Mountain West expands into Washington

Mountain West Financial Center, a Coeur d’Alene-based community bank, opened in June at the corner of Mission Avenue and Pines Road, overlooking Interstate 90.

The two-story, 14,448-square-foot brick building built and leased by Baker Construction and Development cost between $4.5 million and $5 million, said Mountain West Bank CEO Jon Hippler.

It was designed, said Mike Patano, owner of Patano Architects, to incorporate elements found in nearby structures, like brick and stucco, so it fits the surroundings while also creating a presence that would be highly visible. “We were trying to create a presence on that site. … It commands a presence.”

The building is “traditional meets modern” said branch manager Ginnie Petersen, pointing out the design, like the bank’s services, is centered on customer convenience and comfort.

With a large screen TV, lounge chairs, coffee bar and internet cafe, the atmosphere is as much living room as bank lobby. Instead of standing in the traditional teller line, customers can sit in comfy office chairs while conducting transactions. And as business increases the bank will add customer service pods in the lobby said Petersen.

Compared to the bank’s first branch, which opened in a trailer house on Government Way in Coeur d’Alene 14 years ago, they’ve come a long way.

Starting “with basically no assets” said Hippler, Mountain West Bank now has $1.1 billion in assets and will open its 24th branch this month in Sandpoint. “We are the largest state chartered bank in Idaho. People have embraced the idea of a community bank that puts customer service and customers first.”

“Our vision was great customer service would always be the center and all things would flow from there. That is still the core value today,” said Hippler. “We drive it in with the newest employees. Delivering great customer service on a consistent basis is the number one thing you can do to make everything else good.”

“It is a fantastic thing that you can take care of people,” said Petersen. “You don’t say, ‘no,’ you say ‘What can I do for you?’ ”

In addition to standard banking and lending services, the Valley financial center has commercial lending and small business departments.

Compared to typical small business accounts, said Petersen, which usually offer about 200 free transactions per month, their small business accounts offer 2,500 free transactions per month and free courier service, setting them apart.

Mountain West Bank, a subsidiary of Glacier Bancorp Inc., will likely continue to expand to other locations in the Spokane area, with the Valley location the natural starting point, said Hippler.

“It seemed like a great opportunity and a time for us to make a relatively short move across the border,” said Hippler. “Strategically our sights are set at looking for one or two more locations in the Spokane area.”

The recent banking industry woes tied to subprime real estate lending have not significantly impacted Mountain West Bank, said Hippler.

“We don’t have any subprime loans or subprime securities. We have been real estate lenders so the real estate markets … are not as vibrant,” he said. “We feel that but not to the extent you read about in the papers.”

Following a philosophy that banking success includes investing in and promoting the welfare of the community, Hippler says they are already involved in Spokane Valley, with Valleyfest, the food bank and the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“If you are a community bank,” said Hippler, “you have to be involved in that community by volunteering and supporting it financially.”