Don’t underestimate the value of a hometown bank
The July 16 Villager’s Barbwire Bob column praised Jay Davidson and independently owned community banks.
Bob Sweeney ·
Don’t underestimate the value of a hometown bank. Across America, hometown community banks have long been among the strongest pillars supporting our free enterprise system. While they may not have the size or national recognition of giant financial institutions, they have something many larger organizations cannot match.
Sweeney wrote that he was reminded of that last Friday while attending the 31st anniversary celebration of First American State Bank in Greenwood Village. President and CEO Jay Davidson welcomed customers personally, just as he has done for more than three decades. Alongside him were his wife. The bank has invested not only in businesses but also in the quality of life throughout the community, including America and the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation.
“As I looked around the room Friday, I couldn’t help but think that community banks like this are becoming increasingly rare. My hope is that independently owned banks will continue.”
Print source: The Villager, Vol. 44 No. 34, July 16, 2026, page 4. Issuu edition. Readable Barbwire Bob sentences from the Issuu page image. Cut-off clauses in the masthead gutter are omitted.