Fallon market now in sights of northern Nevada's banks

Fallon has that certain something these days, something that is attracting the attention of northern Nevada banks.Great Basin Bank of Nevada is nearing construction completion of a Fallon branch.And First Independent Bank of Nevada is scouting for a Fallon branch location.

It's the people, that's what, says Jim DeVolld, executive vice president and chief credit officer of First Independent.

People are at the center of both banks' recent decisions to open Fallon branches.

For Great Basin, it was the population base, says Blake Marchant, senior vice president and chief loan officer of the Elko-based bank.

It's a small town with its own separate commercial base.And that's what Great Basin likes; that's where it finds success.

Fallon also has a commuter community feeding into Carson City and Reno.

And, one more thing: it has an established banking community,with big banks such as Colonial Bank, Bank of America,Wells Fargo, and U.S.

Bank all providing a source of local talent and expertise for a new branch.

The idea of expanding to Fallon came completely out of the blue for First Independent, says DeVolld.Not the idea of expansion just the idea of Fallon.

First Independent is expanding.

It built a new Reno headquarters building in 2004, and opened its third branch in January.

It's seeking a location in Sparks as well.

"We picked up some terrific people in Fallon," says DeVolld."And when we are able to pick up people,we open a bank," he adds.

"That's our strategy.Getting people first." The bank looks for experienced bankers with a customer following."We do not start from ground zero," says DeVolld.

First Independent has already opened a loan production office in Fallon, and plans a May 2 opening for a temporary branch office at 2163 W.

Williams Avenue in the Raley's Shopping Center.

Robby Johnston,who has 27 years of banking and lending experience in Fallon, is First Independent's vice president and area manager for Fallon.He was previously with Wells Fargo, says DeVolld.

Great Basin tapped into the area's banks for its executive team, too, hiring Dick Rowe as senior vice president and western Nevada regional manager.

Rowe has 41 years of banking experience,much of it in Fallon, and most recently in Carson City,with the Bank of the West.

Great Basin's Fallon branch manager, Jody Brown, is a big bank find.

She was previously with Citibank.

Like First Independent,Great Basin is quickly expanding,with a new Elko branch under construction, as well as its Fallon location.