gold Best of Bauer seal showing Gate City Bank has received a five-star rating since 1996

Gate City Bank Earns 5 Stars on Bauer List for 28 Years.

FARGO, ND – For 113 consecutive quarters (28 years!), Gate City Bank has received a prestigious five-star rating from BauerFinancial™ for the exceptional products and services we offer customers throughout North Dakota and central Minnesota.

Ratings That Lead to Trust in ND and MN.

Bauer is considered one of the nation’s most trusted sources for reliable, unbiased and unpurchased assessments for financial institutions. So when a bank is awarded five stars on the quarterly Best of Bauer list, it overwhelmingly suggests three things: strength, safety and security. Gate City Bank has been proud to have those words associated with our name for decades – most recently in March 2024.

“Gate City Bank has been driven by a sincere desire to create a better way of life for our customers, communities and team members for over 100 years,” says Kevin Hanson, President & CEO. “We’re incredibly honored that Bauer has put its faith behind our mission and performance for so long. These ratings speak volumes in terms of our dedication to those we serve throughout North Dakota and central Minnesota.”

More Than 40 Years of Financial Insight.

A renowned research firm, Bauer has successfully analyzed and reported on the health of the financial services industry since 1983. It rose to prominence during the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s, proving itself as a guiding light for countless consumers at a time when lost savings tied to uninsured deposits were a stark reality. Bauer was also a voice of reason during the Great Recession of 2008.

Through thick and thin, Bauer has kept a watchful eye – giving a nod to banks that have done well by their customers in impactful ways. Its diligence has earned it the reputation of being “the nation’s bank-rating service.” By visiting Bauer’s website, customers can easily search for different financial institutions and scope out their ratings, an invaluable resource for those seeking a bank they can rely on.

The Reason Behind the Ratings.

Bauer’s rating process is simple and straightforward: Assemble the raw data that’s included in financial reports sent to federal regulators, then give it the smell test. No institution pays for its rating, nor can they elect to avoid it.

The firm is especially good at zeroing in on capital ratio, which banks are required to maintain at a minimum of 4%. Gate City Bank has always maintained an exceptionally high capital ratio, which is currently at 9.8%. Bauer also considers other factors when establishing its ratings, such as:

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Profitability

  • Liquidity

  • Loan quality

  • Investment portfolios

Bauer even accounts for banks’ community reinvestment efforts when determining its rankings. As a mutual bank that doesn’t answer to shareholders, Gate City Bank is in a much better position to give back, keeping our focus where it matters most – the communities we call home.

Pursuing Something Better With Bauer.

At Gate City Bank, we’re incredibly thankful for the experts at Bauer and the crucial role they play in encouraging a better way of life for banking customers across the U.S. The firm continuously inspires us to be the best we can be for our customers, communities and team members, helping us create a better way of life that’s worthy of five stars.

blue and orange text describing Gate City Bank being recognized as #3 in the U.S. on Forbes’ 2024 list of World’s Best Banks

Ranked #3 in the US by Forbes.

For the fourth consecutive year, we made Forbes’ list of World’s Best Banks, claiming the #3 spot in the U.S. for 2024!

See Why
happy woman sits outdoors with laptop on a sunny day while enjoying peace of mind with FDIC coverage

Embracing a Secure Future With FDIC.

We’re proud of our longtime relationship with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which goes back since 1935!

Learn More
Gate City Bank’s headquarters at sunrise in downtown Fargo, ND

More Than a Century in the Making.

Since 1923, we’ve been making history – thanks to you! Come enjoy a look back through the decades, and see what’s next on the horizon.

See Our Story