North Dakota’s largest bank commercial real estate portfolios vary substantially in size, composition and recent direction. The 25 banks in the ranked table hold $17.8 billion in total CRE loans, including $2.3 billion in construction and land loans, $3.6 billion in multifamily loans, $4.7 billion in owner occupied loans and $7.1 billion in investor nonfarm nonresidential loans. BestCRE ranks these institutions by total commercial real estate loans reported in FDIC Call Reports as of June 30, 2026. The table also presents year-over-year change, CRE share of total loans, investor CRE relative to equity capital and each bank’s national rank.
The ranking covers banks headquartered in North Dakota, not every lender available to a North Dakota property owner or investor. The state has 60 headquartered banks with $18.1 billion in total CRE loans, up +7.1% year-over-year. The top five hold 66.6% of that total, showing how strongly the largest institutions influence the statewide figures. Banks headquartered elsewhere can also lend through North Dakota branches, while debt funds, life companies, CMBS, agency and SBA lenders fall outside bank call reports. Borrowers should therefore treat the table as a focused starting point for identifying banks with relevant portfolio capacity and activity, rather than as a complete directory of financing sources.
North Dakota banks ranked by total CRE loans
| Rank | Bank | Headquarters | Total CRE loans ($M) | Construction and land ($M) | Multifamily ($M) | Owner occupied ($M) | Change, 1 year | CRE share of loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bell Bank | Fargo, ND | $5,335 | $433 | $1,263 | $1,005 | +7.8% | 40.3% |
| 2 | First International Bank & Trust | Watford City, ND | $2,268 | $534 | $360 | $611 | +13.2% | 45.5% |
| 3 | Alerus Financial, N.A. | Grand Forks, ND | $1,989 | $111 | $362 | $622 | -5.3% | 49.0% |
| 4 | Choice Financial Group | Fargo, ND | $1,585 | $196 | $271 | $421 | +6.7% | 49.3% |
| 5 | Bravera Bank | Dickinson, ND | $903 | $171 | $106 | $347 | +19.3% | 32.5% |
| 6 | First Western Bank & Trust | Minot, ND | $844 | $142 | $140 | $301 | +7.5% | 44.0% |
| 7 | Western State Bank | Devils Lake, ND | $704 | $135 | $151 | $165 | -2.7% | 31.3% |
| 8 | Starion Bank | Bismarck, ND | $629 | $119 | $144 | $164 | +11.2% | 49.0% |
| 9 | Cornerstone Bank | Fargo, ND | $571 | $82.6 | $124 | $227 | +7.3% | 41.9% |
| 10 | Gate City Bank | Fargo, ND | $542 | $92.5 | $115 | $140 | +23.5% | 18.1% |
| 11 | Bank Forward | Fargo, ND | $374 | $60.0 | $146 | $75.8 | +0.5% | 41.5% |
| 12 | Border Bank | Fargo, ND | $373 | $27.3 | $73.8 | $129 | +8.2% | 41.4% |
| 13 | Unison Bank | Jamestown, ND | $212 | $74.4 | $16.0 | $40.8 | +8.0% | 47.3% |
| 14 | Dakota Community Bank & Trust, N.A. | Hebron, ND | $204 | $27.5 | $18.2 | $62.0 | +21.4% | 24.2% |
| 15 | American Federal Bank | Fargo, ND | $202 | $7.0 | $102 | $32.8 | -0.7% | 29.5% |
| 16 | United Valley Bank | Cavalier, ND | $188 | $16.7 | $45.0 | $60.2 | +16.1% | 34.2% |
| 17 | First State Bank | Buxton, ND | $146 | $31.1 | $19.8 | $39.8 | +16.5% | 37.2% |
| 18 | KodaBank | Drayton, ND | $129 | $9.4 | $49.9 | $36.1 | +17.9% | 29.9% |
| 19 | First United Bank | Park River, ND | $113 | $15.5 | $19.3 | $17.4 | -3.2% | 19.4% |
| 20 | First State Bank & Trust | Williston, ND | $104 | $7.2 | $5.6 | $47.2 | +15.3% | 49.0% |
| 21 | American State Bank & Trust Company of Williston | Williston, ND | $92.7 | $2.9 | $13.5 | $47.1 | -13.0% | 30.8% |
| 22 | Kirkwood Bank & Trust Co. | Bismarck, ND | $90.7 | $18.7 | $4.9 | $32.6 | -5.5% | 40.3% |
| 23 | Security First Bank of North Dakota | New Salem, ND | $89.2 | $25.3 | $14.1 | $33.0 | -14.6% | 38.5% |
| 24 | BankNorth | Arthur, ND | $43.3 | $4.0 | $1.1 | $26.2 | +12.0% | 7.0% |
| 25 | The Union Bank | Beulah, ND | $38.8 | $1.7 | $4.1 | $33.0 | +46.8% | 19.9% |
Source: FDIC Call Reports as of June 30, 2026 (schedule RC-C). Dollar figures in millions. Change, 1 year compares total CRE loans with June 30, 2025. Bank names link to each bank’s FDIC record. Table shows the top 25 of 60 banks headquartered in North Dakota.
