HPB Longmont photo

High Plains Bank Longmont Branch Turns Ten!

Photo: Wes Isbutt

High Plains Bank Longmont 10th Anniversary

In early 2013, High Plains Bank Longmont began in John Creighton’s garage with four other entrepreneurial-minded people. A few months later, the bank opened the doors at 600 Kimbark Street on March 11, 2013. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Longmont team has grown to more than 30 full time employees, and ushered in a new era of leadership changes and new offerings to better serve the growing Longmont community. 

HPB Longmont historic staff photo

Longmont - The Place We Call Home

“My wife and I have been part of the Longmont community since 2001,” says John Creighton, High Plains Bank CEO. “This is where we raised our children. We wanted to bring our family business, banking, to the place we call home.” 

Chris McVay, Chief Development Officer, and past Longmont Market President first met John Creighton through the St. Vrain Longmont Rotary Club; the two stayed in touch over the years. “John contacted me in 2012 and told me he was opening a bank in Longmont,” shares McVay. “I had no idea he had banking in his family!” 

From the beginning, the goal was clear – to establish an authentic community bank in Longmont. Creighton and McVay were joined by Michelle Hovdesven, the current Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and Rose Hopman, the bank’s Community Support Service Specialist, all who are still with the bank. The rest, as they say, is High Plains Bank (and Longmont) history. 

In 2019, the bank expanded to add a second floor to the Kimbark location, in response to the population boom happening in Longmont. When High Plains Bank began in Longmont in 2013, the population had reached 90,000 residents. A decade later, Longmont has more than 100k residents and is one of the fastest growing cities along the Front Range.

Shared Vision of Community Impact

As with all High Plains Bank locations, a majority of the Longmont team are local to the area and engaged in many aspects of the Longmont community, from the Left Hand Brewing Foundation, the Longmont Economic Development Partners, the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, the Longs Peak Hospital Foundation, the OUR Center, Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, the St. Vrain Valley Education Foundation, El Comite, Intercambio, A Way Forward, and many more. 

"For 10 years, High Plains Bank has been a force for good in Longmont.” says Scott Cook, CEO of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce. “From giving a new entrepreneur a chance, to supporting a myriad of nonprofit organizations, High Plains Bank's impact on the community is broad and far reaching. The Longmont Chamber looks forward to another 10 years of partnership."

One period of time stands out as a point of pride – how the entire bank responded to supporting small businesses at the onset of the 2020 pandemic. “Small businesses are the heart and soul of our community,” John Creighton says. “It was a privilege to play a role in helping through such a challenging time.” 

The commitment to local businesses is central to what makes the bank tick. “The most rewarding part has been seeing all the businesses we’ve helped get started and grow,” says Chris McVay. “Many would not have been able to get financing elsewhere, but through our creativity and support of the High Plains Bank board and ownership, we’ve been able to bring craft banking to Longmont.”

Photo of Unity Tshirt
385 Main Street Longmont photo

As Longmont Grows, So Does the Bank’s Community Impact

In November 2022, the bank added a dedicated Trust, Estate, and Investment Services department, led by Jane M. Cox, Senior Vice President and Trust Officer, who brings thirty-one years specifically in Trust and Wealth Management serving the greater Longmont community. "Jane and her team's approach to serving customers with compassion align closely with the bank's core values,” says John Creighton.

In December 2022, High Plains Bank welcomed Narciso Garibay, a highly respected banking professional and Boulder County native, as the new Longmont Market President, to continue the growth in Longmont and lead the bank’s bilingual leadership team to support Latino customers and business owners.

 "We have long aspired to be a bank that can truly serve our entire community," said John Creighton. "Narciso will help us develop ways to better serve those in our community who identify as Hispanic and Latino, among other initiatives. He is the perfect leader to help the bank take things to the next level in Longmont."

In late 2022, the bank acquired 385 Main Street, which will house the Trust, Estate, and Investment Services and Loan departments, allowing the bank to strengthen its presence in Downtown Longmont, as well as further deepen the bank’s community impact and ways to serve their customers. 

Even in the midst of constant growth and activity, the Longmont team believes in taking the time to celebrate. The branch will host a party to express gratitude for everyone who has helped create the bank’s success – customers, community partners, the bank’s board of directors and shareholders, and the High Plains Bank staff and their families. 

High Plains Bank Longmont, like every branch location, looks forward to many more years of supporting the Longmont community to thrive. As the bank believes and practices – family first, then community, then the bank.