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An ad looking for a management trainee launched Max Bryant's career in the banking industry. After eight years of U.S. Army life, he and his wife decided to move back to Denver for his second career. Bryant had always been interested in finance, so the FirstBank ad got his attention. Now, 16 years later, he is an executive vice president and branch manager of FirstBank's location at Kipling and Belleview.
"FirstBank officers are generalists," Bryant says. As an officer, he works at several levels and is involved in operations, as well as consumer and commercial lending. FirstBank, which was founded in Lakewood in 1963, is employee-owned and has 20 locations in Jefferson County.
Bryant takes pride in being part of this stable, well-organized financial entity. Well capitalized, FirstBank continues to experience solid growth in both assets and deposits. Its net income through the third quarter of 2008 was up 29 percent from the previous year. And it has no involvement in subprime loans or securities. Its continued focus on credit quality has enabled the bank to succeed in all economic cycles.
Bryant especially enjoys establishing relationships with his customers. "The fun part of the job," he says, "is interacting with customers and helping them with their financial needs, such as buying a building."
Among his personal interests is travel — he loves to explore different countries with his wife. They especially enjoy Italy and Great Britain. At home, he enjoys golfing, hiking and skiing.
Bryant is also active in the community. He serves on the board of Denver Street School, a faith-based school that works with at-risk youth and mentors them to graduation. "It's their last shot before dropping out of school and society," Bryant says. Instruction is provided with a maximum ratio of 10 students per teacher. "The teachers pour their lives into these kids," he adds. "The program is really making a difference."
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Local Vacation — Hiking with his wife in Jeffco Open Space.
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Published in the West Chamber Resource Guide 2009 Best of Business Directory & Magazine, an annual publication of The West Chamber Serving Jefferson County.
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