Bremer Bank Names New Twin Cities President/CEO
St. Paul, Minn. – June 1, 2012 - Bremer Bank has announced that long-time banker Jeanne Crain has been named President/CEO, with responsibility for Bremer’s Twin Cities banking group. Crain has nearly 30 years of community banking experience, working in a variety of roles in commercial and retail banking, as well as private client services. In her new role, Crain will be responsible for providing leadership to a banking group with $2.7 billion in assets, 27 locations and more than 300 employees.
“The Twin Cities is a critically important market to Bremer,” said Group President Kevin Powers. “Jeanne is a seasoned banking professional, possessing both strong knowledge of the Twin Cities market, coupled with a deep understanding of the role community banking plays.”
For the past two years, Crain served as president for M&I/BMO Harris Bank’s Minnesota region. Crain’s tenure with M&I began in 2007 when she joined to lead the company’s Twin Cities business banking division, after serving as EVP of Private and Commercial Banking for Excel Bank. Prior to that, she served as President and CEO of Marquette Capital Bank. Earlier banking stints included Bank One Milwaukee, where she worked in the Private Banking Group, and five years in commercial banking with First Bank Grand Forks.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to work for such a unique organization,” said Crain. “Bremer’s civic-minded approach to business is refreshing in today’s environment. I look forward to contributing to the growth of our commercial banking business, while also maintaining a robust retail presence in this market.”
Crain is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, with a MBA from Marquette University. Active in the community, she serves on the board of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), chairs the Basilica of St. Mary Investment Committee, and is an advisory Board member of Women’s Business Development Center of MN. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named ‘Women’s Business Advocate of 2011’ by the Women’s Business Development Center of MN; receiving the ‘Women in Business Industry Leader Award’ in 2010 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal; and earning the ‘Top Women in Finance Circle of Excellence Award’ in 2010 from Finance and Commerce.
“We are exceptionally fortunate to have someone with Jeanne’s commitment to the community joining our team,” said Powers. “Bremer is committed to building healthy communities through partnerships and Jeanne has demonstrated that same commitment in the volunteer roles she has taken on in the Metro.” Crain will assume her new role in mid-June.
Bremer Financial Corporation
Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $8.1 billion regional financial services company owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation (OBF). Founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, the company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and provides a comprehensive range of banking, investment, trust and insurance services to its nearly 100 locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. OBF uses its share of dividends to distribute charitable grants to Bremer Bank communities. In 2011, more than $30 million in charitable donations were given across the Bremer footprint and employees donated more than 100,000 volunteer hours to their communities. For more information, go to bremer.com.