Pub. 14 2017 Issue 2

O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S 6 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MIKE LOWRIMORE NMBA PRESIDENT Bank of the West If you work hard and do a good job, you will be rewarded in the banking business. In our industry, a lot of people have started off at an entry level position. What has been the best part of being in the banking industry? I have met and helped many, many people in my 37 years in New Mexico banking. Both employ- ees and customers have brought me great memories. Many of the great relationships I have today are a result of my work in banking. We should be proud to be in an industry that can have such a profound and positive impact on people’s lives. H ow did you get started in banking? I started in banking in 1980 at the age of 18 in Alamogordo. The preacher at my church told me that a local bank was looking for someone to run errands. I was married and looking for a future so I applied. I was very fortunate that Alamogordo Federal Savings and Loan (now known as Bank 34) took a chance on me. I will always have a special place in my heart for Bank 34. Later, I worked at First National Bank for R.B. Holmes. R.B. taught me an enormous amount about banking and being a better person. I owe him a great deal.