Get to Know Choice Bank

People First. Banking Second.

We’re a relationship-driven bank with the scale and expertise to support agriculture, growing businesses, and complex commercial needs — plus we have the technology to deliver modern banking experiences.

About Choice

Choice Mark or logoChoice Bank began in 2001 with a simple focus: serve the banking needs of small communities in North Dakota, enabling them to prosper for decades to come. We’ve grown from a passionate group of rural, small-town banks into an influential force with over $6 billion in assets and team members serving customers in 22 North Dakota and Minnesota locations as well as across the nation through our national lending programs and Banking as a Service.

What #PeopleFirst Means for You

We believe banking works best when it’s built on relationships, not transactions. PeopleFirst means you get a bank that prioritizes relationships, responsiveness, and real-world solutions. We take a team-based approach, getting to know our customers, their businesses and the communities they serve. Our team shows up as trusted advisors who learn your goals, understand your challenges. Our roles isn’t just to support today’s needs, but to help our customers navigate change, plan for growth and move forward with confidence.

76

Net Promoter Score

Measured by Customer Satisfaction and ranked 20 points higher than the industry average.

*Based on 2024-25 survey data

$6B+

In Assets

Serving customers in 22 ND and MN locations — and across the nation through our national lending programs and Banking as a Service.

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Core Values

Better the places we live.
Embrace change and encourage innovation.
Know when to ask for help and when to offer help.
Work hard. Do the right thing. Have a little fun!

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“Our journey forward will be powered by the same resilience that has carried us through our first 25 years. Our team has put in the work and adapted with intention. Strengthened by new talent, and a board committed to safety and long term value, we are charting our course with clarity and confidence – moving forward not just to compete, but to lead.”
–Brian L. Johnson, CEO

Hybrid Banking

Our unique strength is our dual identity: a community bank with deep local relationships and a technology bank through Banking as a Service (BaaS). Together, this not only sets us apart, it promotes community stewardship and the sustainable future of Choice.

Community Banking

As a PeopleFirst community bank, Choice builds relationships that go beyond banking. We believe strong relationships are the foundation of strong financial outcomes. Through a full range of business banking, cash management, ag, wealth management, personal banking, and home loans solutions, we provide insight, tools and guidance to help our customers navigate complexity, plan for what’s next and grow with confidence.

Banking as a Service (BaaS)

As one of a small number of our nation’s banks in this space, since 2017, we’ve provided BaaS solutions by directly integrating our digital banking services into the products of non-bank businesses. We build scalable relationships through a direct-integration model, giving partners flexibility to tailor products by working directly with Choice as both the bank and BaaS service provider.

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Our Leadership

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L to R: Lauris Molbert, Jason Bristow, Cathy Nash, George Wald, John Wernz, Marie Pilai, Brian Johnson, Andrew Jackson, Randy Bryan, Paymon Farazi, Kristi Carlson, Candace Muggerud

Our board of directors brings diverse perspectives across locally-owned organizations and widely-known corporations — and possess a shared commitment to safety and long-term value.

Get to Know the Board Members

Guided by our People First approach, we’re proud our roots are local, decisions are local, and our leadership is local. This is represented in communities throughout our footprint.

Travis Barkve

Chief Strategy Officer & Reg Affairs

Golden Valley, MN

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Lisa Dow

Exec Director of Corporate Relations

Fargo, ND

Dan Dvorak

Chief Legal Counsel

Golden Valley, MN

Barry Fife

Chief Credit Officer

Fargo, ND

John Fritz Headshot

John Fritz

Regional Banking President

O (763) 398-3333

D (763) 398-5824

Crystal Gateley

SVP, Controller

Bloomington, MN

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Tony Gudajtes

Regional Banking President

Grafton, ND

Tim Heilman Headshot

Tim Heilman

Chief Innovation Officer

Fargo, ND

Cheryl Highstreet

Director of BaaS Operations

Tom Jasper Headshot

Tom Jasper

Chief Operating Officer

Golden Valley, MN

Brian Johnson headshot

Brian L. Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Grand Forks, ND

Brian P Johnson Headshot

Brian P. Johnson

Senior Credit Officer

Golden Valley, MN

Jay Lies headshot

Jay Lies

Chief Banking Officer

Fargo, ND

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Samantha Rinas

Chief Human Resources Officer

Grand Forks, ND

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Mandy Sheeley

Chief Operations Officer

Fargo, ND

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Shikhar Singh

Chief Technology Officer

Golden Valley, MN

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Keith Sjostrom

Chief Audit Officer

Golden Valley, MN

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Todd Watterson

Chief Financial Officer

Golden Valley, MN

History

Our History

A century of community banking values and the story of how we became Choice.

Explore the Timeline >

PeopleFirst

#PeopleFirst

See how we put people first through service, culture, and community impact.

See #PeopleFirst >

Team Shirt

Join our team!

We need amazing people to deliver our #PeopleFirst style of banking.

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