An official website of the State of North Dakota
Bismarck – Bank of North Dakota (BND) is celebrating 100 years this month. In honor of its centennial anniversary, the Bank is holding special events including a celebration at its location, a College SAVE promotion, and the launch of TheBNDStory.nd.gov. These events complement the previously released “The Bank of North Dakota | From Surviving to Thriving” book and commemorative coins, along with curation of an on-site museum.
On Monday, July 29, the Bank invites the public to a celebration at its location, 1200 Memorial Highway, Bismarck. The event will start at 11 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Pride of Dakota vendors selling food, books and other items will fill the lawn. Speakers, including North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, author Mike Jacobs, and—if his schedule permits—Senator John Hoeven who is a former Bank president, will start at 11:15 a.m. Tours of the Bank’s museum, which was co-curated by renowned historian Clay Jenkinson and sponsored by the North Dakota Bankers Association and Independent Community Banks of North Dakota, will be held hourly starting at noon. The movie “Northern Lights,” an award-winning film covering the emergence of the Nonpartisan League in North Dakota, will also be shown at 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
“We invite everyone to celebrate the accomplishments of a truly historic institution,” states Eric Hardmeyer, Bank president/CEO. “It would be difficult to find one person in the state who has not been touched by Bank of North Dakota, whether it is a family still farming on their forefather’s land, a business that has succeeded or a student loan that helped someone achieve their career goals.”
As part of the 100-year celebration, College SAVE, the state’s 529 plan administered by BND, will deposit an additional $100 in the College SAVE accounts of 100 North Dakota residents who contribute to new or existing accounts in July. Making a contribution during the month automatically qualifies account owners for the drawing.
The Bank also launched a microsite, TheBNDStory.nd.gov, detailing its first 100 years. The site includes interesting anecdotes and videos along with written commentary about its history.
A chronicle of the Bank’s rich history is also available in the recently-released book, “The Bank of North Dakota | From Surviving to Thriving.” The Bank commissioned Mike Jacobs, well-known North Dakota journalist, to write it. Copies can be bought and signed by Jacobs at the July 29 celebration. Silver and brass commemorative coins will also be sold on-site during the event.
Bank of North Dakota opened its doors on the corner of Seventh Street and Main Avenue in Bismarck, North Dakota, July 28, 1919. Throughout its 100-year history, it has been tested, questioned, investigated and applauded. Although other states owned banks before 1919, and some states are trying at this time, none have succeeded.
The Bank of North Dakota is overseen by the Industrial Commission, which consists of Gov. Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.