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A headshot of Teri Hodgett

Teri Hodgett

Chief Risk Officer, Sunrise Banks

“Being a force for good means that we do everything with the intent of helping or improving our communities, our customers, or our planet. We first look at the needs of who we are serving and ensure those needs are met before thinking of our own.”

Connect with Teri on LinkedIn

About Teri

As Chief Risk Officer, Teri Hodgett’s job is to keep both Sunrise Banks and our customers safe. “We ensure the products and services we offer are transparent and in the best interest of the customer,” she says. “At the same time, we need to manage all other regulatory requirements and ensure the decisions we make will allow us to continue serving our communities and customers.”

Teri has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years. She started her banking career as a teller and operating a (now extinct) proof machine. Teri joined Sunrise Banks in 2017 and was named Chief Risk Officer in 2021. Her experience includes public accounting, community banking, compliance training and consulting.

Motivated by Impact

“When it comes to our mission, we walk the walk,” says Teri. “It is baked into everything we do. Knowing that what we do is having an impact across the country is what gets me up in the morning.”

One initiative Teri is most proud of during her tenure is developing the Sunrise Banks Pathway2Home® program, which allows people with an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) to secure a mortgage for purchasing a home. “While the real work was done by our credit and mortgage teams, this was the first special purpose credit program I helped create. Seeing how many people we have been able to get into homeownership has been amazing.”

Beyond Traditional Learning

Teri says the core value of Always Learning resonates with her the most.

“In my role, regulations, guidance and risk are always changing and you must learn to adapt and pivot. But this value goes beyond technical learning and into the ability to see the perspective of others,” she says. “Whether it’s the customer’s perspective, a co-worker’s perspective, a partner’s perspective – being able to listen and learn from that can only lead to better outcomes and a more positive place to work.”

Teri earned her B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Service and Recognition

Teri uses her compliance and banking knowledge to support other organizations outside of Sunrise Banks. She currently serves on the Certification Board for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and previously served on the Compliance Committee for the Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA). Teri provides annual compliance training for loan officers with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota. She also enjoys volunteering with her kids at Feed My Starving Children.

In 2022, Twin Cities Business magazine recognized Teri on its Notable Women in Banking & Finance list.

Personal Interests

Teri enjoys spending time at the lake in the summer, reading, crocheting, and hanging out with her kids (when they let her!). She is also a big friend of the TV show Friends, noting she has seen every episode “way too many times!”

Tapping into her love of compliance, Teri also enjoys reading new regulations in the Federal Register and believes just about anything can be solved with a spreadsheet.