Bell Bank

Bell Bank was founded as State Bank of Fargo in 1966{{Cite web |date=2014-12-27 |title=Son Succeeding Father As Bell State Bank & Trust CEO |url=https://tcbmag.com/son-succeeding-father-as-bell-state-bank-trust-ceo/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Twin Cities Business |language=en-US}} as a single location in the Northport Shopping Center in Fargo.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-29 |title=Bell State Bank and Trust simplifies name |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/bell-state-bank-and-trust-simplifies-name |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}} Thomas "Buck" Snortland was one of the company's founders.{{Cite web |title=Bob Buth, President Bell State Bank |url=https://www.thefmextra.com:443/bob-buth-president-bell-state-bank/ |access-date=2023-05-19}}

In 2003, the bank bought Northern Capital Trust, a trust company and flex spending adjudication business.{{Cite news |title=Solberg father, son named 2012 Bankers of Year |url=http://www.inforum.com/content/solberg-father-son-named-2012-bankers-year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141734/http://www.inforum.com/content/solberg-father-son-named-2012-bankers-year |archive-date=2018-06-12 |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en |url-status=live }} Richard Solberg, who was then the bank's president and CEO, had served on the board of directors for Northern Capital Trust since the company was established—16 years before the merger.{{Cite news |title=Fargo financial institutions join |url=http://www.inforum.com/content/fargo-financial-institutions-join |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222062129/http://www.inforum.com/content/fargo-financial-institutions-join |archive-date=2017-12-22 |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en |url-status=live }}

Not long after the merger, Bell created a spin-off company called Discovery Benefits,{{Cite web |date= |title=Discovery Benefits, Inc. |url=https://www.discoverybenefits.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314025700/https://www.discoverybenefits.com/ |archive-date=2008-03-14 |access-date= |website=www.discoverybenefits.com}} which administers flexible benefits, COBRA and health savings accounts. Bell also started HealthcareBank, one of the largest health care savings account banks and a client of Discovery Benefits. In 2019, State Bankshares announced plans to sell Discovery Benefits for $425 million to Wex Inc., a South Portland, Maine-based payment processing and business solutions provider. In 2021, Bell and WEX agreed to WEX's acquisition of certain HSA assets of HealthcareBank.{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Patrick Kennedy Star |title=Bell Bank's parent company sells Fargo-based sister company for $425 million |url=https://www.startribune.com/bell-bank-s-parent-company-sells-fargo-based-sister-company-for-425-million/504505032/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Star Tribune|date=18 January 2019 }}

In 2011, the company acquired Minneapolis-based Bell Mortgage, expanding its reach into the Twin Cities and Phoenix, Ariz. The company changed its name from State Bank & Trust to Bell State Bank & Trust in 2012{{Cite web |title=State Bank Trust to Buy Downtown Fargo Building |url=http://www.inforum.com/content/state-bank-trust-buy-downtown-fargo-building |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=www.inforum.com}} and to Bell Bank in Aug., 2016. In 2013, Bell acquired Minneapolis-based The Business Bank and its Prime Mortgage Division.{{Cite web |title=Prairie Business |url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/prairie-business |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Grand Forks Herald |language=en}} Bell Bank Mortgage expanded its offices into Wisconsin and New Mexico in 2018,{{Cite web |last=Gawarecki |first=Mara |date=2018-08-28 |title=Bell expands in Wisconsin with mortgage acquisition |url=https://bankbeat.biz/bell-expands-in-wisconsin-with-mortgage-acquisition/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=BankBeat |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=North Dakota bank to open mortgage office in Uptown |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2019/05/03/bell-bank-mortgage-open-new-mexico.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} Florida, Missouri and Tennessee in 2019,{{Cite web |date=2020-07-10 |title=Leading Lenders Series: Bell Bank Mortgage |url=https://www.orlandomagazine.com/leading-lenders-series-bell-bank-mortgage/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Orlando Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ojha |first=Radhika |title=Bell Bank Mortgage Appoints Regional Head |url=https://dsnews.com/news/09-18-2019/bell-bank-mortgage-appoints-regional-head |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=DSNews |language=en-US}} and Kansas in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Aurellano |first=Arnie |date=2020-05-08 |title=Notable mortgage industry hires and promotions, April 27-May 8 |url=https://www.scotsmanguide.com/news/power-moves-for-may-8/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Scotsman Guide |language=en-US}}

