Horicon Bank FDL West Celebrates 130 Years

Envision Greater Fond du Lac held a ribbon cutting at Horicon Bank – Fond du Lac West on Friday, November 6, to celebrate the bank’s 130th year in business. Guests who came through the doors enjoyed pizza and beverages, and raffle prizes added to the celebration.

A highlight of the event was a moving speech by Melissa Standlee, Branch Manager of Horicon Bank – Fond du Lac West. She reflected on the bank’s founding and what its culture means to her.

“For us to be standing here today, celebrating 130 years in business, is an amazing accomplishment,” said Standlee. “What is even more remarkable is that the vision, culture, and core virtues on which this company was founded have remained unchanged.”

Standlee told the story of Daniel Van Brunt, the industrial innovator and inventor of the grain drill who founded the bank 130 years ago. He saw that ingenuity needed collaboration between innovation and financial capital. “So here we stand, 130 years later, with that same spirit of collaboration,” she said. “We are an organization built not through transactions, but through relationships.”

She also spoke about the bank’s CORE virtues — Capable, Honest, Respect and Energy — and its mission to CARE. She shared her own path with the bank. She joined in 2023 as a Universal Teller in Beaver Dam and grew into the roles of Universal Banker, Field Trainer and Floating Universal Banker before becoming Branch Manager at Fond du Lac West. Along the way, she worked in 13 of the bank’s 17 in-person locations.

“What I have learned is that the culture we talk about here is real, honest, and trustworthy,” said Standlee. “The connections we make go beyond day-to-day interactions. Those connections are community.”

She closed with a story about helping a business customer through a difficult challenge. She had him working with the right people before he left her office. Standlee said moments like that reflect the bank’s vision: “Together, Doing Good.”

“Melissa’s words captured exactly why Horicon Bank has lasted 130 years. They invest in relationships, with their customers, their employees and the communities they serve. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with the Fond du Lac West team,” said Alyssa Gruenwald, Director of Marketing & Communications at Envision.

Ribbon cuttings are one of the ways Envision recognizes its investors and celebrates business milestones throughout Fond du Lac County. Envision congratulates Horicon Bank on 130 years and thanks everyone who came out to celebrate. To learn more about Horicon Bank, visit www.horiconbank.com.