What makes your bank unique? At FNBO, we pride ourselves on being a Great Big Small Bank. We have been in business for more than 165 years and are family-owned, so we understand the importance of knowing our communities well. This allows us to provide support and services that collectively strengthen the financial health of the businesses and individuals in the communities that surround us. What do you like to do to give back to the community? Personally, I absolutely love the fact that I get to be involved in all of our communities along the front range. Financial education, especially while partnering with local organizations, is one of my favorite ways to give back. Establishing solid fundamentals when it comes to personal finance is essential in building a strong future, and I find great value in any opportunity to play my part in helping others learn and grow. What is the most important thing you’ve learned from a career in banking? Every person we interact with day-to-day comes from a different background, has different life experiences and will ultimately be at a different point in their life or career when we meet them. Not only do we need to know and understand this, we need to be agile in our ability to walk in our customers’ shoes as we help them navigate their financial future. In my opinion, doing this well and being able to help someone along the path to success is one of the most gratifying things anyone can experience. What do you geek out about? Sports, but more specifically college athletics. Studentathletes are required to multi-task at a very high level, and it’s typically at an early life stage. I thoroughly enjoy watching the best coaches around the country shape and develop strong cultures that will have a lasting positive impact on the lives of the individuals they coach. What do you listen to on your morning commute? I think we can all agree that a good pump-up song will always get your day started right. However, most days, I like to listen to podcasts while commuting. I rotate between my favorite finance and sports podcasts depending on the time of year (and how well my favorite teams are doing, of course). Colby Cochran Director, Branch Banking First National Bank of Omaha CBA Centerpoint How did you get started in the banking industry? I started in the banking industry over 24 years ago, as a teller in Loveland, Colorado. I had planned to go to medical school but enjoyed my experience as a teller and decided to major in business, leaving the door open for multiple career paths. After college, I accepted a management trainee position at a community bank in Alaska. As a management trainee, I had the opportunity to work in all areas of the bank, learn from leaders within the organization, and travel throughout the state, which exposed me to lots of unique experiences, interesting loan requests and diverse economies. My grandfather was a banker in Shickley, Nebraska, so I suppose banking is in my blood. What makes your bank unique? The communities we serve have built and shaped our bank over the years. Each market operates with a sense of unique independence, allowing us to best support our customers and team. This community-centric approach makes Bank of Colorado truly special. What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? House Bill 24-1351. I’m well-versed on this topic after participating in the CBA Bank Advocacy Program and testifying on behalf of the banking industry against the provision within the Division of Banking Sunset Report, allowing a credit union to buy a bank. Unfortunately, you only get a few minutes to testify so I learned to talk fast and with intention. Alternatively, I could speak about edible and medicinal plants if you’re looking for a more universally entertaining topic! What do you listen to on your morning commute? I’m just the DJ. I have three delightful daughters who take charge of the music selection. Our playlist is usually a loud and lively mix including Disney’s Frozen, Imagine Dragons, Queen and Taylor Swift. Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to join an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) Boss Lift mission and traveled from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Hickam Air Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, with several community leaders. During the flight to Hickam, I helped refuel an in-flight fighter jet while operating the boom of a KC-135. This trip remains a highlight of my career! Christina Kraft Senior Vice President, Fort Lupton Bank of Colorado Colorado Banker 10
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