FirstBank Celebrates Fifty Years

Colorado’s Largest Locally Owned Bank Marks 50^th Anniversary Milestone with Employee and Customer Appreciation

LAKEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FirstBank Holding Company, the Lakewood-based holding company for the largest locally owned banking organization in Colorado, is today kicking off its fiftieth anniversary celebration. Founded on Feb. 28, 1963 and on the principle of doing what is right for local communities, FirstBank is marking this milestone by thanking customers and employees for their loyalty.

“I joined FirstBank in 1981 and quickly realized it was a special company”

On February 23, FirstBank held a special event to recognize employees who have been with the company for 10 or more years, a group which represents a remarkable 40 percent of the FirstBank team, as well as all retired employees who were with the bank for 20 years or more. Many of the 1,040 current employees attending the event began their careers at FirstBank and grew with the company — a result of the bank’s philosophy of promoting almost exclusively from within.

“I joined FirstBank in 1981 and quickly realized it was a special company,” said John Ikard, CEO of FirstBank Holding Company. “Five decades after our founding, FirstBank remains dedicated to great customer service and loyal to our employees and communities. These guiding principles, along with our conservative, long-term approach to the business of banking, have allowed FirstBank to weather bad economies, provide stability to our employees and customers and give back more than $45 million to local nonprofit organizations.”

In addition to the employee celebration, FirstBank will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary with customers by:

• Serving cake at all locations on February 28
• Leading an ongoing Facebook and Twitter trivia giveaways
• Highlighting a customer of the month on efirstbank.com and social media channels

Financial Stability

FirstBank’s conservative, consistent approach to the business of banking has made them the top locally owned bank in Colorado by deposits and second in the state overall by the same measure. The company showed growth even through recent challenging economic conditions. From the onset of the recession in 2008, FirstBank has reported record profits, growing assets 37 percent over the last four years.

In October 2011, banks faced revenue losses associated with card swipe fees and turned to checking as a revenue stream. In Colorado alone, 90 percent of the state’s biggest banks increased checking fees. FirstBank, however, reaffirmed its commitment to free checking for all customers, which it continues today.

Community Involvement

The company made an early commitment to philanthropy and since 2000 has donated more than $40 million and thousands of volunteer hours to local and national nonprofit organizations. FirstBank is also the lead sponsor for Colorado Gives Day. As lead sponsor of this state-wide day of giving, FirstBank has donated $1.4 million to this effort over the last three years and helped raise more than $35 million for Colorado nonprofits.

Recognition

FirstBank’s efforts to do what is right for local communities, employees and customers have been recognized by local and national organizations including:

• American Banker – Best in Banking award
• ColoradoBiz – Top Company
• Denver Business Journal – Partners in Philanthropy award
• Denver Business Journal – Giving Guide
• Denver Post – Top Workplaces
• Workplace Dynamics – National Top Workplaces

Geographic Expansion

After operating in Colorado for more than 20 years, FirstBank grew its geographic footprint by opening branches in Arizona and California. The company first expanded in 1985, with a branch in Palm Desert, Calif. Today there are five FirstBank branches in Palm Desert and the surrounding areas. In 2007, FirstBank opened its first Arizona branch and currently has 11 branches in the state. FirstBank has more than 115 locations in three states, including the recently opened Glenwood Springs branch in Colorado.

About FirstBank

FirstBank operates more than 115 locations in Colorado, Arizona and California. FirstBank is the largest locally owned banking organization in Colorado, serving more than 600,000 customers. Since 2000, FirstBank has contributed more than $40 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. FirstBank is unique in that a majority of its stock is owned by management and employees. For more information, go to www.efirstbank.com.

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