Key Highlights
- Old National Bank sues Bell Bank and eight former employees for allegedly poaching employees and confidential information.
- The lawsuit claims the coordinated resignations left Old National Bank’s Brainerd and Baxter branches understaffed.
- Bell Bank disputes any allegations of wrongdoing, stating it intends to open a branch in the Brainerd-Baxter community.
- Old National Bank seeks various compensatory and punitive damages as determined by law or at trial.
Lawsuit Against Bell Bank: Old National Bank Claims Employee Poaching
BRAINERD, Minn. — In a legal battle that has drawn attention to the competitive banking landscape in Minnesota, Old National Bank is embroiled in a lawsuit against Bell Bank and eight former employees who they claim poached their staff and confidential information.
Timeline of Events
On December 15, 2025, Old National Bank filed an 11-count lawsuit in U.S. District Court-District of Minnesota against Bell Bank and the eight former employees. The case centers around allegations that these individuals left their positions at Old National Bank almost immediately to join Bell Bank, taking with them confidential information.
According to Matt Erickson from the Brainerd Dispatch, on December 7 and 8, six senior banking professionals and two other employees resigned from their positions at Old National Bank. Video surveillance footage revealed that these individuals removed several boxes without the opportunity for inspection by the bank’s human resources department.
Impact on Old National Bank
The sudden departure of key personnel resulted in significant operational disruptions, particularly at the Brainerd and Baxter branches. In the Brainerd branch, an impromptu “closed” sign was placed on the entrance door due to insufficient staff to operate. Similarly, operations in the Baxter branch’s lobby were temporarily closed.
Old National Bank described the coordinated resignations as a “coup d’etat,” highlighting that all eight former employees took positions with Bell Bank and began soliciting Old National Bank customers and encouraging other employees to quit their jobs.
Factual Basis for the Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that the former employees had access to sensitive information, including nonpublic customer contact details, account data, credit analyses, pricing information, and employee performance metrics. These individuals are accused of misusing this confidential information immediately after their departure.
Old National Bank is seeking a judgment stopping its former employees from using Old National Bank’s trade secrets or confidential information at Bell Bank. The bank also wants to prevent Bell Bank from employing the named employees in the lawsuit, as well as other measures aimed at protecting its workforce and customer relationships.
Bell Bank’s Response
In a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Bell Bank disputed any allegations of wrongdoing and stated that it looks forward to demonstrating why these employees left Old National Bank. The bank also confirmed its intention to open a branch in the Brainerd-Baxter community.
Future Implications
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges banks face in maintaining their competitive edge, especially when it comes to retaining key personnel and protecting sensitive information. Legal experts suggest that such cases could set precedents for how banking institutions handle employee departures and the protection of trade secrets.
The case is currently pending in U.S. District Court-District of Minnesota and is expected to have significant implications for both Old National Bank and Bell Bank as they navigate their business strategies in a highly competitive market environment.