DENVER – Kent Curtis, President & CEO of First Southwest Bank, with six locations serving southern Colorado, will serve on the Colorado Bankers Association Board of Directors for a multi-year term.

The Board of Directors of the Colorado Bankers Association leads the organization in its policy and industry advocacy efforts. The Colorado Bankers Association represents more than 95 percent of the 129 banks operating in Colorado, which have $190 billion in assets, 1,445 branches across the state and more than 20,000 dedicated employees.

The organization strives to ensure the Board is representative of banks in every part of the state. Directors serve three-year terms; officers serve a yearlong term.

“Serving on the CBA board affords bankers to amplify their customers’ voices at the state and federal levels,” said Jenifer Waller, president of the Colorado Bankers Association. “As our country works to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, bankers’ input is particularly vital to ensuring a better today and stronger tomorrow for Colorado’s economy and people.”

With over 25 years of successful banking experience, and proven abilities in all facets of management, motivation, team building, lending, and turn-around, Kent Curtis has held various executive officer positions as well as board memberships throughout his community banking career.

The son of a banker, Kent began his journey as a banker and entrepreneur upon graduation from Fort Lewis College in 1982. Kent currently serves as President & CEO of First Southwest Bank. With a desire to differentiate First Southwest Bank in the post-Great Recession era, Kent led the bank to its CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) designation in November of 2014. As a CDFI Bank, First Southwest Bank cultivates valuable relationships, invests in economic and social doers, and fosters a well-lived rural culture.