The United Prairie Bank system has its roots in rural Minnesota. The organization was born in 1973 when former President James G. Sneer bought Farmers State Bank in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. The bank was run with a strong emphasis in superior customer service, financial integrity and community involvement. The Mountain Lake bank thrived. Some years later, Mr. Sneer began to acquire other banks and export his successful blend of customer service and management practices to other towns in the region. In some cases, failing banks were rescued and resuscitated to once again become strong promoters of their local economies. In 1992, the banks then owned by Mr. Sneer changed their names to the now-familiar United Prairie Bank.