Stearns Bank Advances Omnichannel Transformation with Prelim Account Opening

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Prelim, a San Francisco-based fintech company specializing in omnichannel account opening and digital onboarding for financial institutions, today announced that Stearns Bank N.A. has selected its platform to unify and modernize the bank's account opening experience across both in-branch and digital channels.

Stearns Bank, a nationally chartered, independently owned institution headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with more than a century of history and over 35,000 customers nationwide, continues to invest in technologies that expand access, simplify banking, and strengthen customer relationships. To further that relationship, Stearns Bank chose Prelim for its flexibility, seamless core integrations, and ability to automate the full onboarding journey from application intake through identity verification and account issuance without sacrificing the high-touch service of the bank.

Known for pairing strong financial performance with forward-thinking innovation, the bank is building a modern banking experience that reflects how customers and businesses operate today while maintaining the high-touch service that has long defined the institution.

As a majority women-owned, employee-owned institution and certified Minority Depository Institution (MDI), Stearns Bank has built a reputation for financial strength, responsible growth, and expanding access to capital for communities and entrepreneurs across the country.

“Our mission has always been to help people achieve their greatest ambitions, and that requires meeting them where they are,” said Kelly Skalicky, CEO of Stearns Bank. “As customer expectations continue to evolve, we are investing in technologies that make banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Partnering with Prelim gives us the tools to extend that same entrepreneurial, people-first approach into a modern digital experience without losing the personal connection our customers value.”

Prelim Connects Speed, Compliance, and Community Banking

Prelim's platform supports retail consumers, commercial clients, and fintech partners by digitizing the full account opening journey from initial application to core boarding while automating back-office operations including review, underwriting, and servicing. Trusted by financial institutions across the country and backed by investors including Y Combinator, Prelim has built a track record of successful deployments at community banks of all sizes.

Prelim is a Fiserv Premium App partner that supports Premier, Signature, DNA, Finxact, and Cleartouch cores. The company's white-labeled, open-architecture solution integrates with Stearns Fiserv Premier banking core, enabling institutions to connect existing and next-generation cores, KYC/BSA providers, and fraud tools through a single platform. “Stearns Bank has built something rare, a high-performing institution that leads with purpose and doesn't treat innovation and community commitment as competing values,” said Heang Chan, CEO and co-founder of Prelim. “We built Prelim to help institutions like Stearns move quickly, stay compliant, and grow, and we're proud this partnership reflects that shared mindset.”

ABOUT STEARNS BANK

Stearns Bank N.A. is a nationally chartered, independently owned financial institution headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona and more than 35,000 customers nationwide. Founded in 1912, the bank is consistently ranked among the nation's highest-performing banks by American Banker and Independent Banker and specializes in SBA and USDA lending, commercial construction financing, equipment finance, and small business banking. As a majority women-owned, employee-owned institution and certified MDI, Stearns Bank is committed to expanding financial access and opportunity for individuals, businesses, and communities across the country. Learn more at www.stearnsbank.com.

ABOUT PRELIM

Prelim is a Silicon Valley-based fintech company offering an end-to-end digital onboarding and servicing platform for banks, credit unions, and fintechs. Built by banking experts and partially employee-owned, Prelim helps financial institutions digitize operations and improve both the customer and employee experience through automation, identity verification, and seamless integration with core banking systems. Learn more at www.prelim.com.