Recent News

Check out what's happening at First Southwest Bank

Yuri Cendejas headshot
03/23/2023

Yuri Cendejas Promoted to Regional Branch Manager

First Southwest Bank (FSWB) is excited to announce Yuri Cendejas' promotion to Regional Branch Manager based in Alamosa…

Amy Brenneman headshot
02/16/2023

Amy Brenneman Joins the FSWB Team

We are pleased to announce Amy Brenneman has joined the bank as its new Marketing and Communications Specialist…

Leadership Alamosa event
01/31/2023

FSWB and FSWCF Employees Graduate from Inaugural Leadership Alamosa Program

Congratulations to the 16 graduates of the inaugural Leadership Alamosa program…

Jim Vanhorn headshot
01/06/2023

FSWB Welcomes Jim Van Horn as Specialized Lender

Jim has more than 20 years of experience in government-backed and commercial lending with both community banks and large commercial banks…

Katy Dickey and Taylor Horst
03/31/2023

FSWB’s Katy Dickey Named Who’s Who in Agriculture Honoree by Denver Business Journal

Katy Dickey, Premier Relationship Manager and Senior Vice President at First Southwest Bank (FSWB), was named one of 22 winners of the Denver Business Journal’s 2023 Who’s Who in Agriculture program.

Sherry Waner - Headshot
11/15/2022

Sherry Waner appointed to Office of Financial Empowerment Council

Colorado Attorney General, Phil Weiser, has appointed Sherry Waner, Chief Development Officer at First Southwest Bank (FSWB), to serve on the Financial Empowerment Council…

Mark Lobato headshot
10/26/2022

Manuel “Mark” Lobato joins FSWB as COO

FSWB announced today the appointment of Manuel “Mark” Lobato as Chief Operations Officer…

Young couple inspecting the soil on their farm
10/21/2022

FSWB named lending partner for CO Ag Future Loan Program

In partnership with the CDA, First Southwest Bank will offer financially-inclusive lending to sustain Colorado agricultural businesses across the state…

Azarel Madrigal headshot
05/23/2023

FSWB ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF AZAREL MADRIGAL TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"I am pleased to welcome Azarel Madrigal to the FSWB Board," said Kent Curtis, FSWB CEO and President...

Kent Curtis and Kristy Esquibel
08/15/2022

First Southwest Bank Receives 2022 Spirit of Alamosa Award

Award recognizes the bank’s dedication to support small businesses, startups and nonprofits in Southern and rural Colorado…

Kristy Esquibel headshot
05/25/2023

FSWB Announces the Appointment of Kristy Esquibel as Chief Credit Officer, EVP

An experienced banking professional, Ms. Esquibel will be responsible for managing FSWB’s credit quality and policy, overseeing consumer and commercial underwriting, loan operations, and special assets.

Bolder Banking podcast logo
06/28/2022

The Bolder Banking Podcast: Episode 8

Conversation With Kent Curtis and Sherry Waner…

Sherry Accepts SBA award
05/06/2022

FSWB Named 2022 Community/Rural Lender of the Year

Industry recognition underscores bank’s commitment to support economic development in rural Colorado…

05/10/2023

INVEsting in Our Region’s Business Community

First Southwest Bank was proud to serve as title sponsor at the 11th Annual Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference, hosted by the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center,

West Slope Startup Week
08/21/2023

FUELING ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN WESTERN AND RURAL COLORADO

First Southwest Bank (FSWB) is proud to sponsor West Slope Startup Week (WSSW), August 21-25 in Durango, CO. 

WSSW is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in rural Colorado.


Joseph Garcia headshot
08/28/2023

fswb's joseph garcia earns prestigious banking diploma

Joseph Garcia, Controller, Sr. Vice President of First Southwest Bank, has graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado’s state-of-the-art graduate school of banking program.

Financial Inclusion Summit 2023
08/03/2023

Building a More Inclusive and Equitable Banking System in Colorado

First Southwest Bank (FSWB) recently participated in an important dialogue around financial inclusion in Colorado. Sherry Waner, FSWB Chief Development Officer, attended the Bank On Colorado Financial Inclusion Summit hosted by the Colorado Office of Financial Empowerment on July 25th in Denver. 


Financial Inclusion Summit 2023
08/02/2023

Celebrating and Supporting Colorado’s Agriculture Industry thru Partnerships

First Southwest Bank (FSWB) was proud to sponsor the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA) Annual Conference, hosted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), July 23-26 in Denver, CO.



Colorado Gives Day
12/05/2022

FSWB Supports Regional Nonprofits on Colorado Gives Day 2022

In support of our area nonprofits, FSWB is an advocate of Colorado Gives Day (CGD), December 6th…


Lease agreement to be signed
09/23/2022

First Southwest Bank Announces Rental Micro-Loan Program

In response to the statewide housing crisis, and as a Certified Community Development Financial Institution, First Southwest Bank (FSWB) is offering low-cost, fixed rate micro-loan…

Norwood, Colorado’s newest affordable housing development
07/21/2022

FSWB Helping Make Homeownership a Reality

The ground has broken on Norwood, Colorado’s newest affordable housing development, Pinion Park!…

Closeup of an old piece of painted pottery
03/30/2023

FSWCF and FSWB Release 2022 Impact Report

The First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF), in collaboration with First Southwest Bank (FSWB), today released its 2022 Impact Report(Opens in a new Window) that highlights its growth and ongoing commitment to remain a catalyst for economic equity in rural Colorado.

The American flag
06/02/2023

Veterans Helping Veterans

Jim Van Horn, FSWB Specialized Lender and veteran, shares resources that provide small business support for veterans in an effort to drive veteran-owned business growth in rural Colorado.

West Slope Startup Week
08/21/2023

FUELING ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN WESTERN AND RURAL COLORADO

First Southwest Bank (FSWB) is proud to sponsor West Slope Startup Week (WSSW), August 21-25 in Durango, CO. 

WSSW is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in rural Colorado.


Desert Sun Coffee Roasters logo
02/28/22

A Local Success Story

As Durango’s locally-owned, independent community bank, we work to improve the social and economic landscape of rural Colorado…




































Riff Raff Brewing Company
2/5/2022

turning dreams into reality

Capital and technical assistance from FSWB turns a dream into reality for this successful Pagosa Springs business.

Picture of a pup looking into the camera on a pink background
01/18/2022

Funding for Success

Funding provides a very important source of capital at a crucial time in company's development.

Sorting recycling at a facility
12/15/2021

Fueling innovation

Providing resources to fuel innovation for local businesses.

A kayaker in the Grand Canyon
12/5/2021

A need drives innovation

Mother-son entrepreneurs transform the packraft industry.

Multiple potatoes harvested
3/21/2022

making the impossible possible

FSWB steps in when securing capital seemed impossible for this SLV business.

Animas Chocolate Company
4/14/22

financing local business expansion

SBA Express loan allows local business to expand operations and hire additional staff.

Old photo of Conoco at the 11th Street Station location
5/21/22

Small Business Loan

FSWB Small Business Loan helps launch local watering hole.

Papa Murphy's in Alamosa
6/30/22

Financing for a start-up franchise

SBA loan ensures local entrepreneur has the capital needed to start a successful franchise.

White Rock Specialties potato processing
7/11/22

local farms launch package company with help from fswb

FSWB walked the founders through the startup process, including acquiring and repurposing an old school building, retrofitting the space with equipment, expanding the utility capacity, and more. 

Chinook Medical Gear
8/17/22

innovative capital solutions

FSWB provides innovative capital solutions for employees to purchase their local Durango business.

Desert Sun Coffee Roasters logo
2/28/22

mentorship for small business owner

FSWB works with local entrepreneur to purchase small business. 
























Customer using her laptop for online banking
04/18/2023

First Southwest Bank offers financial education resources through CentSai

Through articles, videos and step-by-step instructions, CentSai makes planning and managing finances easy and less intimidating.