• Home
|
• Contact Us

News & Releases

MARTINEZ JOINS FIRST STATE BANK TEAM

Ted Bentley, President and CEO of First State Bank, announced that Georgann Martinez has joined First State Bank’s officer staff.  Ms. Martinez started her duties as Assistant Vice President/Mortgage Lender on April 28th.

In 1976, when the power plant was being built, Georgann and her parents moved from Denver to Wheatland.  Georgann attended Western Nebraska Community College and received an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration.  She began her banking career in 1999, working as a part-time teller for Wells Fargo.  She spent the last two years as Store Manager for Wells Fargo.  Georgann is the Treasurer for the Y-O Ranch Improvement District, the former Secretary of WADCO, and the former Treasurer for the Sunset Bowling League.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing softball, and bowling.   

Georgann looks forward to forging new business relationships, while maintaining her relationship with all of her former customers. 

MIKE DALY RECEIVES ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

February 26, 2008:  The Wyoming Business Report and the BRAVO! Entrepreneurship Awards recently awarded Mike Daly (left) as the East-Central Region Entrepreneur Award for 2008.  Winners of the six regional Awards demonstrate the best traits of entrepreneurship, including vision, drive, perseverance and willingness to take risks.  Six winners statewide were named from each of the Wyoming Business Council's six regions of the state.  

FIRST STATE BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTION

January 7, 2008:  The Board of Directors of First State Bank has announced that Derrick Sisson has been promoted to President of First State Bank—Guernsey.  Mr. Sisson has been with the bank since July, 2006.  He is a 1989 graduate of Guernsey-Sunrise High School.  Derrick and his wife, Courtney, and their children, Brandon and Hunter, reside in Hartville. 

First State Bank opened the Guernsey bank in July, 2006.  The bank currently has $10,500,000 in total deposits, and $7,500,000 in loans.  The growth of the Guernsey bank is directly related to the hard work and dedication of Derrick and his staff.  Derrick’s involvement and commitment to the community has been instrumental to the immediate success of the bank.

In July, 2007, the bank moved into its’ new building.  This modern banking facility includes a drive-up ATM, along with a community meeting room.  The art work of the bank includes many historic photos of the Guernsey, Hartville, and Sunrise areas.

First State Bank also has banks located in Wheatland and Torrington.  As of December 31, 2007, Total Assets of First State Bank exceeded $218 million.

FIRST STATE BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTION

October 1, 2007:  First State Bank Chairman of the Board, Mike C. Daly, announced that Bruce A. Hellbaum has been promoted as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Counsel.    Mr. Hellbaum will also represent the bank’s holding company, Wheatland Bankshares, Inc.  Mr. Daly stated, “First State Bank continues to grow at a rapid pace, with total assets of $220,000,000.  Bruce will be responsible for the financial and regulatory management of the organization, along with the bank’s investment portfolio, which currently totals $37,000,000.  His banking experience and legal background provide great benefits to First State Bank and Wheatland Bankshares, Inc.”  Vice Chairman, President and CEO, Ted L. Bentley will assume the day-to-day management activities at the Wheatland bank.

Jeff Brown will continue his duties as the Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer of First State Bank.  Mr. Brown is responsible for the bank’s entire loan portfolio in three locations, totaling $155,000,000.

First State Bank, chartered in 1981, is your locally owned and locally committed community bank, with locations in Wheatland, Torrington, and Guernsey.

WYOMING BANKERS’ ASSOCIATION HONORS BARBARA JONES

September 7, 2007:  Barbara Jones was recently honored by the Wyoming Bankers’ Association for 25 years of service to the Wyoming banking industry.  Mr. Dave Johnson, the Executive Director of the Association, presented a plaque commemorating the achievement. The entire 25 years of service have been at First State Bank in Wheatland.  Barbara started at First State Bank in 1982 as a bookkeeper.  Through her exemplary customer service and attention to detail, she became the Senior Vice President and Cashier in 1990, the position she currently holds.

During her tenure at First State Bank, Barbara has seen the institution grow from a start-up bank, to three locations and $215,000,000 in total assets.  The bank now has locations in Torrington and Guernsey, in addition to Wheatland.  During her banking career, Barbara has become a friend and trusted advisor to countless customers, and has trained and developed numerous bank employees and current Officers.  Mike Daly, Chairman of the Board, was the President when Barbara joined First State Bank.  Mr. Daly stated, “Barb has been a tremendous asset to this organization over the past 25 years. She has always been willing to take on any task and has spent countless evening and weekend hours making sure that things are done right.  She has been instrumental to the success of First State Bank.”

Barbara and her husband, Randall, have lived in Wheatland since 1979.  Their daughters, Kim and Amy, graduated from Wheatland High School.

The Board and staff of First State Bank ask everyone to join them in congratulating Barbara for her many years of service and dedication.

FIRST STATE BANK DONATES TO UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

September 1, 2007:  First State Bank donated $25,000 to the University Athletic Facilities Campaign.  Pictured left to right:  Kelly Sittner, President of First State Bank-Torrington; Thomas Burman, Athletics Director of the University of Wyoming; Ted Bentley, CEO of First State Bank; Jerry Gebhart, Director of First State Bank.

FIRST STATE BANK HIRES NEW CONTROLLER

February 20, 2007:  The Board of Directors of First State Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Jespersen as the bank’s new Controller and Chief Information Officer.  Mark will primarily be in charge of overseeing internal operations including information technology related functions, compliance, regulatory reporting, as well as internal auditing and accounting functions.

Mark attended the University of Wyoming where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 2000 and his Master’s degree in 2001.  He has previously worked in public accounting and a privately owned company.

Mark and his wife, Erin, have lived in Torrington for 6 years.  Erin is the music director at Lingle-Ft. Laramie.  They have a daughter, Avey, who is two years old.  He enjoys sports, especially golf, and spending time with his family.