Bremer Bank's newest VP hire signals commitment to homebuyer education

St. Paul, Minn. – As a part of its commitment to fully educate homebuyers before they embark on the mortgage lending process, Bremer Bank today announced the hiring of its first-ever Vice President, Community Impact Manager, Trent Bowman. Bowman comes to Bremer from MidWestOne Bank, where he served as the Vice President, CRA Business Development Officer and managed mortgage lending outreach efforts in the Minneapolis area. His primary role will be helping to holistically educate first-time homebuyers and low- to moderate-income families on the homebuying process before they begin working with a loan officer. Download Bowman's headshot here.

“For many members of our community, the homebuying process can be a formidable endeavor. Bremer is augmenting its efforts to help ensure every homebuyer has the opportunity to be well prepared – and that led us to investing in talent like Trent,” said President and CEO of Bremer Bank, Jeanne Crain. “He’s a natural educator with a deep commitment to engaging and serving. That combined with his expertise in mortgage lending is a win for Bremer, our customers, and our communities.”

Bowman has immense experience in mortgage lending, as well as small business banking and wealth building. Paired with his longstanding community involvement – including as the financial board co-chair for the Northside Residential Redevelopment Council (NRRC), as co-chair for the LISC Twin Cities advisory council committee, as well as his involvement with the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), and more – he is well positioned for this new role.

“My goal is to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for individuals and families in the many communities that Bremer serves,” Bowman said. “I’m excited to join this talented team and hit the ground running helping people feel educated, informed and supported throughout the mortgage lending process.”

In addition to supporting individuals in understanding the homebuying process and feeling “mortgage-ready,” Bowman will also lead Bremer’s new quarterly homebuyer education events for customers at no cost. These education events will equip people with the knowledge and confidence needed in making personalized, well-informed choices that best support their financial goals. This educational and financial advising model is unique for community banks, and is consistent with Bremer Bank’s racial equity action plan.

“Housing is the single largest financial transaction that most people will make in their life. If they’re doing it without being properly informed, the outcome is unlikely to be good,” said Stephen Spears, senior vice president, Twin Cities community banking at Bremer Bank. “That is why Bremer is prioritizing financial education and service: So our customers can enter the homebuying process feeling empowered and prepared.”

Bowman was born and raised in North Minneapolis and will office out of Bremer’s Brooklyn Center location. His immediate efforts will focus on Bremer’s Twin Cities branches, including Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis’ East Lake Street, and the Saint Paul Midway neighborhood. To learn more about Bremer Bank, visit bremer.com.

About Bremer Financial Corporation

Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately held, regional financial services company with $15.9 billion in assets, jointly owned by the Otto Bremer Trust and Bremer employees. Founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, the company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, and provides a comprehensive range of banking, mortgage, investment, wealth management and insurance products and services throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Clients include small businesses, mid-sized corporations, agribusinesses, nonprofits, public and government entities, and individuals and families.