Peter Stenehjem, CEO of First International Bank & Trust. “First International Bank & Trust has spent 115 years working diligently to help our customers and communities thrive, and this distinction from American Banker is a reflection of that hard work! We take great pride in the way we do business, and the positive outcomes we help our friends and neighbors achieve.”
 
“Our inclusion on American Banker’s list of high-performing banks sends a clear message: that relationship-based community banking is the right way to do business,” said Stephen L. Stenehjem, FIBT’s Board Chairman. “I am proud of our hard-working employees, grateful for our loyal customers, and more optimistic about the future of our organization than ever.”
 
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First International Bank & Trust is owned by Watford City Bancshares, Inc., which is owned by the Stenehjem family. First International Bank & Trust is a full service, independent community bank, a member of FDIC and an equal housing lender. First International Bank & Trust has been in business since 1910 and today operates branch locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. More information about the company can be found at FIBT.com.