Where We Come From

Our #PeopleFirst culture and service started with a rich history more than a century ago.

Embracing Change and Encouraging Innovation

First (and Only) Bank in the Nation

Choice Bank has made history by being the first and only bank to build a direct connection to the FedLine! This connection allows us to send requests directly to the Federal Reserve, allowing us to better process wires for the millions of customers our fintech programs serve. This connection is just the beginning of how we innovate to better serve our customers.

wire icon

2021

Choice Bank Child Care Grant

Communities Begin with Child Care

In 2021, we launched the Choice Bank Child Care Grant to provide funding to rural North Dakota child care facilities. Choice has since distributed $300,000 to 34 rural child care facilities! The Child Care Grant has become an annual opportunity to provide rural child care facilities with the extra support they need to remain resilient.

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kids on schoolbus
PeopleFirst Pantries

Nourishing Our Neighborhoods

Choice Bank partnered with the Legacy Children’s Foundation to help feed our community and build 15 PeopleFirst Pantries that were installed in each community we serve. The pantries are open all the time, no questions asked, helping to fill emergency food service gaps during times when local food pantries are closed.

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pantry illustration
Choice Bank Arts Partnership Grant

Cultivating Community Through Arts

Choice Bank partnered with The Arts Partnership to fund the inaugural Art for All Grant in 2021, which gives nonprofits the financial support to incorporate the arts in their work to benefit underserved populations. This annual grant program has funded projects such as a ceramics workshop that creates confidence in mothers recovering from a substance use disorder and a jingle dress-making class that empowers young women to explore their Indigenous heritage.

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Choice Bank and Arts Partnership logos
$3 Billion in Assets

Growing Strong

Choice reached over $3 billion in assets, making us one of 300 banks in the country that have achieved this monumental milestone.

$3 Billion Graphic
Choice Adds Correspondent Banking Services

Banking for Banks

As a People First bank, we put customers first, even if they aren’t our customers. Our Correspondent Banking services give other community banks the resources to grow with their customers.

Correspondant Banking

Choice Bank Timeline 2020

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Protecting Our Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided vital financial support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Choice secured PPP loans for over 3,000 local businesses, helping to protect more than 53,000 jobs in our communities. For Choice Bank, it truly was a team effort. Out of our 420 Choice employees, 75% worked on some part of the PPP loan process.

Ignite Community Impact Event

Feeding the Flame

At our annual Ignite retreat, Choice team members from across all our locations come together and kick things off with a community impact event. During Ignite, team members displaying exemplary leadership to hear from speakers, collaborate, volunteer, and bring new ideas and inspiration back to their locations.

Minneapolis Unrest Response

Standing By Our Community

Our team members in Minnesota came together to stand by our communities impacted by the 2020 civil unrest in the Minneapolis metro. We donated a total of $2,959.48 to go toward purchasing diapers, household supplies, and food for those in impacted communities. We also provided financial support for our business customers that were affected by the unrest.

MN Unrest
Choice Launches Educations Series

Taking Care of Business

Choice launched the Taking Care of Business Educational Series in 2020, which provides free educational opportunities pertinent to small businesses. Our webinar series features local business leaders providing insight on topics like cybersecurity, tax laws, and diversity in the workplace. In 2021, Choice expanded the Taking Care of Business series to also include a monthly newsletter.

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store hour sign
Launch of the Giving Campaign

Got To Give It Up

In 2020, our North Dakota and Minnesota locations came together for one big charitable event. We combined our support for North Dakota’s Giving Hearts Day and Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day fundraising events into one large Giving Campaign. From sponsoring local charities and matching employee donations, we are excited to help nonprofits create change in our communities.

Choice Bank employees celebrating Giving Hearts Day by wearing red.

Choice Bank Timeline 2019

Launch of the Wishing Well Program

When You Wish Upon a Well

Born from a challenge to come up with a #PeopleFirst idea that would show how much we care for our communities; the Choice Bank Wishing Well Program encouraged individuals in our communities to send in wishes for those they saw as most in need. In its first year, we granted a total of 17 wishes and counting!

SUBMIT A WISH
Choice Bank Wishing Well
Thielen Foundation #PeopleFirst Partnership

Hooked on a Thielen

Built on a partnership of shared values, Choice Bank teamed up with Adam and Caitlin Thielen to support The Thielen Foundation and their mission to inspire and educate youth in our communities through a $300,000 donation commitment and several ongoing fundraising and community events including the annual Thielen Foundation’s Topgolf Classic, fundraiser galas, and youth football camps
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Thielen family supporting Thielen Foundation
Kim Kaufman #PeopleFirst Partnership

Going Global!

We expanded our brand ambassador program to include LPGA Tour Member, Kim Kaufman and embarked on a partnership that will carry our name across the globe.

