Contact: Jeanne Lipson, Vice President, Director of Marketing
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FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SANTA FE ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE HIRES
Key positions filled to strengthen banking operations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, (Santa Fe, NM, November 11, 2015) John Asbury, president and CEO of First
National Bank of Santa Fe, announces executive additions to its retail banking and operations teams.
These strategic hires are key steps in strengthening the core banking foundation of First National Santa
Fe and First National Rio Grande.
“Attracting banking executives of top-notch caliber is part of First National’s commitment to invest in
the communities we serve with the most talented people, outstanding customer service, and local
decision making.” said Asbury. “The depth of experience, knowledge, and skills of our new colleagues
make a great statement regarding the confidence they have in First National and the services we
provide to our customers.”
James Kitzmiller has joined First National as vice president and senior retail operations officer, bringing
30 years of experience in retail banking operations and procedures. In this role he is responsible for the
customer experience throughout First National’s branch locations. As part of First National’s
commitment to financial strength and stability, it has brought on Kristin Paulson as vice president and
audit manager. She is a CPA with ten years of experience in internal audit including at a Fortune 500
financial services firm.
By making these hires, First National is executing on its strategy to deliver an excellent client experience
backed by skilled banking professionals. “The strength of First National’s teams comes from our
experience and commitment to our communities. This part of our culture is essential not only to our
success but also to the success of our customers.” said Michelle Coons, president of First National Santa
Fe and First National Rio Grande.
About First National
Chartered in 1870 as the first bank in the Southwest, First National Bank of Santa Fe has a rich heritage
of community commitment and financial strength and stability. With $1.68 billion in assets (as of
September 30, 2015), First National is the largest locally chartered banking organization in the state of
New Mexico operating as First National Rio Grande and First National Santa Fe. In Colorado, the Bank
operates as First National Denver.
First National operates through 25 branch locations in Colorado and New Mexico. Its bank holding
company Strategic Growth Bancorp Incorporated is headquartered in El Paso, Texas and is building a
leading community bank enterprise in the Southwestern United States, which also includes Capital Bank,
headquartered in El Paso, Texas.
To learn more, visit www.firstnationalsantafe.com
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