Pub. 16 2019 Issue 4

Issue 4 • 2019 23 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 BANK NEWS Century Bank Opens First Los Alamos Branch Santa Fe-based Century Bank recently opened a branch at 751 Trinity Dr., Los Alamos. Gary Lutz, re- gional president for Century Bank, told Albuquerque Business First that the bank was attracted to Los Alamos by its “vibrant community” and the fact that it is the headquarters of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The branch will offer consumer and commercial loans, along with retail and business banking and wealth man- agement services. Karen Easton is the bank’s branch manager for the Los Alamos location. “With the addition of this new branch, we are proud to become part of the Los Alamos community,” says Jeff Szabat, senior vice president of Century Bank. “As one of a handful of locally owned banks in New Mexico, we believe that our values and relationship-based banking set us apart.” Four Corners Community Bank Rebuilding Farmington Branch Farmington-based Four Corners Community Bank recent- ly completed the demolition of its 47-year-old 20th St. branch in Farmington. The rebuilding of that branch will start imme- diately, with project completion expected within the year — a year that also marks the bank’s 20th anniversary. “We are thrilled to be in a position to invest in this com- munity and provide our customers with a new, modern, and technologically advanced banking experience,” says Sheila Mathews, president and CEO. “The replacement of the former building will increase the property value of all those around it, as well as brighten the east end of 20th Street.” A bright, open floor plan will feature universal bankers providing a wider range of banking services compared to traditional tellers. The model has already been suc- cessfully implemented in other Four Corners Community Bank branches in Farmington, and Cortez and Durango, Colorado. During the rebuild, directional signage will lead customers to an on-site mobile unit located directly south of the former building. n IN MEMORIAM Eric Sandberg Eric Sandberg, Texas Bankers Association Executive, passed away on Oct. 9 at the age of 72. He served for al- most a decade as president and CEO of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) in Austin. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Sandberg served in a variety of leadership roles with financial trade associations, culminating as president and CEO of TBA from 2009 to 2018. Prior to working for TBA, he served as the head of the Texas Savings and Community Bank- ers Association and Texas Savings and Loan League. He also served as a member of the State Association of Trade Executives for America’s Community Bankers. Many New Mexico bankers worked with Eric when he headed the Texas Savings and Loan League after it merged with the New Mexico League. Robert M. Goodman Robert M. Goodman, 75, passed away on Nov. 5, 2019. Bob earned his Bachelors’ (’66) and Masters’ (’72) in Business Administration from UNM. After college, Bob began his banking career at First National Banks as a management trainee, rising from assistant cashier to assistant manager of the East Central Branch, becoming their youngest officer at age 22. After graduate school, Bob continued his career at Citizens Bank, becoming vice pres- ident of administration in 1976. Bob was hired by Sunwest Bank in 1984, becoming executive vice president, chief credit officer and, ulti - mately, President in 1995. When Sunwest merged with Nationsbank, Bob joined First Place Financial of Farm- ington and as CEO, opened Capital Bank in Albuquerque as a community bank with its own charter. When Capital Bank became part of Wells Fargo, Bob left to become vice chairman and director at Bank of Albuquerque. He was responsible for the wealth management area including private financial services. After Bob retired from Bank of Albuquerque, he served eight years as president and CEO of the Sandia Foundation. n