ABOUT CONTACT NEWS LOCATIONS BANKING LOGIN Home (current) Bank Insure Invest Tax Foundation OUR HISTORY COMMUNITIES OUR APPROACH "Take care of the customer," a formula we've kept since 1927 ABOUT BANK FORWARD We got our start as a small business, a small bank in a small town, in 1927. Our founder, A. C. Brown had a simple formula for success, “Take care of the customer!” It’s a promise we’ve kept for 90 years and one we intend to stick to. Bank Forward in THE EARLY YEARS In 1927, A. C. Brown founds Security State Bank of Hannaford with $25,000 in assets. He purchases a stone building and furnishings for $4,000. W. O. “Bill” Brown joined A. C. Brown and two other employees in 1948. Son Mark joins Bill in 1975. ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 1977, THE BANK HELD $9.5 MILLION IN ASSETS. TOGETHER WE’RE STRONG Banks in Wimbledon (1979) and New Rockford (1991) are acquired. In 1991, the three banks merge to become Security State Bank of North Dakota and Mark Brown becomes President. A bank in Carrington is purchased and a charter to open a branch in Cooperstown is obtained on the same day in 1993. A branch in Jamestown is opened in 1995. A bank branch opens in Valley City in 1998. GROWING On its 75th anniversary in 2000, Security State Bank of North Dakota celebrates with 100 employees and $160 million in assets. The Brown family expanded ownership to employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 2000. In 2003, Mark becomes CEO and Tom Watson becomes President. In 2006, a bank in Walker is acquired. BANK FORWARD’S BIG YEAR In 2007, Security State Bank of North Dakota changes its name to Bank Forward. Bank branches in Grand Forks and Bemidji are opened. Three insurance agencies are acquired: IPS Incorporated in Bemidji, FPM Insurance Agency, Inc. with offices in Fargo and Grand Forks, and Insure Forward with offices in Hannaford, New Rockford, Cooperstown, Carrington, Jamestown and Valley City. They consolidate as Insure Forward in 2008. In 2008, Tax Forward is established with the acquisition of Rene and Associates in Jamestown. MOVING FORWARD In October 2012, Invest Forward opened an office in Crookston, moving to Grand Forks in 2017. In 2013, an investment firm, Sundquist and Associates, Bagley, were acquired. In September 2019, Bank Forward and Insure Forward moved into their new branch in Fargo. Today, with over 230 employees and over $800 million in assets, Bank Forward still operates with the same basic principles we learned from A. C. Brown: Take good care of the customer. Our success comes from the prosperity of our customers and our communities. Demonstrate smart banking decisions based on sound banking principles. Hire and be thankful for a good staff. Jobs News Blogs Our Team Upfront answers to your financial questions STRAIGHT FORWARD OUR MISSION We believe in the commitment to seek out and provide financial and insurance solutions for tomorrow, not just for today. In doing so, we help our customers, employees and the community "fast forward" to the goals they strive to achieve in life. Customer Service | Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 800-450-3115 Digital Banking Customer Service | Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 877-689-1783 © Copyright 2021 Bank Forward. All Rights Reserved. PRIVACY TERMS & CONDITIONS LOST OR STOLEN CARDS Products and services offered through Insure Forward are: *NOT A DEPOSIT *NOT FDIC INSURED *NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY *NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK *MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE