Well-rounded relationships are the cornerstone of Fort Collins Commerce Bank. The early success of our bank, I am proud to point out, has helped launch additional Capitol Bancorp affiliate banks in Colorado.
The past year was just our second complete year in business. While the banking competition is fierce, our bank has successfully faced the challenges because the types of business we seek are the relationships that make sense. This steady and consistent approach of serving our clients and earning their business has resulted in many profitable transactions for our bank.
For example, last year we had a client who wanted to sell his restaurant business. We helped him structure the deal and then introduced him to the party that eventually bought the business. Our bank made a loan to the buyer, establishing a full banking relationship. We then worked with the seller to reinvest the proceeds from the sale. Similarly, we have a long-time client who decided to sell his manufacturing business. We helped him position his company to maximize its sales potential and introduced him to the advisors he ultimately selected to facilitate the sale. The Capitol Wealth Advisors investment executive at our bank is working with this client to invest the proceeds.
In the community, our officers are active with organizations that benefit youth and education. I am currently a board member and chairman-elect of the Larimer County Partners Mentoring Youth. I am a speaker and guest lecturer at Colorado State University and a volunteer with the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Larimer County and a local elementary school. We also have officers who volunteer with a parent-teacher organization at another local elementary school and Junior Achievement.
Our business goal is to add value, take care of clients and pursue relationships that make sense. This simple approach has resulted in another successful year for our bank and the anticipation of many more to come. We are proud to be the Capitol Bancorp trailblazer in Colorado, paving the way for other successful affiliates in our state.
— C. Gerard Nalezny, President & CEO