The lobby of 1STBank of Boulder in Gunbarrel looks like a community gathering space most Saturday mornings, with neighbors chatting over coffee and donuts. That scene suits President Tim Pinnick just fine.

"We pride ourselves on being a community-oriented bank," the Niwot resident says. He adds, "Our employees own 70 percent of our stock, which we believe makes a real difference in their motivational level and in how they treat our customers." He also points out that 1STBank makes substantial donations to local charities and emphasizes the importance of their employees donating time and money as well.

Pinnick states, "We believe we can service the full range of our customer's needs." But besides those regular services there is a pleasant children's reading area, a Halloween pumpkin-carving contests, and other seasonal activities and treats. Tellers also pass out dog biscuits to canine occupants of cars using its drive-up window. Asked what prompted this extra service, Pinnick says simply, "We have a bunch of animal lovers working for us!"

Parent Company and Branches

Despite the recent trend for banks to merge and change ownership frequently, 1STBank of Boulder has been part of the 1STBank Holding Company of Colorado, a privately-owned company headquartered in Lakewood, since 1963. Many 1STBank branches have remained remarkably stable. The Gunbarrel branch will celebrate its 25th anniversary next June, and Pinnick will celebrate 12 years at the helm next April. "Because we are privately and locally owned, this allows us to be responsive to our customer's needs and to provide consistent service over these many years," he stated.

Besides the Gunbarrel site at 6500 Lookout Road, 1STBank of Boulder has five other branches in Boulder and Louisville. They also have branches in over 85 locations in Colorado, from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs, plus in several mountain resort towns. Next year, the number of sites should exceed 90.

Checking Accounts

1STBank offers several types of checking accounts. The non-interest paying accounts include:

• Check-Us-Out
• Annual Fee Checking
• $200 Minimum Balance Regular Checking
• Economy Checking
• First Account
• 60-Plus Checking

1STBank also offers checking accounts that pay varying interest rates. All checking accounts feature "check safekeeping," which means the bank keeps microfilm copies of checks. On most accounts, checks can be returned with statements for a fee of $2 per month. A copy of two checks per statement cycle needed for proof of payment can be obtained free of charge.

While Pinnick said the bank is not considering eliminating paper statements in the near future, it is considering making electronic statements, in addition to paper statements, as an optional service,

Savings Accounts

In addition to the combination savings-checking accounts listed above, 1STBank offers these other types of savings accounts:

• Regular Savings
• Time Savings Accounts
• Time Deposit Accounts
• Premier Time Accounts

ATM and FirstTeller Visa Debit Fees

ATM and FirstTeller Visa Debit cards are available to customers for $7.50 per year each. Other charges are as follows:

• ATM mini-statements: $.50
• Cash withdrawals at non-FirstTeller ATMs: $1
• Cash back/withdrawals at Interlink locations: $.50
• FirstTeller Visa banking card cash advance transactions: $1

• Merchandise-only transactions at Visa/Interlink locations
• Transactions made at FirstTeller ATMs
• Transfers and balance inquiries made at any ATM

1STBank's written policy is "to make funds from deposits available on the first business day after the day it receives the deposit." If the deposit is not received before 3:30 p.m., it is counted as being received the following day.

For certain types of deposits, though, 1STBank's policy statement does note that "the delay may be as long as the fifth business day after the day of your deposit." This policy further states that if funds are not available on the first business day after the day of the deposit, you will be notified at the time of deposit and told when the funds will be available.

Other Services

Free services include drive-up windows, full-service banking on Saturdays and in their King Sooper locations, 24-hour telephone banking, notary public services and direct deposit of checks.

Fee-based services include a variety of business accounts and services, Internet banking, safety deposit boxes, overdraft protection/line of credit, U.S. savings bonds and Treasury Bill purchases and checkbook balancing.

1STBank has special 1STCard banking packages available. It also reserves the right "to determine on a customer-by-customer basis the cost of any services…." Therefore, if you are a "good customer," you might want to ask whether any fees are negotiable.

Loans

1STBank offers several types of mortgage loans and a full range of other loans, including business, home equity, home improvement, development, and commercial building. The legal limit on the amount of any one loan is $1.8 million, but since there are several banks within 1STBank Holding Company, the practical limit before they need to go to an "outside" bank is $35 million.

Bank officers at each branch have the lending authority to approve any loan up to $500,000 without consulting with the parent company. Beyond the legal grace period on overdue loans, 1STBank will "try to work something out with customers on an individual basis" if they encounter problems paying on time, according to Pinnick.

1STBank is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It has extended hours in the two King Soopers' locations, which are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.