Bay Bank opens new branch in Keshena

A first for Bay Bank is also a first for the Menominee Indian Tribe.

Bay Bank, the state’s only tribal-owned bank opened a branch office at N201 State Highway 47-55 in Keshena on Jan. 6. It is the culmination of a historic project by Oneida Nation-owned Bay Bank that started last summer.

“As a team in 2020, we celebrated Bay Bank’s 25th anniversary of faithfully serving and standing for our customers in greater Green Bay. Just a few days into 2021, we are now getting started on our next 25 years in a big way,” said Jeff Bowman, Bay Bank president and CEO. “There is much to be excited about as we expand our full personal and business banking expertise and services to Keshena with the opening of the first bank for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin as well as for all those in Menominee County and neighboring communities.”

The 2,200-square-foot branch facility in Keshena is the third for Bay Bank, which has two locations in the Green Bay area. The new branch office is part of the mixed-use Standing Pines Convenience Store project in Keshena developed by Wolf River Development Company. The development includes an upgraded gas station and a new convenience store and car wash.

Bay Bank leaders hired Bobbie Caldwell as the branch manager.

Caldwell, whose professional career has included an extensive tenure in managing bank branches, had been preparing for the opening of the Keshena branch by working alongside Bay Bank’s leadership team at its home office in Green Bay this fall and winter.

“We are excited to have Bobbie join our Bay Bank family,” said Nathan King, Bay Bank vice president who’s been leading the development of the operations in Keshena. “She instantly brings tremendous value to the new branch with her leadership background as a branch manager, in addition to being closely connected to the Menominee community.”

Caldwell grew up on the Menominee Reservation and returned to the area a few years ago after moving away for an extended period. In her new role managing Bay Bank’s new office, Caldwell will direct daily operations at the branch, supervise employees and uphold the bank’s longstanding tradition of providing high-quality customer service.

As of 2020, Bay Bank is one of only 17 Native American-owned banks in the United States.

Bay Bank plans to hold a grand opening at the Keshena branch at a later date.