- About Us
We're here to help you thrive and grow
Bremer Bank has roots in the places where we live and work that go back to 1943, and a history of stepping up for our customers and communities that begins with our founder. Otto Bremer believed that if banks helped businesses in good times and bad, communities would thrive. Today, we’re proud to work with the people who grow our food, build our economy, and serve our neighbors. We offer banking, mortgage, investment, wealth management, trust and insurance in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. We’re here to help you solve your toughest problems, seize your biggest opportunities, and achieve success on your terms, now and in the future.
Ready for What's Next
$16b
Privately held regional financial services company
1943
Founded to serve customers and communities in our region.
$980m+
dividends paid to the Otto Bremer Trust since 1989.
Cultivating Thriving Communities
Our Purpose establishes not just who we want to be or what we want to do, but why we want to do it in the first place — for our customers, for our communities, and for each other.
Our Values
Collaboration
We work elbow to elbow with our customers, making a difference for them in good times and bad. We share our skills, knowledge and experience to support each other every day.
Commitment
We’re deeply invested in the places we live and work, and we’re always ready to do whatever it takes to help our neighbors and communities thrive and grow.
Creativity
Imagination and innovation are essential to our customers’ success, and our own. If there’s a better way to do something, we’ll find it or create it.
Proud to be named one of the World's Best Banks
In a survey of more than 40,000 bank customers around the globe, Bremer Bank emerged as one of the best banks in the world based on general satisfaction, customer trust, financial advice and more.
Our Executive Team
Jeanne Crain
President and CEO
As CEO since November 2016, Jeanne has combined her extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to advance the company’s strategy and performance.
Keith Ahrendt
Chief Credit Officer
With decades of broad banking experience, Keith brings valuable perspective and oversight to Bremer’s lending practices and services.
Mitch Bleske
Chief Operating Officer
With broad oversight of financial management and relationship management, Mitch has helped Bremer pursue new lines of business and customer-focused strategies that are propelling profitable growth.
Meghan Brown
Chief People and Culture Officer
Known for her innovative thinking and authenticity as a leader, Meghan is passionate about advancing Bremer’s culture of collaboration and trust to elevate organizational performance.
Justin Butler
EVP and Chief Risk Officer
As Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Justin is responsible for defining and implementing standards for risk identification, management, measurement, monitoring and reporting.
Colette Campbell
Chief Talent Acquisition and Diversity Officer
Colette designs and implements Bremer's talent acquisition function, while also directing and executing strategies to advance an inclusive, equitable and diverse workforce.
Erin Dady
Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer
Driven by her belief that the world’s problems will be solved at the intersection of the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Erin brings diverse sector experience to her role at Bremer.
Dan Flaningan
Chief Product and Innovation Officer
As Bremer’s Chief Product and Innovation Officer, Dan Flaningan is responsible for managing the lifecycle of products at Bremer including the vision, innovation, design, development, and delivery.
Travis Hoaglund
EVP, Financial Solutions
Travis oversees the strategy and operations of Bremer's business line services including insurance, investments, wealth and retirement plan services.
Tim Kocher
Director of Operations
Tim is an experienced financial professional who serves as Director of Operations at Bremer, overseeing all of Bremer’s credit analyst, portfolio management, collateral management and banker support teams.
Ginny Kremer
EVP and Chief Compliance Regulatory and Governance Officer
Ginny brings a deep understanding of risk management to significantly improve the organization’s risk awareness, capabilities, reporting and control processes.
Nate Norrgard
Chief Technology Officer
As Chief Technology Officer, Nate Norrgard oversees all data and technology projects at Bremer, ensuring that digital solutions meet the consistently evolving needs of bank employees and customers.
Tom Rickers
EVP, Consumer Banking and Mortgage
Tom is dedicated to delivering financial solutions and service to Bremer’s individual customers and overseeing the operations that support all of Bremer’s banking clients.
John Sikora
Chief Financial Officer
John is responsible for financial management activities, including financial and regulatory reporting, accounting and tax, corporate treasury, and capital.
About Otto Bremer
Otto Bremer came to Minnesota as a German immigrant in 1886 seeking opportunities for a good life. Over the next 36 years, he worked his way up to become chairman of the American National Bank and a dedicated community leader involved in civic, financial, and corporate life. Bremer’s financial acumen led to investments in many independent rural banks in the Upper Midwest. During the Great Depression, Bremer liquidated many of his personal assets to strengthen these banks and help them ride out hard times. He believed that people could survive and flourish if they had help at critical times. For all his success, Otto did not forget the strengths and hardships of the rural and immigrant experience. His concern for those working to make their lives better, coupled with his commitment to the local banks, became the cornerstone of his long-term vision. In 1943, Otto created Bremer Bank as a bank holding company to consolidate his stake in the community banks, giving the banks the advantage of acting as a group.
The Otto Bremer Trust
In 1944, Otto Bremer established a charitable trust to perpetuate his life’s work of combining finance and philanthropy for the benefit of people living in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. His vision and longstanding commitment to enhance the quality of life in communities during and after the Great Depression endure today through the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT). OBT's mission is to invest in people, places, and opportunities in the Upper Midwest.
OBT is also a bank-holding company that manages a diversified investment portfolio, including 92 percent ownership of Bremer Bank. The returns on these investments provide the resources to fulfill the Trust’s mission. Over its history, OBT has made more than $700 million in grants and program-related investments to more than 3,200 organizations in the three-state area.