Starion adds bank to its name

Bismarck, N.D.-based Starion Financial is changing its name to Starion Bank, effective Sep 28..In 2001, Starion was comprised of banks in Bismarck, Mandan, Oakes and Ellendale operating under the name First Southwest Bank. At the time, using the term "financial" was the trend because people were looking for a wide range of financial services at one source, the bank said in a release, and Starion was expanding in the areas of insurance and investments.."Today, people assume banks provide additional services but when they hear 'financial' they only think of investments and loans," said Craig Larson, Starion president/CEO. "Through a lot of hard work, Starion Insurance and Starion Investment Services have made names for themselves and now it is time for us to reclaim the core of our business – banking – and more clearly communicate that to customers and potential customers.".The $1.5 billion Starion currently has 15 locations in North Dakota and Wisconsin, all of which will see new exterior signage by the end of October. The bank also plans to phase out printed materials as part of the transition to minimize waste.