Greenwood Village, CO – As FirstBank undergoes a merger that will shift its operations and ownership structure, Colorado business owners are facing new uncertainty about the future of their banking relationships. In contrast, First American State Bank (FASB) remains proudly Colorado-owned, relationship-driven, and independent for more than 30 years.

A Personal, Relationship-Driven Approach
Many business owners have voiced frustration with large banks’ impersonal service models, frequent turnover of relationship managers, and reliance on call centers or 800 numbers. At FASB, clients work directly with dedicated bankers, including our President to Chief Lender Officer to wire specialists, ensuring stability, responsiveness, and clarity.

“We are rooted in Colorado,” said Michelle Gruber, Vice President at First American State Bank. “We know your name, not just your account number. For business owners, that means you always know who to call and you will always get a local decision maker who understands your needs.” Gruber added. “Our customers get consistent, trusted advisors who know their business, their goals, and their community.”

A Commitment to Colorado
As a community bank, FASB’s focus extends beyond banking. The bank invests in local causes, including Volunteers of America Colorado and The Village Toy Drive, keeping philanthropy dollars directly in Colorado. FASB’s giving strengthens the same communities it serves.

Built for Business Owners
With tailored solutions for commercial lending, treasury management, and personalized financial services, FASB provides flexibility and hands-on support that large, standardized institutions often can’t match. Business clients benefit from:

• Direct access to decision-makers.
• Custom lending solutions built around individual business needs.
• A concierge-style approach to account transitions.

About First American State Bank
Founded in 1995, First American State Bank is a privately owned, full-service community bank headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Serving business and personal clients alike, FASB is known for its personalized service, stability, and commitment to strengthening local communities.

For more information on switching your business banking to First American State Bank, visit www.fasbank.com

Media Contact:
Michelle Gruber
First American State Bank
Vice President
mgruber@fasbank.com
303-694-6464

Greenwood Village, CO – First American State Bank is proud to announce the addition of a new Senior Credit Analyst to our team, Miriam Romero. Miriam brings strong financial expertise and proven industry experience to support our continued growth and commitment to client success.

Miriam is a graduate of the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She began her career at FirstBank, serving as a Banking Officer before transferring internally as a Commercial Credit Analyst. In that role, she performed comprehensive underwriting analysis, supported commercial clients, and successfully completed FirstBank’s Management Training Program.

Michelle Gruber, Vice President of First American State Bank, shared: “We are excited to welcome such a talented professional to our team like Miriam. Her background in credit analysis and commercial lending will add tremendous value as we continue to strengthen our client relationships and serve the financial needs of our community.”

First American State Bank looks forward to the expertise and fresh perspective she will bring to our credit and lending team.

First American State Bank Celebrates Greenwood Village’s 75th Anniversary with a Legacy of Giving

As Greenwood Village marks 75 years of community, First American State Bank proudly celebrates alongside the city we’ve called home since our founding. For three decades, we’ve remained deeply committed to strengthening our local community, supporting causes that uplift families, empower students, and bring joy to Colorado children during the holidays. We take pride in being a true community bank, dedicated to improving the lives of our customers, employees, partners,
and neighbors. Through meaningful partnerships and long-standing initiatives, First American State Bank has made a lasting impact across the region.

A Legacy of Giving: First American State Bank Fitness Festival – Founder & Title Sponsor-2013)

In partnership with our devoted team and vendors, we raised over $1 million for the Cherry Creek School District Community Asset Project through the annual Fitness Festival. In 2014, we gifted the event to CCSD, continuing success in the hands of the community it serves.

The Village Toy Drive Founder & Presenting Sponsor (2014-present)

We’re honored to continue our leadership of The Village Toy Drive benefiting Volunteers of America Colorado. Each holiday season, VOA aims to collect
6,000 toys for children in need, and thanks to the support of our incredible community, we’ve proudly donated thousands of toys year after year. This year’s drive will kick off in October, and v.1e invite everyone to help make the season magical for Colorado kids.
A special congratulations to our own Michelle Gruber,recently named a Denver Everyday Hero for founding and leading The Village Toy Drive. Michelle’s unwavering commitment over the past 12 years has helped bring joy and hope to countless children and families.

Empower Your Mission Without Banking Fees

Introducing Our Completely Free Checking Account for Non-Profits

First American State Bank is proud to support the non-profits organizations making a difference in our communities. Designed specifically for non-profits — so you can focus on what matters most.

