West Bank to expand into Minnesota

West Bank announced that it will open a loan production office in Rochester, Minn., its first banking operation outside Iowa.

The West Des Moines-based bank will initially offer loans to business clients from the new office in northwest Rochester, which it plans to open March 18. As its presence grows, it is anticipated that the loan production office will expand to provide residential mortgage services to area homeowners.

"It's a great win/win for all of us," said Chairman and CEO Dave Nelson, who prior to joining West Bank in 2010 worked in that city for 15 years, most recently as Rochester market president for Wells Fargo & Co. Leading West Bank's Rochester office will be Mike Zinser, most recently a regional business banking manager for Wells Fargo.

"Our experience in providing creative loan packages and financing structures for our customers is driving West Bank to expand outside of our existing markets with this new office," Nelson said in a press release. "We are fortunate to have attracted someone of Mike's caliber to head up this new venture, and we look forward to his unique talents as we serve Rochester's business community."

Nelson said he will appoint a West Bank Rochester board of directors made up of high-profile business leaders in Rochester to provide input and advice for that market.