Kim Kaufman playing in a tournament
Insurance Growth

Even MORE Insurance

Through new insurance partnerships and team members, we developed a stronger insurance presence in both ND and MN and nearly doubled our number of insurance clients in over 40 states. Today we have a team of over ___ servicing ___ individuals and businesses across the US and Canada.

Choice Bank employees socializing
Sacred Heart Partnership

Educating Our Youth

In an effort to help bring more real-world skills into the classroom, we teamed up with Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks to develop curriculum based on personal finance, business, and entrepreneurship.

Employees giving back to their community
Ignite and Community Impact

Shopping for a Cause

As part of an annual leadership retreat – Ignite, over 100 Choice team members filled shopping carts with donations in under an hour to bring back to charities in their communities.

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Employees giving back to their community
A Choice Bank Food Drive

Together, Against Hunger

We joined the Great Plains Food Bank and their mission to end hunger in ND and MN by donating $100,000 and 2,346 pounds of food collected through food drives hosted at each of our locations. To raise the stakes a little more each location put their sculpting skills to the test and competed to see who could make the best food sculpture.

Employees giving back to their community
Growth into Moorhead

Moving into Moorhead

On June 12, we found another place to call home and opened a new location at the newly constructed Block E building complex in Moorhead, MN along with several other commercial tenants in an ongoing effort by the city to help develop the downtown area.

Choice Bank cutting the ribbon at their new Moorhead location.
Top Performing Bank

We are the Champions!

Driven to success through the work of our team members and the support of our customers and communities, Choice is recognized as a Top Performing Community Bank by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) for 5 years in row!

Choice Bank employees toasting with champagne.
Choice named Corporation of the Year by Meda

Championing BIPOC-owned small businesses!

Choice Bank was named 2019 Corporation of the Year by Metropolitan Economic Development Association, a nonprofit organization that helps minority entrepreneurs find success in and around the Twin Cities area.

Choice Bank Timeline 2018

Venture Bank Partnership

Venturing into the Twin Cities

Choice makes great strides in growth and expands into a new market hand-in-hand with Venture Bank—a $750 million commercial bank with 4 locations in the Twin Cities but built on similar values of giving back and putting people first.

Choice Bank employees toasting with champagne.
Special-Edition Debit Cards

Supporting Local Art

Recognizing that the arts play an important role in our thriving communities, Choice partnered up with 3 local artists to feature their work on our #SupportLocalArt Debit MasterCards in support of local arts councils.
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Support local art credit card options.
Choice Bank Rebrand

Same Bank, New Name

Choice Financial becomes Choice Bank, adopting a refreshed name and look to better reflect our modern and growing organization. In an effort to bring clarity to who we are as an organization, our financial divisions are renamed to Choice Wealth, Choice Benefits, Choice Insurance, and Choice Home Loans.

Choice Bank Logo
SBA Director’s Award

We <3 Small Businesses

Choice secures Preferred Lender Status with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), allowing us to help more small businesses in our communities through local servicing and quicker turnaround times. Our efforts did not go unnoticed as we were recognized by the SBA with the Director’s Award for being a Top SBA Lender in North Dakota.

SBA award presentaion
Corporate Leadership in Philanthropy Award

Standing with our Communities

Our #PeopleFirst philosophy goes beyond banking as our organization and its team members find ways to give back whether its volunteering their time or fundraising for a cause. Recognizing our passion for serving our local communities, the Association of Fundraising Professional (AFP) presented Choice with the Corporate Leadership in Philanthropy Award.

CEO, Brian Johnson being presented an award.

Choice Bank Timeline 2017

Launch of Fintech Partnerships

Innovation with Fintech

As technology continues to shape and evolve our everyday lives, Choice is finding unique ways to partner with Fintech companies to drive innovation in the financial services landscape. Our current partners include Lively, Current, and Lili.

Choice Fin

Choice Bank Timeline 2016

Launch of StrengthsFinder

Exploring our Strengths

Introduced at Ignite, our annual leadership retreat, StrengthsFinder helps team members identify their strengths and empowers them to leverage those strengths as a foundation for collaborating with peers, supervisors, and the organization as a whole. Building our individuals strengths leads to bigger successes together.

Samantha Berg presenting at a conference.
BIO Girls #PeopleFirst Partnership

Putting Young Girls First

Choice Bank began a partnership with BIO Girls in 2016 and became an Official BIO Girls Partner in 2022. BIO Girls is a Fargo-based nonprofit with a mission to increase the self-esteem of adolescent girls through a 12-week program of service and empowerment. Choice Bank sponsors full scholarships for low- and moderate-income individuals to participate in this incredible program.