Bell launched an equipment finance division in Minneapolis in 2018, to serve the manufacturing, transportation, construction and agriculture industries.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=William |date=2018-10-08 |title=Bell Bank launches equipment finance unit in Minneapolis {{!}} Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2018/10/bell-bank-launches-equipment-finance-unit-in-minneapolis/,%20https://finance-commerce.com/2018/10/bell-bank-launches-equipment-finance-unit-in-minneapolis/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Bell signed a purchase agreement to buy Warner and Company Insurance in Fargo, Schiller Insurance in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and Thompson-Schaefer Insurance Agency in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and rebranded them as Bell Insurance.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-23 |title=Bell Bank to purchase Fargo-based Warner and Company Insurance and its subsidiaries in Grand Forks and Detroit Lakes |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/bell-bank-to-purchase-fargo-based-warner-and-company-insurance-and-its-subsidiaries-in-grand-forks-and-detroit-lakes |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}} File:Bell Bank Chandler, Ariz. Branch.jpg

Bell opened its first full-service bank branch in Arizona—in the city of Chandler, Arizona—in 2019,{{Cite web |title=Ribbon Cutting for Bell Bank |url=https://business.chandlerchamber.com/events/details/ribbon-cutting-for-bell-bank-35901 |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en-US}} and its second in Phoenix – Biltmore in 2020.{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank opens new Biltmore-area branch; Western State Bank eyes new North Phoenix location |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2021/05/27/bell-bank-opens-new-branch-western-state-bank.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}

In 2020, Bell expanded into Forest Lake, Minn.,{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank Opens New Branch in Forest Lake MN |url=https://bell.bank/news/bell-bank-opens-new-branch-in-forest-lake-mn |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=bell.bank |language=en}} and Duluth, Minn., renovating and occupying the downtown Temple Opera Building.{{Cite web |last=Busche |first=Kelly |date=2020-03-10 |title=Bell Bank renovating, moving to Duluth's Temple Opera Building |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/bell-bank-renovating-moving-to-duluths-temple-opera-building |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Duluth News Tribune |language=en}}

In 2021, Bell opened a branch in downtown Minneapolis' City Center{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank outlines plans for City Center branch in downtown Minneapolis |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2021/04/27/bell-bank-opening-branch-in-downtown-minneapolis.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} and announced its entrance into the Denver market.{{Cite web |title=Experienced Banker Kern Hired to Lead Bell Bank Expansion into Denver - News {{!}} Equipment Finance Advisor |url=https://www.equipmentfa.com/news/33034/experienced-banker-kern-hired-to-lead-bell-bank-expansion-into-denver |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.equipmentfa.com}} Bell also purchased a 12-story building at 520 Main Ave. in downtown Fargo, which will reopen in 2024 after a full remodeling as Bell’s new headquarters.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=$100 million Bell Tower marching toward completion as generational project for Bell Bank |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/100-million-bell-tower-marching-toward-completion-as-generational-project-for-bell-bank |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=InForum |language=en}}

In 2022, Bell finalized its building lease for a new mortgage servicing center in Owensboro, Ky.{{Cite web |last=Kight |first=Adam |date=2022-05-17 |title=Bell Bank finalizes lease for new location in Owensboro |url=https://www.wevv.com/news/bell-bank-finalizes-lease-for-new-location-in-owensboro/article_73367572-d61d-11ec-8b6f-8b9d2b5e994b.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=WEVV 44News |language=en}} Bell also launched Bell Business Credit, a specialty lending team providing asset-based lending and factoring services for working capital intensive companies.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-11-16 |title=Bell Bank establishes Bell Business Credit |url=https://azbigmedia.com/business/bell-bank-establishes-bell-business-credit/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=AZ Big Media}}

In 2024, Bell opened Bell Tower,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-30 |title=Bell Bank opens new headquarters building in downtown Fargo |url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/prairie-business/bell-bank-opens-new-headquarters-building-in-downtown-fargo |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Grand Forks Herald}} its new, 190,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in downtown Fargo.

