ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 24, 2025--
Bridgewater Bank, a leading Twin Cities bank focused on meeting the unique needs of successful individuals and entrepreneurs, is pleased to announce that Jeff Bajek is joining its expanding team as SVP, Senior Credit Officer on December 1, 2025.
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Bajek is an accomplished banking leader with more than 30 years of experience in C&I lending, credit risk management, and SBA loan operations. Most recently, he served as Chief Credit Officer and Shareholder at Platinum Bank, where he led strategic credit and lending initiatives, helped drive efforts that expanded the loan portfolio from $210 million to $610 million in five years, and built and scaled a national SBA lending platform that ranked among the top 10 percent nationwide. His career also includes executive credit leadership roles at Choice Financial, Venture Bank, Peoples Bank of Commerce, and Richfield Bank & Trust.
In his new role, Bajek will partner with commercial banking and credit underwriting teams to support growth across the bank’s C&I verticals, including SBA lending. He will also play a key role in further strengthening Bridgewater’s credit and risk management systems, enhancing credit policies and processes, and ensuring alignment between credit strategy, growth, and disciplined risk oversight.
“Jeff’s deep C&I expertise, strategic insight, and proven leadership will be instrumental in driving growth while bolstering the strong credit culture Bridgewater Bank is known for,” said Katie Morrell, Chief Credit Officer at Bridgewater Bank. “We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the BWB team.”
About Bridgewater Bank
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB) is a St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based financial holding company founded in 2005. Its banking subsidiary, Bridgewater Bank, is a premier, full-service bank dedicated to providing responsive support and simple solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs, and successful individuals across the Twin Cities. Bridgewater offers a comprehensive suite of products and services spanning deposits, lending, and treasury management solutions. Bridgewater has received numerous awards for its banking services and esteemed corporate culture. With total assets of $5.4 billion and nine strategically located branches as of September 30, 2025, Bridgewater is one of the largest locally-led banks in Minnesota and is committed to being the finest entrepreneurial bank. For more information, please visit www.bridgewaterbankmn.com. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
Jeff Bajek SVP, Senior Credit Officer
ATLANTA (AP) — Drake Baldwin drove in four runs with a pair of two-out hits, Chris Sale pitched one-hit ball over six innings and the Atlanta Braves wrapped up their season-opening homestand with a 5-1 victory over the struggling Athletics on Wednesday.
Baldwin had a two-run single off Athletics starter Luis Severino (0-1) in the second and added a two-run double in the fourth to give Sale (2-0) some breathing room after Shea Langeliers hit his fifth homer of the season — the lone base-runner allowed by the Atlanta left-hander.
Baldwin's two-bagger came after he fouled off four straight 3-2 pitches from Elvis Alvarado, prompting the organist to belt out “Stayin’ Alive.”
Finally, on the 11th pitch of the at-bat, the reigning NL rookie of the year lined a 97 mph fastball to the wall in right-center. Matt Olson followed with a seeing-eye single up the middle to bring home Baldwin.
Baldwin nearly had a homer in the seventh, but Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke leaped above the wall to make a dazzling catch.
It was another strong outing for Sale, who threw six scoreless innings against Kansas City on opening night. Two days after his 37th birthday, he pushed the Braves to a 4-2 mark through the first week. A year ago, Atlanta lost its first seven games on the road and went on to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The Athletics can relate, having started the season with just one win through their first six games. Langeliers has been one of the few bright spots, grabbing the MLB home run lead with his towering, 355-foot drive that barely cleared the left-field wall.
Severino struggled with his control, walking five and throwing just 49 of his 91 pitches for strikes before he was lifted after 3 1/3 innings.
Athletics: LH Jeffrey Springs (0-0, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound Friday night for the home opener against the Astros.
Braves: RH Reynaldo López (0-0, 1.50) gets his second start Thursday night at Arizona to begin a four-game series and Atlanta's first road trip of the season.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) attempts on Athletics' Shea Langeliers solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Athletics' Shea Langeliers (23) celebrates his solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Athletics third baseman Andy Ibáñez (77) mags the tag on Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) deleivers against the Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Braves' Dominic Smith and Ozzie Albies, from left, celebrate scoring off the bat of Atlanta Braves' Drake Baldwin in the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
