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 Hybrid Model Leadership

About Choice

Choice Mark or logo

Choice Bank was born in 2001

with a simple focus: to 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 and understand your challenges. Our role isn’t just to support today’s needs, but to help our customers navigate change, plan for growth, and move forward with confidence.

76 NPS

76

Net Promoter Score*

Our customers consistently rank us 20+ points above the industry average in customer service.
*Based on 2024–25 survey data

choice flag

$6B+

In Assets**

Serving customers in 22 ND and MN locations—and across the nation through national lending programs and Banking as a Service.
**As of 12/31/25

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!

“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.

“Choice has always provided a high-level of customer support and service for me personally, and the business I’m a part of. They are always open to feedback and approach each situation with a listening ear to understand the need before offering recommendations.”
– CHOICE BANK CUSTOMER, 2025

Banking as a Service (BaaS)

As one of a small number of our nation’s banks in this space, we’ve provided BaaS solutions since 2017 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.

The Foundation Behind Fintech

BaaS Iceberg What Fintech Customers See
Fintech User Experience
Product Experience
Customer Service
.
How Choice Bank Powers It
Direct Integrations
Digital Money Movement
Risk & Regulatory
Oversight

Our Leadership

Board of Directors

Leadership Team

BOD Composite

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 from locally owned organizations and widely known corporations — and shares a commitment to safety and long-term value.

Get to Know the Board Members

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