Bell has a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial, an independent bank research firm. Based on financial data from federal regulators, a 5-star rating, the highest rating the firm awards, means a bank is financially sound and is operating well above its capital requirements.{{Cite web |title=Star Ratings |url=https://www.bauerfinancial.com/star-ratings/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=BauerFinancial |language=en-US}}

The company plans to remain privately owned.

File:Bell Bank President & CEO Michael Solberg.jpg

Michael Solberg is Bell Bank's president, and the third CEO in the company's history. He was named CEO in 2014, succeeding his father, Richard Solberg, who had been CEO since 1982.

Michael Solberg was named chief operating officer in 2004 and president in 2009. He started with the company in 1998 after graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-17 |title=Bell State Bank & Trust Names New CEO |url=http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Bell-State-Bank--Trust-Names-New-CEO-286085881.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703013833/http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Bell-State-Bank--Trust-Names-New-CEO-286085881.html |archive-date=2015-07-03 |access-date= |website=www.valleynewslive.com}} He grew up in Finley, North Dakota, and Fargo.

Richard Solberg is the board chairman and a company shareholder. The bank is owned by about 70 shareholders, with a majority stake held by the families of Richard Solberg, Michael Solberg, Julie Snortland and Laura Snortland Fairfield.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-23 |title=Bell Bank to offer stock ownership plan to employees |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/bell-bank-to-offer-stock-ownership-plan-to-employees |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}} Other major shareholders have included Thomas "Buck" Snortland and his son, Thomas "Mickey" Snortland, both farmers from Sharon, North Dakota.

Thomas "Mickey" Snortland, who was also a longtime director of the bank, died in 2013 of an apparent heart attack.{{Cite news |title=Bell State Bank & Trust majority stockholder dies |url=http://www.inforum.com/content/bell-state-bank-trust-majority-stockholder-dies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222061850/http://www.inforum.com/content/bell-state-bank-trust-majority-stockholder-dies |archive-date=2017-12-22 |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=en |url-status=live }}

Before working for what was then State Bank of Fargo, Richard Solberg was president of Citizens State Bank in Finley, where he grew up. He also graduated from Concordia College. Under Richard Solberg's leadership, the bank grew from a single location with $28 million in assets to 20 branches in North Dakota and Minnesota with more than $3 billion in assets. In 2022, Richard Solberg received the Legacy Leader Award from the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

NorthWestern Financial Review named Richard and Michael Solberg Bankers of the Year in 2012.

