FORT COLLINS, Colo. – June 20, 2016 – The merger between First Express of Nebraska, Inc., the holding company for Western States Bank and Valley Bank and Trust Co., and First Wyoming Bancorporation, the holding company for Wyoming State Bank, is now complete. As the banks come together, new Western States Bank branding and signage has been unveiled and e-banking services including a new online banking system at WSB.bank, new mobile app and integration with PopMoney are now available for customers.
“The past few months have been filled with excitement as team members throughout Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming unified as the Western States Bank team,” said Gary Crum, President and CEO of Western States Bank. “We believe that when our clients, communities, and employees work in harmony, combining strengths and accomplishing goals, each of us becomes stronger and better. Reaching this milestone means our customers and communities will start to reap the rewards of a stronger, regionally-integrated bank. The Western States Bank team is excited and ready.”
Western States Bank’s two Fort Collins branches and Loveland branch will each hold a customer and community celebration day during bank hours Thursday, June 30 to commemorate this milestone moment.
The New Western States Bank Brand
The new Western States Bank brand is representative of the geographies, communities and collaboration as the three banks come together. The color palette evolved out of colors found in nature throughout Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The layering effect of the colors symbolizes harmony and working in concert with the communities the bank serves. It highlights a sense of intermingling and being integrated in the community, a core value rooted in the bank, its people and its customers.
Signage and collateral changes throughout northern Colorado and other Western States Bank regions began last week and will continue in phases throughout 2016 until completion.
Enhanced E-Banking Tools for Customers
In January, Western States Bank launched the website WSB.bank with information and details on the merger. The bank was one of the first to register a .bank domain, which provides a higher level of security than a .com address.
The new online banking system has been integrated into the secure WSB.bank website and offers customers more control over how they manage their accounts. New for customers is access to PopMoney, which allows customers to securely send or receive money using a mobile phone number or email. Western States Bank is also launching a new Business Bill Pay system, specifically designed to meet the needs of its business customers.
The bank’s new branded mobile app offers customers access to mobile capture, payments, locations and more. Western States Bank is working to also bring EMV debit cards, CardValet, Apple Pay, Android Pay and instant issue debit cards to customers as it expands its e-banking portfolio.
“This is truly a celebration for us and the beginning of a new era of community banking in northern Colorado,” said Craig Ockers, Chairman of the Western States Bank Board of Directors. “Our new brand, enhanced e-banking services and the synergy that has come with the new Western States Bank are representative of the great things to come.”
Background on the Merger
The merger agreement, announced Jan. 7, 2016, combined Western States Bank, Valley Bank and Trust Co., and Wyoming State Bank for a total of $57 million in equity and $525 million in assets. The Boards of Directors of both companies unanimously approved the agreement. The banks will operate under the name Western States Bank. Valley Bank and Trust Co. was started in 1988 and leading up to the merger, operated 11 branches in Western Nebraska and Colorado. The Colorado locations operate under the Western States Bank brand name. Wyoming State Bank opened in 2006, and had three locations in Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyo. Now, all 14 branches throughout Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming are part of Western States Bank.
About Western States Bank
Western States Bank focuses on building partnerships. By looking beyond financial transactions, amazing things happen. Clients are heard, respected, and understood. Life goals are achieved. And communities grow stronger. Western States Bank and you: Better together. Western States Bank has 14 branches throughout Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Find your branch and learn more at WSB.bank.
Media contact: Nicole Yost, Fyn PR, 970.776.9980, [email protected]