If Jeff Stanislawski had his way, banking conversations would always happen in person around a desk or table, not over the internet or on a screen.

“I tell anyone who asks me, I’d always prefer to go out to their farm or business and sit with them on their territory,” said Jeff, Bell’s SVP/market development manager on the bank’s ag team. “There’s nothing better than direct contact with the customer, because that’s where the trust occurs.”

In an industry that has seen significant technological changes, Jeff’s people-centric approach stands out and has helped him build deep relationships with his customers over his banking career.

From the Farm to Ag Lending

Jeff grew up in a family of eight children on a small dairy farm in Greenbush, Minn. He left to attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston, and then North Dakota State University, graduating with a degree in ag education and extension. After college, he taught for a year and then joined the Minnesota Extension Service, where he specialized in farm business management.

Eventually Jeff made the switch to banking, and after working with several area banks, joined Bell in 2007 to help start, then lead, the bank’s branch in Fergus Falls, Minn. In 2022 he returned to his agriculture roots, joining Bell’s ag lending team.

A year and a half ago, Jeff moved to Bell’s branch in Wahpeton, N.D., to serve as interim president while the bank searched for a permanent replacement. The temporary role was a change from his ag duties, but Jeff was happy to help cover the transition – an approach he credits to his childhood on the farm.

“That’s just what my seven siblings and I were taught,” he said. “If there are things I can do to help, I’m all in.”

Building Relationships Beyond the Balance Sheet

Though Jeff’s roles have changed throughout the years, his passion for working closely with people has stayed the same.

“My whole career has revolved around people,” Jeff said. “I enjoy the customer service aspect of what I do, making connections with customers and prospects.”

Lynn Paulson, Bell’s director of agribusiness development, described Jeff as an “old-school banker” because of that focus on people and relationships.

“Jeff prefers to do business face-to-face rather than over text or email,” Lynn said. “For him, it’s about creating a relationship that goes far beyond the balance sheet or income statement.”

“It’s been so rewarding to help my customers grow their businesses, or work through their farm challenges and successes,” Jeff added. “It’s hard not to become good friends with the people you serve.”

This article appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of our AgViews newsletter.