Bell Bank is the clear portfolio leader at $5.3 billion, including $2.6 billion in investor nonfarm nonresidential loans and $1.3 billion in multifamily loans. First International Bank & Trust follows with $2.3 billion and reports the largest construction and land balance among the ranked banks at $534.1 million. Alerus Financial, N.A. ranks 3 with $2.0 billion, although its CRE balance changed -5.3% year-over-year. Growth differs sharply across the table. Gate City Bank reported +23.5%, Bravera Bank +19.3% and First Western Bank & Trust +7.5%. Concentration also varies. Choice Financial Group reports CRE equal to 49.3% of total loans, compared with 18.1% at Gate City Bank. First International Bank & Trust has investor CRE to equity of 3.20x, while Bell Bank reports 2.94x. These figures describe portfolio size and exposure, not individual credit terms or current lending decisions.
Out of state banks with branches in North Dakota
| Bank | Headquarters state | Branches in North Dakota | Deposits in North Dakota ($M) | Total CRE loans, all states ($M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old National Bank | Indiana | 14 | $2,035 | $23,021 |
| U.S. Bank, N.A. | Ohio | 15 | $2,011 | $50,718 |
| Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | South Dakota | 12 | $1,835 | $121,623 |
| Dacotah Bank | South Dakota | 9 | $903 | $1,413 |
| BNC National Bank | Arizona | 11 | $808 | $430 |
| BMO Bank, N.A. | Illinois | 4 | $153 | $28,802 |
| Frandsen Bank & Trust | Minnesota | 1 | $145 | $982 |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Ohio | 3 | $64.9 | $179,847 |
| Hometown Community Bank | Minnesota | 2 | $39.2 | $38.6 |
| American Bank & Trust | South Dakota | 1 | $15.8 | $599 |
Source: FDIC Summary of Deposits 2026. Deposits and branches are for North Dakota only; CRE loans are bank wide.
Portfolio evidence can guide a focused bank search
Total CRE loans provide a practical indication of a bank’s demonstrated appetite and potential hold capacity. A borrower seeking a larger relationship might begin with Bell Bank at $5.3 billion, First International Bank & Trust at $2.3 billion, Alerus Financial, N.A. at $2.0 billion or Choice Financial Group at $1.6 billion. Smaller portfolios can still be relevant, particularly when their property mix aligns with the requested financing. The ranking should narrow the call list, but it does not establish whether a bank will approve a particular property, sponsor or structure.
Borrowers can use the portfolio columns to identify banks with meaningful exposure to the applicable property category, then review growth and concentration before making contact. Positive year-over-year change shows which institutions were adding CRE balances at the reporting date. A high CRE share or investor CRE to equity ratio can signal that a bank may be selective because real estate already represents a substantial part of its balance sheet. Lending remains relationship driven and local, so borrowers should compare several institutions and discuss the property, sponsorship and existing banking relationship directly.
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Tell Us About Your DealHow BestCRE Capital WorksLoan mix reveals distinct areas of balance sheet activity
The category balances show where each bank’s existing CRE exposure is concentrated. Bell Bank’s $5.3 billion portfolio includes $2.6 billion of investor nonfarm nonresidential loans, $1.3 billion of multifamily loans, $1.0 billion of owner occupied loans and $433.0 million of construction and land loans. First International Bank & Trust has a different mix: $763.2 million in investor nonfarm nonresidential loans, $611.0 million in owner occupied loans, $534.1 million in construction and land loans and $359.9 million in multifamily loans. Those balances show established activity without describing current underwriting preferences.
Concentration measures add context to the category totals. Alerus Financial, N.A. and Starion Bank each report CRE equal to 49.0% of total loans, while First State Bank & Trust also reports 49.0%. Bell Bank’s CRE share is 40.3%, and Bravera Bank’s is 32.5%. Investor CRE to equity ranges from 3.35x at Unison Bank and 3.20x at First International Bank & Trust to 0.22x at BankNorth and 0.19x at The Union Bank. The higher ratios are high relative to the other banks in the table and may be relevant when assessing which institutions could be more selective.
