Eagle Bank welcomes new president, new vision
Berl Tiskus
Andrew West stands in front of Eagle Bank where he serves as president and CEO.
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POLSON — When Martin Olsson retired as president and chief executive officer of Eagle Bank, he passed the torch to Andrew West.
West is no stranger to the Mission Valley; he worked as the Valley Bank branch manager in Arlee for 10 and a half years and was vice president of commercial lending at Community Bank in Missoula.
“I wanted to be a community banker, not a big corporate banker,” he said. “There’s a lot of merit and worth in small community banks. They provide service big banks can’t.”
Bankers who stay in a community for a number of years get to know their customers well. West said those kinds lifetime relationships are important to him.
“More than anything, the message I want to convey is that I’m really dedicated to helping people,” West said. “My mantra is lifetime service, lifetime friendship. I want to build lifetime relationships with my customers. This is a business that requires trust.”
He said he thinks of himself as the least important person at the bank.
“Without my staff, I can’t do anything. I’m the coach — without the players you don’t have a team,” West said.
He also wants everyone to know Eagle Bank is a full-service, state chartered community bank and welcomes business from everyone.
On a personal note, West lives in Arlee, has five horses and enjoys living in the area. He drives through Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge each night where he stops to fish occasionally. And he loves his job.
“It’s my vision and my dream to be a bank president. I’m glad and excited to be here,” West said.
