Banking on It - November 2002

First National Bank of Nevada

Growing with the State

by Kathleen Foley

A family-owned and operated bank, First National Bank of Nevada (FNBN) recently announced plans to purchase three Las Vegas branches from First Republic Bank. The purchase will expand the bank to 13 branches statewide: eight in Las Vegas, three in Reno, and one each in Laughlin and Carson City. The sale, expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2003, will bring FNBN’s assets to more than $500 million. The bank, founded in 1999, is led by Denny Williams, president of community banking Northern Nevada, and Dave Groshong, president of community banking Southern Nevada.

FNBN is owned by First National Bank Holding Company, which also owns First National Bank of Arizona. The two-state enterprise is controlled by one shareholder, Raymond Lamb, who has 30 years of banking experience in the Midwest. "Our owner is very entrepreneurial," said Groshong. "This gives us the flexibility to offer custom-tailored solutions to our clients." Groshong said the bank’s entrepreneurial attitude makes it a good choice for business customers, who appreciate having accessibility to the highest levels of management. "We truly are a community bank," he noted. "We can offer the small-bank feel and face-to-face contact, like in the old days of banking. We spend time on the front end getting to know our customers, so we can find out how to better meet their needs."

FNBN offers a comprehensive package of business and personal deposit and loan products, as well as a wide array of services that include: no ATM fees at any of their ATM locations; ATM Visa Check Cards; Visa Credit Cards; Merchant Bankcard Services; on-line and telephone banking; lockbox services; banking by appointment; personal deposit accounts; consumer loans; mortgage banking services and construction loans. Business services include business loans, lines of credit and term loans. FNBN also offers U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, including SBA 7(a), SBA 504 and SBA Low Doc loans and is a certified SBA lender.

David Groshong joined First National Bank of Nevada in 1999, bringing with him over 27 years of banking experience. As president of community banking for the southern part of the state, he maintains full responsibility for lending and deposit services and retail investment product sales and supervises over 40 employees. He said the recent wave of mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry has allowed FNBN to expand its staff with experienced personnel. Groshong also serves as a member of the bank’s board of directors and serves on the board of the Nevada Bankers’ Association.

Denny Williams, president of community banking for the northern region, approaches his job with a proactive attitude. "When you head up operations that include marketing, public relations, lending, retail banking, private banking and anything else that comes down the pike, you have to be willing to move," he said. "You can’t wait for issues to find you – you have to find them first." A native Nevadan and graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Williams has more than 31 years of banking experience.

Kathleen Foley
Kathleen Foley is a freelance writer based in Southern Nevada.