Additional executive leadership includes: Patrick Chaffee, EVP/banking, wealth management & insurance,{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-06-08 |title=Bell Bank rolls out 'Big Blue Bus' for on-the-go access to banking services |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/bell-bank-rolls-out-big-blue-bus-for-on-the-go-access-to-banking-services |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}} Todd Lee, EVP/banking & commercial lending administration,{{Cite web |title=North Dakota's largest bank is fueled by growth in Twin Cities |url=https://www.startribune.com/north-dakotas-largest-bank-is-fueled-by-growth-in-twin-cities/600119340/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Star Tribune|date=21 November 2021 }} Laine Brantner, EVP/chief operating officer, Julie Peterson Klein, EVP/chief of staff and chief culture officer,{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=Insights & Intuition |url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/prairie-business/insights-intuition-2 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Grand Forks Herald |language=en}} Tony Weick, EVP/Bell Bank Mortgage president,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-01-28 |title=Interview: Tony Weick, president, Bell Bank Mortgage {{!}} Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2022/01/interview-tony-weick-president-bell-bank-mortgage/,%20https://finance-commerce.com/2022/01/interview-tony-weick-president-bell-bank-mortgage/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en-US}} Lynn Johnson, EVP/retail banking,{{Cite web |date=2018-11-27 |title=Best of the Red River Valley: Best Customer Service |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/best-of-the-red-river-valley-best-customer-service |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}} Jon Aarsvold, EVP/chief credit officer,{{Cite web |date=2016-02-13 |title=Hires and promotions (Feb. 13, 2016) |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/hires-and-promotions-feb-13-2016 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}} Jenny Senecal, EVP/deputy chief credit officer{{Cite web |last=Busche |first=Kelly |date=2021-07-28 |title=Bell Bank names Senecal as deputy chief credit officer {{!}} Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2021/07/bell-bank-names-senecal-as-deputy-chief-credit-officer/,%20https://finance-commerce.com/2021/07/bell-bank-names-senecal-as-deputy-chief-credit-officer/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en-US}} Jena Cogswell, EVP/chief marketing officer,{{Cite web |last=Duggan |first=J. D. |date=2022-11-02 |title=Jena Cogswell joins executive team at Bell Bank {{!}} Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2022/11/cogswell-joins-executive-team-at-bell-bank/,%20https://finance-commerce.com/2022/11/cogswell-joins-executive-team-at-bell-bank/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |language=en-US}} Tim Gelinske, EVP/strategic initiatives and partnerships,{{Cite web |date=2022-11-20 |title=Business People: Nelly Chick, formerly with Port Authority, joins Meda as controller |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/11/20/business-people-nelly-chick-formerly-with-port-authority-joins-meda-as-controller/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}} Blake Nelson, EVP/chief financial officer,{{Cite web |title=Longtime CFO Retires at Bell Bank; CFO and Controller Named - News {{!}} Equipment Finance Advisor |url=https://www.equipmentfa.com/news/31748/longtime-cfo-retires-at-bell-bank-cfo-and-controller-named |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.equipmentfa.com}} Gary Inman, EVP/information systems manager, and Jesse Schwab, EVP/chief risk officer.{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank Hires Schwab as Chief Risk Officer |url=https://www.monitordaily.com/news-posts/bell-bank-hires-schwab-as-chief-risk-officer/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Monitordaily |date=11 November 2020 |language=en-US}}

Several media outlets, including USA Today, People magazine and the BBC have written stories about Bell Bank's culture.{{Cite web |title=Michael Solberg |url=https://www.bushfoundation.org/michael-solberg |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Bush Foundation |language=en}} Bell's mission statement is Happy Employees! Happy Customers!{{Cite web |last=Wieck |first=Angie |date=2012-02-02 |title=Solberg father, son named 2012 Bankers of Year |url=http://www.inforum.com/content/solberg-father-son-named-2012-bankers-year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921005829/http://www.inforum.com/content/solberg-father-son-named-2012-bankers-year |archive-date=2016-09-21 |access-date= |website=www.inforum.com}} Michael Solberg says the bank's growth and profits are due to the way the company treats its employees.{{Cite web |date=2015-08-26 |title=No. 8: Bell State Bank & Trust |url=https://www.americanbanker.com/news/no-8-bell-state-bank-amp-trust |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=American Banker |language=en}} In 2016, Bell announced it would make an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) part of employees' retirement benefits. A portion of each employee's retirement funds will be invested in State Bankshares stock.

Bell Bank has been recognized with multiple awards.

Fortune magazine named Bell to its list of 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2022,{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank |url=https://fortune.com/company/bell-bank/best-companies/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Fortune |language=en}} and the Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019; Best Workplaces for Women in 2023,{{Cite web |title=Fortune Best Workplaces for Women™ 2023 |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/women/2023 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Great Place To Work® |language=en-us}} 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019; Best Workplaces for Millennials in 2023,{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank {{!}} 2023 Best Workplaces for Millennials |url=https://fortune.com/ranking/best-workplaces-millennials/2023/bell-bank/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Fortune |language=en}} 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019; and Best Workplaces for Parents in 2021 and 2020.{{Cite web |last=Work |first=Great Place to |title=Working at Bell Bank |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/1286727 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Great Place To Work® |language=en-us}}

Bell ranked 8th on People magazine's list of 100 Companies That Care,{{Cite web |title=PEOPLE's 100 Companies That Care in 2023: Meet the Employers Putting Their Communities First |url=https://people.com/human-interest-people-100-companies-that-care-7749999 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} 32nd in 2022{{Cite web |last= |title=PEOPLE's 100 Companies that Care 2022: Meet the Employers Putting Their Communities First |url=https://people.com/human-interest/people-100-companies-that-care-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} and 87th in 2021.{{Cite web |last= |title=PEOPLE's 100 Companies That Care 2021: Meet the Employers Putting Their Communities First |url=https://people.com/human-interest/people-100-companies-that-care-2021/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}

