FirstBank, sometimes referred to as 1STBank, is a Colorado-based and privately held bank and financial services company that owns over 115 FirstBank locations in Colorado, Arizona, and California. Headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, it is the 2nd largest bank in Colorado by total deposits behind only Wells Fargo. On February 1, 2017, John Ikard, CEO, and Dave Baker, President, announced their retirement. Jim Reuter and Ron Tilton took over the CEO and President positions respectively and Emily Robinson succeeded Reuter's previous position as Chief Operating Officer. FirstBank is a member of the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation, often styled as Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
Overview
Founded by George and Everett Williams in partnership with Ira C. Rothgerber Jr. and William P. Johnson in 1963, FirstBank has expanded beyond a contender in the Denver Metro Area to one of the largest privately held banks in the country. As of December 2016, FirstBank had assets totaling $17B and more than $14B in deposits.
In 2010 FirstBank partnered with Community First Foundation to launch Colorado Gives Day - a 24-hour online drive to raise funds for Colorado non-profits. This was expanded beyond Colorado, in 2013, with the implementation of Arizona Gives Day - a collaboration between Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum.
History
On February 1, 1962, Everett and George Williams of Boulder met with Ira C. Rothgerber Jr. and William (Bill) P. Johnson of the Rothgerber, Appel and Powers law firm to discuss a possible bank charter application. Ira suggested that they locate the proposed bank in the then developing 40-acre Westland Shopping Center in Lakewood. Evertt, Ira and Bill Johnson met with Paul Ross, Chief National Bank Examiner, in Kansas City on March 12, 1962. The charter application for First Westland National Bank was filed on March 23, 1962. A number of bankers were interviewed and considered for the president position before Roger Reisher, Vice President of the Roeland Park State bank in Kansas City, was ultimately chosen.
FirstBank opened its doors to the public on February 28, 1963, under the name of Westland National Bank. The little bank thrived and though it was small, humorously referred to as the "Check Wagon", it had grown to over 800 accounts by the end of May. In early June the "Check Wagon" moved into its new building. Following success and rapid expansion in the 60's and 70's, all branches, including the holding company, operating under the Westland organization adopted the name 1stBank in 1978.
Key milestones
1963 - FirstBank opened its doors to the public under the name of First Westland National Bank.
1963 - FirstBank introduced Saturday morning banking to its customers in June. Being only the second bank in Denver to offer banking on weekends.
1965 - The troubled Erie Bank was purchased by First Westland National Bank and became the second extension of First Westland National Bank, though technically chartered separately at the time.
1967 - The State Application for the Bank of Vail was approved by the state and became the third bank extension of First Westland National Bank.
1967 - WEERVA Inc. (named after WEstland, ERie, and VAil) was created as a subsidiary for carrying out insurance activity.
1972 - Westland moves into its new building in Lakewood that would become the Holding Company.
1978 - All banks, including the holding company, operating under the Westland organization adopted the name 1stBank.
1985 - FirstBank opens first location outside of Colorado in Palm Desert, California.
1995 - FirstBank hits the World Wide Web with the domain www.1stbank.com.
1999 - Internet banking is offered to customers. John Ikard named President of the Holding Company.
2007 - FirstBank opens in Arizona with three locations opened in Phoenix.
2013 - FirstBank mobile banking app is introduced for download on Apple or Android devices.
2017 - Jim Reuter named CEO, Ron Tilton named President, and Emily Robinson named COO.
Awards & Accolades
- FirstBank named a Top Work Place by the Denver Post for six consecutive years: 2012-2017.
- 2017 Top Company Winner in Financial Services by ColoradoBiz Magazine.
- 2017 Colorado Community Media Reader's Choice Best of the Best - Bank/Credit Union - Winner.
- COO Emily Robinson named Denver Business Journal's 2017 Outstanding Women in Business.
- 2017 FirstBank was the highest ranked bank in AZ & CO for customer satisfaction by JD Power & Associates Retail Banking Study.
- 2014 ColoradoBiz Magazine's "Perkiest Companies," based on top workplaces for employee benefits.
- 2011 ColoradoBiz Magazine Top Company Award in Financial Services.
- 2011 Denver Business Journal Partners in Philanthropy Award
- 2010 ABA Community Banker of the Year (John Ikard - CEO).
- 2010 Denver Hispanic Chamber Top Corporate Advocate.
- 2010 American Banker Best in Banking Award
See also
- List of banks in Colorado
- 1stBank Center
References
External links
- Official site
