HOUSTON, Minn. – The giant St. Paul-based Bremer Bank is closing its branch in Houston, leaving the southeast Minnesota town, population 1,000, without a bank. In a letter to customers, Bremer explained its decision as consistent with a banking industry trend away from bricks-and-mortar branches to digital transactions. The Houston branch is a modest one-story structure on the main drag through town. In one sense, Bremer is a new arrival in Houston. It purchased a bank whose local legacies dated at least to the 1870s. Bremer, which is privately held, doesn’t break out the assets of its 83 individual banks publicly, but the company’s overall exceed $16.2 billion.

Bremer Bank in Houston. 108 East Cedar Street. No deposits, only withdrawals to April 15. Then: No transactions at all. Bye.

Bremer Bank profile

Otto Bremer, a German immigrant, worked hs way into bank management in St. Paul and eventually created his namesake bank. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Bremer invested many small-town banks. He would arrive in town with a satchel of cash to save the local bank from failing. By the mid 1930s, he held stock in 55 banks. Otto Bremer died in 1951. Does is spirit live on in Houston? Not so much. Just ask around town.

Bremer. 1867-1951.

What to do?

Nearest banks:

Rushford: 10 miles away.

Caledonia: 12 miles.

LaCrescent: 14 miles.