About Us

We are rural Colorado people with community at our core.

Serving the San Luis Valley and rural Colorado for more than 100 years, First Southwest Bank offers personal and business banking, agricultural, and business loans supporting rural people and communities.

Our Mission

To be an innovative, collaborative financial leader empowering the potential of diverse and underserved communities

Our Vision

Inclusive financial resources for all to thrive

Our Values

People First – We believe in the inherent potential of all people, fostering a culture of belonging for our team and customers. We enable community success and provide financial resources for all.

Lead Fresh Ideas – Leading new, creative and innovative ideas – in communities, in teams, as individuals - in a constantly evolving environment. Our team members at all levels are empowered to collaborate and take action.

Make a Difference – The way we act and the products and services we develop. We collaborate to create impact for our communities through our financial work, community volunteering, serving on boards and community sponsorship.

FSWB and our employees live in and actively give back to the communities we serve. In 2024, FSWB invested more than $190,000 to 90 local organizations working to improve the health and well-being of our Southern Colorado communities.

FSWB is a locally owned, independent community bank with six Southern Colorado branches in Alamosa, Center, Cortez, Durango, Pagosa Springs, and Saguache. We are proud to be one of two Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) (PDF 4.2MB) banks in Colorado, and the only CDFI bank serving the Four Corners states.

As a CDFI, FSWB is working to improve the social and economic landscape of rural Colorado. We do this, in part, by securing and deploying private and public resources unavailable to other banks. We provide equitable access to capital through low-cost, fixed rate loans for agricultural and small businesses, workforce housing, mortgage and rental assistance, energy efficiency and solar enhancements, educational and healthcare facilities, and other community needs.

In 2024, we were again named the U.S. Small Business Administration Colorado Rural Lender of the Year. Together with our nonprofit partner, First Southwest Community Fund, we ensure that our region’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations have access to the inclusive and equitable capital they need to grow and enrich our communities.

We are always listening to the needs of our communities. To share ideas, or for more information, please contact:

Kent Curtis  |  President & CEO
970-375-1100
kent.curtis@fswb.com

First Southwest Bank is a member of the Community Development Bankers Association; see their site for more information on Community Development Banks.