Bank First

Bank First, a community bank headquartered in Manitowoc

Bank First is a banking institution headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, that defines itself as a relationship-based community bank. Its operations extend across Wisconsin and the Stateline region of Illinois, where it serves individual and business customers. The institution combines modern banking solutions with personal service and local knowledge, according to its own presentation.

The bank operates through 38 locations and offers personal banking, business banking, treasury management, and wealth management services. Its offering includes deposit products, loans, credit cards, and digital tools.

Personal banking products and services

On the personal side, Bank First offers checking accounts, savings accounts, health savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. It also provides mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, construction loans, specialty loan programs, consumer loans, student loan refinancing, and financing for autos, recreational vehicles, and boats. In addition, it markets hunting and recreation land and credit cards.

Special services for individuals include student banking, military and veteran banking, gift and reloadable cards, safe deposit boxes, and foreign currency exchange.

Solutions for businesses and agribusiness

For the business segment, the bank offers checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. In financing, it provides business loans, municipal financing, SBA loans, and business credit cards. Treasury management includes tools to manage accounts, move money, receive money, and prevent fraud.

The agribusiness area has agricultural loans, agricultural deposit accounts, and a specialized team. Bank First also offers wealth management services, which include trust accounts, portfolio management, legacy planning, market review, and brokerage services.

Digital banking and service channels

The institution makes digital banking services available to its customers, including online and mobile banking, bill pay, Zelle, financial manager, credit score, mobile deposit, cards, and Telebanc. For businesses, treasury management incorporates Positive Pay, ACH and wire manager, and remote deposit capture (RDC).

The bank's website offers a support and resources section with a fraud and security center, educational materials, prevention tools, fraud reporting, interest rates, calculators, online demos, shred events, and check ordering.

Community presence and local commitment

Bank First presents itself as a community bank that invests in its facilities to create welcoming spaces, prioritizing local vendors and contractors. Its branches display works by local artists, reflecting the character of the communities where it operates.

The institution highlights its community involvement: in 2025 it contributed more than $972,400 to 465 local events and nonprofit organizations, and its employees donated more than 8,670 hours of volunteering. In addition, the bank reports a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 78, a metric that measures how likely a customer is to recommend the institution.

Recent news and corporate changes

The bank has announced the addition of Peoples State Bank, which will join Bank First the weekend of December 4. The institution maintains a merger resource center. It has also announced the appointment of Melissa Townsend as Retail Banking Officer, with six years of experience, to strengthen customer relationships in Kiel and nearby communities, and Rich Hildebrandt as Vice President - Business Banking, with more than 35 years of experience.

In September 2026, Bank First increased its prime rate to 7.00%. The institution also organizes community events, such as a free shred day scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at its Fond du Lac and Manitowoc (Custer St) branches, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.