North Dakota borrowers have additional lending channels
Banks headquartered outside North Dakota can maintain meaningful local operations. Old National Bank has 14 North Dakota branches and $2.0 billion in deposits in the state, while reporting $23.0 billion in total CRE loans across all states. U.S. Bank, N.A. has 15 branches, $2.0 billion in state deposits and $50.7 billion in total CRE loans. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. has 12 branches, $1.8 billion in state deposits and $121.6 billion in total CRE loans. Their nationwide CRE balances do not show how much is attributable to North Dakota, but their branches place them within the local banking market.
Other out of state institutions with North Dakota branches include Dacotah Bank, BNC National Bank, BMO Bank, N.A., Frandsen Bank & Trust, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Hometown Community Bank and American Bank & Trust. Borrowers may also compare debt funds, life companies, CMBS, agency and SBA lenders, none of which appear in bank call report rankings. Each source can evaluate financing differently, so comparing several channels helps borrowers test availability and fit. The ranked table remains most useful as evidence of bank portfolio activity, while branch presence and nonbank alternatives broaden the search beyond North Dakota headquartered institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were North Dakota commercial real estate banks ranked?
BestCRE ranks banks headquartered in North Dakota by total commercial real estate loans reported in FDIC Call Reports as of June 30, 2026. The underlying reporting source is the Reports of Condition and Income, schedule RC-C. The table separates construction and land, multifamily, owner occupied, and investor nonfarm nonresidential balances, while also showing year-over-year change, CRE share of total loans, investor CRE to equity and national rank. The 25 ranked banks hold $17.8 billion in total CRE loans. FDIC Summary of Deposits 2026 information is used separately to identify out of state banks with North Dakota branches.
Which North Dakota bank has the largest construction loan portfolio?
First International Bank & Trust reports $534.1 million in construction and land loans, the largest balance among the ranked North Dakota headquartered banks. That category forms part of its $2.3 billion total CRE portfolio, alongside $359.9 million in multifamily loans, $611.0 million in owner occupied loans and $763.2 million in investor nonfarm nonresidential loans. Bell Bank reports the next largest construction and land balance at $433.0 million. These figures identify existing portfolio exposure as of June 30, 2026, but they do not indicate current pricing, available proceeds or whether either institution will approve a specific project.
Which ranked bank reported the fastest CRE growth?
The Union Bank reported the largest positive year-over-year change in the table at +46.8%. Its total CRE portfolio was $38.8 million, including $1.7 million in construction and land loans, $4.1 million in multifamily loans, $33.0 million in owner occupied loans and $0 in investor nonfarm nonresidential loans. Gate City Bank, with $542.2 million in total CRE loans, reported +23.5%, while Dakota Community Bank & Trust, N.A., with $203.9 million, reported +21.4%. Growth can identify banks that were adding balances, but portfolio size and category mix remain important when assessing relevance to a particular request.
Does the ranking include every bank lending in North Dakota?
No. The ranking covers banks headquartered in North Dakota. Banks based elsewhere may still lend through local branches. Old National Bank has 14 branches and $2.0 billion in North Dakota deposits, U.S. Bank, N.A. has 15 branches and $2.0 billion, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. has 12 branches and $1.8 billion. Their reported total CRE portfolios across all states are $23.0 billion, $50.7 billion and $121.6 billion, respectively. Those national balances should not be interpreted as North Dakota loan totals. The distinction between headquarters and branch presence matters when borrowers build a complete local contact list.
What benchmark interest rates provide context for a CRE loan search?
As of Oct 26, 2026, the Prime rate was 7.00%, SOFR was 3.89%, the 5 year Treasury was 4.78%, the 10 year Treasury was 4.96% and Fed funds was 3.88%. These are market benchmarks, not quoted loan rates from the banks in the ranking. Actual financing terms cannot be inferred from FDIC portfolio balances. Borrowers can use the benchmarks as general context when speaking with banks and other capital sources, but should request current proposals directly and compare the complete economics and structure offered for the specific property and borrower.
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BestCRE rankings are editorially independent and built only from public regulatory filings; no bank pays for placement. Call report figures describe loans held on each bank’s balance sheet and do not show loan terms, rates or current appetite. BestCRE is not a lender and does not make loans. Benchmark rates are informational, not quotes. See our Legal Disclaimer and Compensation Disclosure.