Terry Jorde, Towner County State Bank

TERRY JORDE President, Towner County State Bank, Cando, N.D.

"The success of independent community banks depends on the success of the community," says Terry Jorde, president of Towner County State Bank, Cando, N.D.

As the first woman president of Independent Community Banks of North Dakota, the 33-year-old bank executive is determined to get her message across on behalf of the 96 banks her group represents: "Reinvestment in the community is the independent bank's first priority."

Terry Jorde's 13 years of banking experience have all been logged in her $23 million-asset bank in rural North Dakota. She started at Towner County Bank in 1979 as a teller, joined the ICBND's board in 1985, and has headed its legislative committee and the group's annual convention.

A proud small-twon banker, Mrs. Jorde disputes any suggestion that the size of her bank is a limitation.

Her professional goal is to give strong leadership within her bank and her community as well as to the state's independent bank association. Eventually, she would like to spend more time with the Independent Bankers Association of America in Washington.

Like many colleagues, she foresees continuing consolidation but doesn't believe that this forecloses opportunities for community banks.

Her schedule is hectic, not leaving a lot of time for personal interests - contrary to the myth about the slow pace of community banking. Like her urban and suburban colleagues, Mrs. Jorde struggles to achieve balance in her life.

"I have an extremely supportive husband and three small children," she says. "It isn't always easy to find the time for everything, but we try."

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