Bank Forward started as a small bank in a small town, in 1927. 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.
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. In 2006, a bank with branches in Walker and Hackensack is acquired. In 2007, Security State Bank of North Dakota changes its name to Bank Forward.
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 October 2012, a loan production office and Invest Forward open in Crookston.
