In fall 2025, Richard Solberg received a call he wasn’t expecting from someone he’d never met.

It turned into a conversation that resonated with Richard, a longtime leader of Bell Bank and current chairman of Bell’s board of directors.

The caller was the daughter of a friend of Richard’s. She was calling to let him know that her father had passed away at his Florida home.

“I felt bad,” Richard said. “He was a good friend and customer of the bank.”

In talking with the woman, Richard asked how she found his cell phone number.

“It was in Dad’s ‘Little Red Box’,” she told him.

She explained that her father had told her, “If something ever happens to me, find the Little Red Box. It will be in my home office in Naples, or in Fargo.” Sure enough, it was – and inside was a list of people to call if something happened. As the man’s longtime banker and friend, Richard was on that list.

There was more, the woman said: the Little Red Box also contained her father’s funeral wishes, his online passwords, his will and other important pieces of information. His forethought and organization, she added, were amazing.

The story stuck with Richard, and motivated him to create his own version of a Little Red Box – and to work with the Bell Bank Wealth Management team to create versions for clients.

“It’s not something anyone wants to think about,” Richard said, “but everyone should have one.”

Why Preparation Matters

Greg Hammes, Bell’s chief legal officer, works closely with the bank’s trust clients on estate settlements and has seen firsthand how planning and preparation can make a meaningful difference for families following the death of a loved one.

However, preparing for death isn’t a topic families often want to discuss.

“The reality is, as Chairman Solberg has told me many times, it is not if it will happen, but when,” Greg said. “It is one of those things in life that does not care about age, gender or what you have in your bank account. We cannot avoid it. It is not whether you are ready to die, but whether you are prepared. That may sound morbid, but it is simply true.”

Studies have found that estate planning preparation has been declining in recent years. In a 2017 study, Caring.com, a senior living referral service, found that more than 40% of American adults reported having a will. By comparison, a November 2025 Pew Research survey found that only 32% reported having one.

While some Americans are preparing their estates for when they pass on, many are not, which can lead to confusion, stress and delays for their families.

“The questions I’ve often heard are: did they have a will or do any estate planning? What assets did they own? How do I get into their phone or check their accounts to see if there is money to pay the bills?” Greg said. “Without proper planning, families may not have many answers for those questions.”

That’s where the idea of a Little Red Box comes in. Whether a literal box or a portfolio-style folder, like the Bell Bank Wealth Management team has created for clients, your Little Red Box can serve as a central place to gather important information and documents.

While not a legal requirement, creating a Little Red Box can give your family a great place to start after your passing and can provide some certainty during a time of sorrow and chaos.

“One of the greatest gifts you can provide to your family is the gift of planning,” Greg said.

If you would like guidance for organizing your important information and wishes and creating your own Little Red Box, our team is here to help.

Little Red Box: What to Include

Other Things to Consider

• After creating your Little Red Box, it is important to share with someone where your box is located so that, in the event of your passing or disability, they can access your information quickly.
• Review your Little Red Box on an annual basis to ensure that everything is up to date and any additional items have been added. “It can be a good idea to do this every year when you file your income tax return,” Greg said.

This article was published in the Q2 2026 issue of the Bell Wealth newsletter.