Bates grew up in the restaurant business, where she learned a work ethic that has served her well throughout her banking career. She’s been at Bank Midwest, which has nearly $1 billion in assets and operates 11 offices in three states including South Dakota, since the mid-1990s. She hasn’t just witnessed the bank’s many successes; she’s been integral to them. 

Bates is the second female banker to be recognized as a Banker of the Year since the program began in 1989. With her selection, Bank Midwest becomes the first bank to have two Banker of the Year honorees selected in different years. Bank Midwest Board Chair Steve Goodenow was the magazine’s 2011 Banker of the Year.

BankBeat thanks Bell Bank for its sponsorship of this recognition program. Read BankBeat's story on Bates.