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Bio Girls
Choice Adds Wealth Management

Welcoming Wealth

In 2016, Choice added Wealth Management to our lineup of services. Our Choice Wealth team has since grown to over 20 financial advisors serving the communities of Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Dickinson.

choice wealth logo

Choice Bank Timeline 2015

Defining Our Mission

People First. Banking Second

Choice has always been People First, but it wasn’t until 2017 when we found the perfect words to capture it. People First. Banking Second. With this mission, our approach to financial services starts with your best interests in mind. We work alongside you to achieve your goals and celebrate your growth as an individual or business. Your success is our success.

Choice Bank showing support for their communities through giving back.
Launch of Video Collaboration

And for All to See

Choice launches video collaboration efforts with video phones and video conferencing, making it easier for team members to collaborate effectively across our growing organization.

Employee utilizing Jabber video collaboration.
$1 Billion in Assets

A Thousand Million

Choice catapults over $1 billion in assets and joins less than seven hundred other banks in the country who have achieved such a huge milestone.

$1 Billion in Assets
Benefits Services

More Than just a Bank

Choice Financial Group is committed to putting people first; to be with our clients during all their most significant moments. Continuing this commitment, we begin offering employee benefit services to clients, allowing them to expand on their growth and plans for the future.

Family posing in their new kitchen.
Best Banks to Work for – American Banker

Best of the Best

Highlighted for our values, career development and training, schedule flexibility, and convenient and forward-thinking technology, Choice was named one of the Best Banks to Work For in the nation by American Banker in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Choice Bank employee smiling with a coworker.

Choice Bank Timeline 2014

Great Plains National Bank Partnership

Great Plains = Great Fit

Choice acquires Great Plains National Bank with locations in Dickinson, Belfield, South Heart, Ellendale, and LaMoure.

Great Plains National Bank logo
Bismarck Expansion

Hello, Bismarck!

In less than 90 days, Choice adds a fully FDIC insured bank in Bismarck with an amazing group of team members.

Bismarck Expansion

Choice Bank Timeline 2013

Hospice Events

Hawaii, Hoedowns, and Heroes Oh My!

Initially started in 2013 with humble beginnings in Fargo, our hospice fundraising efforts now involve hundreds of volunteers, dozens of organizations, and thousands of community members across the state. Since starting this initiative, we have expanded our annual hospice events to include Bismarck, Dickinson, and Grand Forks. Together, we have raised over $900,000 for local hospice organizations!

Choice Bank employees enjoying hospice fundraising event.

Choice Bank Timeline 2011

Choice Footprints Was Born

Recognition for our Best

Our Choice Footprints program is an annual recognition and reward program that gives team members the opportunity to nominate their fellow peers whose efforts leave lasting footprints in our organization’s growth and prosperity.

Choice Bank employees performing skits.
The Beginning of our Social Presence

People ‘Like’ Us

Choice joins the world of social media, making our first post on Facebook. Now, you can find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram!

People Like Us
Top Ag Bank

#1 Ag Lender in ND

Our roots in the ag industry continue to remain strong. With the support of our ag customers support, we have been continuously recognized as a Top Ag Lender in North Dakota since 2011.

Employee meeting with Agriculture Customer.

Choice Bank Timeline 2010

HSA Program Launch

One Nation, Under Choice

Our Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have allowed us to provide service to customers in all 50 states!

HSA Programs

Choice Bank Timeline 2008

Choice Health & Fitness Partnership

A Healthy Community Partner

Choice Financial sponsors the naming rights to Choice Health & Fitness—the state’s largest health & wellness facility. The facility would go on to officially open its doors to the Grand Forks community in 2012.

Choice Health and Fitness building.
$500 Million in Assets

Oh, We’re Halfway There!

Choice reaches $500 million in assets—a significant milestone in our bank’s history.

500 Million in Assets

Choice Bank Timeline 2006

Fargo Expansion

Welcome to Fargo

To complement our West Fargo location, Choice expands with a location in Fargo.

Welcome to Fargo!

Choice Bank Timeline 2004

Grand Forks Expansion

A Home in Grand Forks

In 2004, we added our first location in Grand Forks, followed by a second in 2008. The copper roof became a signature element to the design of our North Dakota locations.

Choice Bank location with Choice Financial signage.

Choice Bank Timeline 2002

The Choice Anniversary Party

A Tradition is Born

Every year our team members gather together for an evening of wining, dining, and fun at the annual Choice Anniversary Party. It’s a chance for our Choice family to celebrate all our hard work and achievements throughout the year.

Choice Bank Anniversary Party

Choice Bank Timeline 2001

Choice Financial Group was Born

A New Bank with Longtime Roots

The beginning of Choice Financial started with a small group of people from four different banks with community roots stemming back over 100 years and $150 million in assets. United by a shared set of values, they came together as one to form an organization with a passion for putting people first.

Choice Financial logo.