By Stella Dolan
Published 9:56 am on February 12, 2025
The Welle family has been a cornerstone of Bemidji for nearly a century, with their leadership of First National Bank Bemidji dating back to 1945. Ryan Welle, a 2003 graduate of Bemidji State University, now serves as the bank’s president and is continuing his family’s legacy of commitment to both the bank and the community as they look to serve future generations of the northern Minnesota region.
That investment was on display on Tuesday, Feb. 4, when the BSU Alumni & Foundation hosted the inaugural First National Bank Bemidji Day. The industry-tailored event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between First National Bank Bemidji and the university.
And it made perfect sense for Welle to be at the center of it all.
Welle’s positioning highlights the value of this partnership. The bank plays an important role in both the economic and educational development of the region, and Welle is currently in place to carry out that work because of the education he received at Bemidji State.
“What’s good for FNBB is good for Bemidji, and what’s good for BSU is good for Bemidji,” Welle explained, emphasizing the holistic approach that the bank takes in supporting the community.
FNBB’s partnership with BSU has been strengthened over the years, and it was on display at the inaugural First National Bank Bemidji Day. The event featured a variety of activities, including a networking breakfast for FNBB employees who are alumni of Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College, a meet-and-greet with FNBB scholarship recipients and opportunities for current students to connect with FNBB representatives about potential careers and internships. The day’s events culminated in a recognition of FNBB's ongoing contributions at a BSU men’s basketball game, where the Welle family and the bank were acknowledged for their continued support.
From BSU student to regional leader
Ryan Welle’s path to leading FNBB began with his time as a student at Bemidji State.
A business administration major with an emphasis in finance, Welle remembers the most impactful part of his college experience as the relationships he built, whether with teammates from the football field, professors or coaches. Many of those relationships still play an important role in his life today, and it’s clear that the same sense of community has stuck with him.
“Back in my time, the things that I always come back to are just the relationships that you build, whether it’s with my teammates from football — I’m still close with them — or professors and coaches who are still on campus,” he said. “It’s about the relationships built over time.”
After graduation, Welle spent time working with U.S. Bank and Bremer Bank in the Twin Cities metro. But as his family began to grow, Welle and his wife chose to return to Bemidji, a place that offered small-town values and opportunities that they both cherished.
It was a natural decision for Welle to return to the family business that had been a part of Bemidji for so long. And as the fourth generation in the Welle to serve at the bank, he’s in the right spot.
First National Bank Bemidji’s legacy began when Ryan’s great-grandfather and his brother purchased the bank 80 years ago. Today, FNBB is the city’s oldest and largest national bank. The bank remains deeply committed to Bemidji and its people, with an unwavering focus on maintaining local ownership and investing in the community.
First National Bank Bemidji has served Bemidji's businesses and families since 1897, when it opened under the name Bank of Bemidji. Since its founding, FNBB has grown into a modern, employee-owned local bank, helping families in the region reach their financial goals. Beyond providing financial tools, FNBB actively partners with local businesses, schools and charities, working together to host events that benefit the community.
“Our family has always been committed to not just banking, but to ensuring the future of Bemidji and the surrounding region,” Welle said.
FNBB works closely with Bemidji State, helping to provide educational opportunities and economic development for students and residents. The bank also actively recruits local talent — currently employing over 30 BSU and NTC alumni and offering internships in a variety of majors.
“If Bemidji State wasn’t here, it’s hard to imagine where we’d find these people,” Welle said.
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