Forbes ranked Bell among the World's Best Banks and Best-in-State bank for North Dakota in 2023{{Cite web |last=PEACHMAN" |first="RACHEL RABKIN |title=America's Best Banks In Each State 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-banks/ |website=Forbes |language=en}} and 2020.{{Cite web |last=SCHWARZ" |first="ALAN |title=The World's Best Banks 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/worlds-best-banks/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}} In 2019, Forbes ranked Bell among the World's Best Banks and second in U.S.-only banks.{{Cite web |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |title=The World's Best Banks: ING And Citibank Lead The Way |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2019/03/04/the-worlds-best-banks-ing-and-citibank-lead-the-way/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}} In 2018, Forbes named Bell Best Bank in North Dakota and Minnesota.{{Cite web |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |title=The Best Banks And Credit Unions In Every State |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2018/06/28/the-best-banks-and-credit-unions-in-every-state/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

American Banker Magazine named Bell No. 3 on its Best Banks to Work For list in 2022{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-11-15 |title=Best Banks to Work For 2022 |url=https://www.americanbanker.com/list/best-banks-to-work-for |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=American Banker |language=en}} and No. 1 in 2021. Bell also made the magazine’s list in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.{{Cite web |last= |last2= |last3= |date=2021-11-10 |title=The Best Banks to Work For — over $10 billion of assets |url=https://www.americanbanker.com/list/the-best-banks-to-work-for-over-10-billion-of-assets |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=American Banker |language=en}}

Star Tribune Media Co. named Bell the No. 2 large workplace in 2023{{Cite web |title=Is your employer on the 2023 list of Minnesota's Top Workplaces? |url=https://www.startribune.com/top-workplaces-minnesota-ranking-twin-cities/600279425/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Star Tribune}} and 2022

{{Cite web |title=Top Workplaces 2023 |url=https://www.startribune.com/top-workplaces-2022/pkg-top-workplaces-2020/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Star Tribune}} and No. 2 large workplace and top banking workplace in Minnesota in 2021{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Star Tribune |date=2021-06-17 |title=Ranking Minnesota's 175 Top Workplaces |url=https://www.startribune.com/ranking-minnesotas-175-top-workplaces/600068589 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.startribune.com |language=en}} and has included Bell on the StarTribune's Top Workplaces list every year since 2011.{{Cite web |title=Bell Bank Profile |url=https://topworkplaces.com/company/state-bank-trust/startribune/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Top Workplaces |language=en}} In 2016, the media company also recognized Bell with an ethics award.{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Katy Read Star |title=Top Workplaces: Special Awards 2016 |url=https://www.startribune.com/top-workplaces-special-awards-2016/384175711/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Star Tribune|date=24 June 2016 }}

Part of Bell Bank's culture is its Pay It Forward program, which Michael Solberg started in 2007.{{Cite web |date=2007-12-18 |title=State Bank's 'Pay It Forward' initiative receiving worldwide media attention |url=http://www.inforum.com/content/state-banks-pay-it-forward-initiative-receiving-worldwide-media-attention |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921015241/http://www.inforum.com/content/state-banks-pay-it-forward-initiative-receiving-worldwide-media-attention |archive-date=2016-09-21 |access-date= |website=www.inforum.com}} The program gives full-time employees $1,000 and part-time employees $500 each year to give to people and organizations in need. Bell has given more than $25 million in employee-driven charitable giving since launching.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-02-08 |title=Bell Bank celebrates 15 years of Paying It Forward program and $25M in donations |url=https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/bell-bank-celebrates-15-years-of-paying-it-forward-program-and-25m-in-donations |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}}

In 2022, Bell launched a “Big Blue Bus” that will bring banking, mortgage and financial planning resources into neighborhoods throughout the company’s geographic area. Bell also co-hosted a “shark tank” style accelerator called Get Down to Business with The Get Down Coffee Co. and Neighborhood Development Center at the 3M Open, where they gave away $100,000 to three diverse entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. The grants were funded by Bell Bank and 3M Open Fund and facilitated by Neighborhood Development Center.{{Cite web |title=3M Open business accelerator event awards $100,000 to three Twin Cities diverse-owned small businesses |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/inno/stories/awards/2022/07/19/3m-open-event-funds-three-minority-businesses.html |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}

