Sam Anderson
Vice President, Credit Officer IV
ANB Bank
How did you get started in the banking industry?
I am a third-generation banker and was exposure to banking from a young age by watching my father build a lifelong career in the industry. Upon graduating college, an opportunity arose to be an underwriter with ANB bank. I thought the chance to understand credit and learn more about banking could be a great start to a career, even if it didn’t lead to a life-long career. Nine years later, I am still with ANB and have enjoyed taking on a variety of roles and responsibilities within the bank’s central credit department, building a banking career of my own.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The fact that we, as a bank, are involved in our customers’ most meaningful endeavors is always both rewarding and humbling to me. It is extremely rewarding to assist as a bank in growing someone’s business, with purchasing a new home or building, or by providing financing for low-income housing in communities across our footprint. It is always a point of pride when I am out in the community and recognize a project ANB helped finance that has made a positive impact on the community.
What are you most proud of in your professional life so far?
In 2020, when we were in the initial throes of the pandemic and figuring out how to navigate PPP loans, I was awarded a unique opportunity to assist with building an internal bank process to get PPP applications accurately submitted to the SBA and ultimately funded for our scrambling customers. The work was fast-paced and the hours long, but our ability to deliver during a time of need for our customers — and then to actually pick up many new customers along the way because ANB was quick to act and our service was attentive and personal — was an incredibly rewarding experience.
What do you geek out about?
Ice hockey! I currently skate twice a week in rec leagues and have played consistently since age four. I try to follow all things hockey-related, including the NHL, collegiate and even Canadian major junior teams.
Drew Esquivel
Vice President
FirstBank
How did you get started in the banking industry?
I started in the banking industry right after college. However, I was a non-traditional student. While in school, I worked for a company that conducted loss control inspections and premium audits. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in banking long-term, but I decided to give it a shot and ended up really enjoying it.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I am fluent in Spanish, allowing me to work with the Hispanic community. Being able to build relationships while offering tools for financial literacy is the most rewarding part for me. I enjoy seeing my customers, who came to this country with very little, build their businesses and real estate portfolios, and create generational wealth to leave for their children.
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation?
Enduring dad jokes for 20 minutes could be quite challenging! On a more serious note, I am passionate about discussing capitalism, not just as an economic system but also as a philosophy and its positive impact over the past 250 years. I have studied this topic for many years and believe morality and capitalism are not mutually exclusive as many would think. Instead, they complement each other and contribute to creating a better world.
What is your favorite movie or book, and why?
My favorite book is “The Great Gatsby.” It was one of the first books that I truly enjoyed reading. The story is captivating, and while Jay Gatsby may not have made the best choices, he is an example of how your circumstances do not define you. Fun fact: I collect copies of “The Great Gatsby.”
Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know.
I was adopted and later in life discovered my biological family. I spent two years as a missionary in Mexico City, which helped me connect with my heritage. During COVID, I took a leap of faith and did an ancestry DNA test, which ultimately led to me connecting with my biological sister. She is now one of my closest friends.
Brita Jones
Director of Training
Bank of Colorado
How did you get started in the banking industry?
My high school encouraged us to explore various career paths through job shadowing. I chose to shadow both a dental hygienist and a banker. It didn’t take long for me to realize that dental work was not my calling! However, I found my experience at the bank quite exciting. Fortunately, during my senior year, I participated in a work/study program at a local family-owned bank. I was given various tasks, from shredding old documents in a dusty basement to microfiche scanning, encoding tickets, filing reports and serving as a teller. After high school, I worked at another family-owned bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, while attending college. Upon graduating, I moved to Colorado where I’ve continued my banking career for the past 20 years. Fun fact: My initial job-shadowing experience was with Pinnacle Bank (owned by the same family as Bank of Colorado), bringing my journey full circle from Nebraska in 1999 to joining Bank of Colorado in 2017!
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Being involved in the onboarding process for all our new employees and witnessing their growth from the start is extremely fulfilling. I truly enjoy meeting everyone as they embark on their exciting new journey with Bank of Colorado. Building strong connections with our staff and aiding in their professional development through training and resources keeps me motivated and engaged. I take great pleasure in seeing individuals join us with no prior banking experience and, over time, advance into different roles within the company, expanding their skills and discovering their passion for banking, much like I have.
What makes your bank unique?
I have always valued working for family-owned banks, and Bank of Colorado is the fourth such bank in my career. The sense of family here is deep-rooted. From the moment I joined, my capabilities, ideas and suggestions were met with trust and support. The internal culture of our bank extends outward to our customers, making them feel like part of the family as well. We stand with our customers and communities through their challenges and celebrations alike.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Banking has always been a passion of mine. As a child, my grandma would give me blank deposit slips and old checks to play with, while my grandpa regularly visited my pretend bank as my favorite customer. We even set up a “pretend ATM!” I also had an interest in education, and it seems I’ve managed to blend both interests seamlessly in my career.
What is your favorite book and why?
My recent favorite read is “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. As an avid reader of historical fiction, I found this novel particularly powerful. It beautifully highlights deep friendships, courage and immense strength. Furthermore, it casts a well-deserved spotlight on the women who served in the military during the Vietnam War, addressing significant yet often overlooked topics.
