Best of Colorado 2017 – Finance
Making, growing and protecting your money, these Colorado firms are all about bottom-lines and numbers strategies
What does it take to be voted the best financial firm? Trust; transparency; empathy. This list of financial companies of all sizes and industries serving the Colorado market, includes banks, insurance companies and more.
BEST CREDIT UNION
With more than 293,000 members and $3.7 billion in assets, Bellco is one of the biggest credit unions in Colorado. Unlike traditional banks that focus on their shareholders, Bellco exists to serve its customers, which means it charges less and gives more by returning its "profits" to the customers it serves. It offers complete financial services, from credit cards and mortgages to auto loans and family trusts at its 23 branch locations. Customers also enjoy access to no-fee ATMs anywhere in the country.
BEST INSURANCE BROKERAGE FIRM
For nearly a century, the mission for the State Farm Insurance has been to operate fairly and do the right thing for its customers. It's a principle that has paid off for the company, which today insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the United States. Founded in 1922 as a single-line auto insurance company, State Farm now offers nearly 100 products and services in five different lines of business and handles nearly 35,000 claims a day. State Farm also is heavily involved in the communities it serves through sponsorships, safety programs education leadership and service learning.
BEST BANK
FIRSTBANK OF COLORADO (1STBANK)
It may be one of the largest privately held banks in the nation, but FirstBank of Colorado (1STBANK) steadfastly supports the small businesses that play a key role in job creation and economic development. Throughout its more than 50 years in business, the bank has maintained a strong commitment to convenience, friendly and intelligent customer service and loyalty to its customers. The bank now has more than $17 billion in assets and 120 locations in Colorado, Arizona and California.
"FirstBank invests heavily at the local level because we recognize that nonprofit organizations are integral to the social fabric of Colorado," former CEO John Ikard wrote for the bank's website. "When you consider the dynamics, investing in the community is not only the right thing to do, it's also good business."
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER
Glenwood Springs-based Alpine Bank is employee-owned and locally operated and has 38 locations. The bank says it seeks to provide competitively priced mortgage loan options that meet the needs of its customers. Alpine Bank uses its relationships with trusted secondary market investors, which provide access to long-term fixed-rate mortgages. Meanwhile, portfolio products offer solutions to unique situations that other lenders may not be able to accommodate.
BEST SBA LENDER
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been around since 1953, and Alpine Bank has worked with the SBA for more than 30 years. The Glenwood Springs-based bank says the SBA has provided the tools to reinforce its commitment to making the communities it operates in a better place to live and work. The loan program has allowed Alpine Bank to finance many projects over the years.
BEST TITLE COMPANY
Land Title Guarantee Co. was founded in Denver in 1967 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. With more than 50 convenient office locations statewide, Land Title has closed some of the largest transactions in Colorado, including Denver International Airport and the Broncos' stadium. All the work is done locally, so staffers respond more quickly. Land Title is the largest locally owned title agency in Colorado with 50,000 successful closings each year.
BEST WEALTH MANAGEMENT/FINANCIAL PLANNER
Alpine Bank Wealth Management clients appreciate the holistic approach to investing encompassing all stages of their lives: when they are growing their wealth, and when they are protecting and preserving wealth. Alpine Bank also helps to distribute their wealth in a tax-efficient manner, during their lifetimes and after they are gone.
