Celebrating the Relationships That Built Bell

In 2026, Bell Bank is celebrating a remarkable 60 years of serving customers and helping people achieve their financial goals.

What began in 1966 as a single-location community bank in Fargo has grown into one of the nation's largest family- and employee-owned banks. Yet six decades of growth haven’t changed Bell's commitment to responsive personal service and long-term relationships.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we're taking a moment to reflect on how far we've come and, most importantly, to thank the customers who have made it all possible.

Growth and Milestones

Bell has led with the belief that taking great care of customers and employees leads to growth and long-term success.

Throughout the past six decades, Bell has achieved several significant milestones: 

1966: Bell opens in Fargo as State Bank of Fargo. 
1996: The organization becomes Bell Bank and begins a new era of growth. 
2008: Bell launches its Pay It Forward program, empowering employees to support people and causes they care about. 
2010s: Bell expands into new markets and business lines, including wealth management and insurance. 
2020s: Bell continues to grow while earning national recognition for its culture and customer service. 
2026: Bell reaches its 60th anniversary with more than 2,000 employees, $15 billion in assets and customers across the country.

Thank You

Anniversaries are about more than looking back. They're an opportunity to express gratitude.

For 60 years, generations of customers have trusted Bell with some of life's most important moments. From buying a first home, starting a business, planning for retirement, growing a farm, protecting a family and building a legacy, our customers have been the driving force behind our story.

We know our success is only possible because of the trust our customers place in us every day. For that, we are eternally grateful.

Not for Sale

In today's banking environment, mergers and acquisitions have become increasingly common.

Bell has a different vision.

As a family- and employee-owned company, we remain focused on independence and long-term decision-making. We are not for sale, and we don’t plan to be.

That independence allows Bell to focus on serving customers, investing in employees and supporting our communities.

Rather than managing for the next quarter, we manage for the next generation. It's an approach that has served customers well for 60 years and one we intend to maintain for decades to come.

Culture

Bell's mission of "happy employees, happy customers" guides every decision we make.

That philosophy has helped create an award-winning workplace culture and has inspired programs like Pay It Forward, which has provided millions of dollars to people and organizations in need through employee-directed giving.

It's also why Bell continues to invest in local communities through volunteerism, philanthropy and community partnerships.

The result is a company built on relationships, driven by service and committed to making a meaningful difference.

Looking Ahead

While Bell is proud of its history, the focus remains firmly on the future.

Technology will continue to evolve. Communities will continue to grow. Customer expectations will continue to change.

What won't change is our commitment to putting customers first and helping communities thrive.

As Bell celebrates 60 years, we do so with gratitude, humility and excitement for what’s ahead.

Most of all, we say thank you.

Thank you to our customers, employees and communities for being part of our story.