BENEFITS OF A FREE CHECKING ACCOUNT

• No Monthly Fees—Save money to further your mission
• No Minimum Balance Requirements—Enjoy flexibility to optimize your cash position
• No Transaction Limits—Accomplish more and have peace of mind

TREASURY MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDED
Gain access to a full suite of treasury tools — at no cost:

• ACH Debits & Credits — Simplify donations, payroll, and payments
• Wire Transfers — Domestic and International,* fast and secure
• Sweep Accounts — Automatically invest excess funds to support your financial goals
• Mobile Deposit and Remote Deposit Capture — Deposit checks from your office or on the go
• Check Positive Pay — Safeguard your organization from fraud
• Advanced Online Banking Tools & Reporting — Real-time control and visibility, integrates with most ERP systems
*International wires discounted to $25 per transfer

WHY CHOOSE FIRST AMERICAN STATE BANK?

As a local independent community bank, we understand the unique
challenges of running a non-profit — and we’re here to help you succeed.

• Community-Focused Service
• Dedicated Non-Profit Banking Specialists
• Customized Banking Solutions
• Local Support with Digital Convenience

Contact us to learn how we can support your organization.

First American State Bank
8390 East Crescent Parkway, Suite 100
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: (303) 694-6464
Website: www.fasbank.com
Email: wmartinez@fasbank.com

Integrating ICS and CDARS into Your Company’s Investment Policy: A Strategic Move for Safety and Yield

In today’s volatile economic climate, corporate treasurers and CFOs are under increased pressure to safeguard cash reserves while maximizing returns. For companies with significant cash balances, the challenge lies in achieving both security and liquidity without compromising yield. This is where two innovative tools—ICS (Insured Cash Sweep) and CDARS (Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service)—play a crucial role. Incorporating ICS and CDARS into your company’s investment policy isn’t just prudent; it’s a strategic decision that enhances capital protection, liquidity and operational efficiency.

Understanding ICS and CDARS

ICS and CDARS are deposit placement services offered by a network of FDIC-insured banks, allowing organizations to access multi-million-dollar FDIC insurance coverage on large deposits—far beyond the standard $250,000 insurance limit.

• ICS provides access to demand deposit accounts and money market deposit accounts (MMDAs), maintaining liquidity while protecting funds through FDIC insurance.
• CDARS places funds into Certificates of Deposit across multiple banks within the network, ensuring full FDIC insurance while offering a range of term options and competitive interest rates.

Both services are accessed through a single relationship with a participating bank, simplifying management and record-keeping.

Why Your Company’s Investment Policy Needs ICS and CDARS

1. Enhanced Security Through FDIC Insurance

One of the primary goals of a corporate investment policy is capital preservation. ICS and CDARS protect large cash balances by distributing them among multiple banks in a way that ensures each deposit remains within the FDIC insurance limit. This mitigates the risk of loss due to bank failure – an essential feature in uncertain financial times.

2. Maintaining Liquidity Without Sacrificing Yield

ICS enables access to liquid, FDIC-insured funds, making it ideal for operational cash or working capital. Meanwhile, CDARS can be used for funds that can be committed for a longer term, earning competitive interest without requiring complex arrangements or sacrificing the safety of the principal. This dual strategy allows treasury teams to segregate cash based on liquidity needs and invest accordingly.

3. Streamlined Administration and Transparency

Using ICS and CDARS simplifies what could otherwise be a complex portfolio of multiple bank relationships. Your company interacts with a single financial institution, receiving consolidated statements and year-end tax documents. This dramatically reduces administrative burden and enhances transparency—especially important for audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

4. Alignment with Corporate Governance Best Practices

Adopting ICS and CDARS demonstrates adherence to prudent investment practices and fiduciary responsibility. These tools align with guidelines often found in conservative investment policies, especially those applicable to public entities, nonprofits, and risk-averse corporations. Including ICS and CDARS in your policy sends a clear message to stakeholders: your company takes capital stewardship seriously.

Conclusion

Incorporating ICS and CDARS into your company’s investment policy is a forward-thinking approach that reinforces safety, boosts efficiency and supports strategic liquidity management. As financial risk management becomes more nuanced, leveraging these tools ensures your company’s cash is protected and working intelligently—all while maintaining the simplicity of dealing with a single trusted banking partner.

With the right framework in place, ICS and CDARS can become foundational components of a modern, resilient investment strategy. Is it time for you to consider an ICS and/or CDARS? First American State Bank can help. Talk to one of our banking professionals today.

First American State Bank

www.fasbank.com

303-694-6464

8390 E. Crescent Parkway, #100

Greenwood Village, Co 80111