Bell has formed partnerships with athletes and other celebrities with North Dakota and Minnesota ties. Some of them work with Bell on charitable causes.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-22 |title=Gophers coach Whalen signs endorsement deal with Bell Bank |url=https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/business/announcements/4560324-gophers-coach-whalen-signs-endorsement-deal-bell-bank |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124011642/https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/business/announcements/4560324-gophers-coach-whalen-signs-endorsement-deal-bell-bank |archive-date=2019-01-24 |access-date= |website=Bemidji Pioneer}}

They include:

• Larry Fitzgerald Jr., philanthropist and former NFL player{{Cite web |title=Former Arizona Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald inks new endorsement deal with Bell Bank |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2022/04/26/larry-fitzgerald-inks-bell-bank-endorsement.html?ana=knxv |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}
• Josh Duhamel, American actor and former fashion model{{Cite web |last=Stotts |first=Ryan |date=2020-07-21 |title=Actor Josh Duhamel signs deal to become brand ambassador for Bell Bank |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/actor-josh-duhamel-signs-deal-to-become-brand-ambassador-for-bell-bank |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}}
• Ben Johnson (basketball), college basketball coach{{Cite web |date=2022-02-20 |title=Business People: United Theological Seminary names Molly T. Marshall permanent president |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/02/20/business-people-united-theological-seminary-names-molly-t-marshall-permanent-president/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}}
• Marney Gellner, Minnesota sports broadcaster{{Cite web |date=2021-05-16 |title=Business People: Xcel's Energy's Ben Fowke to retire as CEO |url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/05/16/business-people-xcels-energys-ben-fowke-to-retire-as-ceo/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}}
• Matt Cullen, retired American NHL player{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-10-01 |title=Matt Cullen signs endorsement deal with Bell Bank |url=https://www.inforum.com/business/matt-cullen-signs-endorsement-deal-with-bell-bank |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=InForum |language=en}}
• Ben Leber, retired Minnesota Vikings linebacker and sports radio personality{{Cite web |date=2019-10-07 |title=Business People: Bausch, Himle named to Canterbury Park board |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/10/06/business-people-bausch-himle-named-to-canterbury-park-board/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}}
• Gavin Kaysen, James Beard Award-winning chef, who owns three Minneapolis restaurants{{Cite web |date=2020-02-03 |title=Business People: U.S. Bank vice chair Godridge to retire |url=https://www.twincities.com/2020/02/02/business-people-sunday-feb-2/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}}
• Mark Tarbell, chef, restaurateur, wine columnist, Iron Chef America winner and two-time inductee into the Arizona Hall of Culinary Fame{{Cite web |title=Bell Champion Mark Tarbell |url=https://bell.bank/news/bell-champion-mark-tarbell |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=bell.bank |language=en}}
• Lindsay Whalen, University of Minnesota women's basketball coach and former Minnesota Lynx women's basketball player
• Tyus Jones, American professional basketball player
• Chris Hawkey, country music artist and sports radio personality
• Amy Olson, American professional golfer
• Tom Hoge, American professional golfer
• Branden Scheel, American triathleteBSCHEELTRI http://www.bscheeltri.com/about.html {{dead link|date=November 2024}}
• Minnesota United FC, an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Jack White Star |title=Minnesota United, Bell Bank announce gate partnership, charity support |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-bell-bank-announce-gate-partnership-charity-support/480042193/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Star Tribune|date=17 April 2018 }}
• Arizona Cardinals, an American professional football team based in the Phoenix area{{Cite web |date=2023-09-18 |title=Bell Bank becomes the official bank of Arizona Cardinals |url=https://azbigmedia.com/business/bell-bank-becomes-the-official-bank-of-the-arizona-cardinals/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=AZ Big Media |language=en-US}}

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Category:Banks based in North Dakota

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Category:1966 establishments in North Dakota

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Category:Banks established in 1966

Category:Mortgage lenders of the United States

Category:Insurance companies of the United States