Big banks may be merging and closing overlapping branches, but in the past several months, 468 community banks added 543 new full-service branch offices.

Bauer is very heartened to see community banks helping to fill the branch void left by those Big Banks.

Organic growth is slow, usually one new branch at a time, but in this week's issue, we highlight community banks that opened at least two new offices, with a special emphasis on those that opened more than that.

5-Star Community Banks with New Branches

The banking industry in the United States is, without a doubt, shrinking. As banks continue to merge, many offices end up shuttered. While five big banks closed a net of more than 500 branches last year (calendar 2024), we are pleased to report that, at least in some areas, community banks are helping to fill the void.

In the past several months, 468 community banks added a total of 543 new full-service branch offices. Three hundred and forty-five of those community banks are 5-Star rated by Bauer. They account for 394 of the new offices. All 5-Star community banks that added two or more branches after June 30, 2024, can be found on page 5. With the exception of the following five, each added two in the timeframe noted:

5-Star Bell Bank, Fargo, ND (19581) added four new branches in 2024 and one in 2025 (AZ-2, MN-1, ND-2). The bank made its first entry into  Grand Forks, ND, and is already building a second, which is expected to open in 2026.

Bell Bank was originally established in 1966 as State Bank of Fargo. In 2003, it acquired State Bank of Moorhead, ND (Fargo’s sister city) as well as State Bank of West Fargo, ND. Over the following ten years, it acquired four more banks and ultimately became Bell Bank.

Today, Bell Bank operates through 33 offices in AZ (5), ID (1), MN (16) and its home of ND (11). Bell Bank is also currently offering a special CD rate: 7 months with an APY of 4.03% with a minimum deposit of $500 or 4.08% with a deposit of $99,999.01 or more. Personal only: details here.

5-Star Bank of Clovis, Clovis, NM (57022) was established in October of 2000 to serve Curry County in New Mexico. In 2024, it spread its reach into Quay and Union counties as well.

Today, Bank of Clovis operates through seven branch offices and has 52 employees, all from Curry County and the surrounding areas.

Established in 1911 as Fort Davis State Bank, 5-Star Maverick Bank, Fort Davis, TX (17446) celebrated its rebranding with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 7, 2024. It has since more than doubled its branch presence—from three to eight.

The Maverick Bank name was chosen as a nod to a Texas pioneer, Samuel Gustavo Maverick. Texans and history buffs may be familiar with Sam, or Gus as his family called him. In addition to politics, Maverick was one of the biggest investors in West Texas; the County of Maverick, TX was also named in his honor.

In June 2024, the new Maverick Bank added two new branches, one each in Gaines and Lubbock, TX. Another was added in September. This one in Hockley, TX. Then, in 2025, a branch was opened in Ector (Jan) and another in Scurry (Feb). This newly branded bank is spreading its wings, and it isn’t done yet.

On June 25, 2025, Maverick Bank announced it would acquire 5-Star Tejas Bank (18216), a single branch bank located in Monahans, TX. According to Todd Hunt, President and CEO of Tejas Bank, the combination was a perfect fit. Both banks have deep roots in west Texas and also have a great understanding of the communities they serve.

While we prefer to see new branches over mergers and acquisitions, in this case, it does seem to be a natural fit. Once completed, Maverick Bank will have more than $600 million in assets and nine branch offices.

Another Texas Bank growing its branches by way of acquisition is 5-Star Rio Bank, McAllen, TX (25886). On May 30, 2025, Rio Bank acquired the roughly $500 million asset Lone Star Capital Bank, N.A. of San Antonio. This marked Rio Bank’s second acquisition in its 40-year history.

In addition to the six branches acquired in the Lone Star transaction, Rio Bank established two other branches in San Antonio this year (one in May, the other in August). Today, Rio Bank boasts 25 branch offices spanning eight Texas counties (two have limited-services).

Established in 1970, 5-Star Johnson Bank, Racine, WI (20296) gobbled up a number of other institutions particularly in the 1980s and 90s. It has been years now since it has done any such transactions. While its early years were a mix of purchases and organic growth of new branches, Johnson Bank seems content with the latter at this stage of the game. Since 2023, it has opened five new locations (three in 2024 and one each in 2023 and so far in 2025).

Today, Johnson Bank operates through 32 branch offices in 14 counties throughout the Badger State. At June 30, 2025, Johnson Bank reported total assets of more than $7 billion and it employs nearly 800 "cheeseheads".

Johnson Bank was the brainchild of Samuel C. Johnson, another famous Samuel, and the fourth-generation leader of a brand we are all familiar with, SC Johnson.  Sam Johnson recognized the need for a different type of bank than what was available in 1970. A bank committed to community and focused on personal service. So, he built one.

Today, Johnson Financial Group, Johnson Bank’s parent, is chaired by his daughter, Helen Johnson-Liepold, who continues to run the bank with the same principles and values as her father.

Both Samuels certainly made their mark.