Bell Bank plans to expand its Central Minnesota footprint with a branch in the Brainerd–Baxter area..The branch will offer retail and commercial banking, and potentially insurance, wealth management and mortgage services. In the coming months, Bell Bank’s local team will relocate to an interim space, while plans move forward for a permanent branch. The more than $13 billion bank expects to break ground on a newly built, full-service branch in spring 2027, with completion anticipated late that year. Bell Bank, which is based in Fargo, operates a deposit and loan production office in Baxter. The Brainerd/Baxter area is a popular vacation destination. “Brainerd/Baxter fits well with our regional footprint in Minnesota,” said Patrick Chaffee, executive vice president for banking, wealth management and insurance. “It’s a great community with a strong business climate including commercial, small industry, tourism and lake population.”
