Top Company 2022: Financial Services

The outpouring of applications for this year’s Top Company awards is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of enterprises that do business in the state. Applications for the 35th annual awards numbered in the hundreds, and it was particularly encouraging to see so many companies rebounding from two years of COVID restrictions, with most posting revenue and employee gains approaching—and in some cases, exceeding—pre-pandemic numbers.

This year’s Top Company winners and finalists represent 13 industry categories, plus a startup category for companies in business less than four years. Entrants were judged on three criteria: outstanding achievement, financial performance and community involvement. The judging panel was made up of ColoradoBiz magazine’s editorial board and two representatives from the business community.

Winner — Canvas Credit Union

Lone Tree

Canvas Credit Union has served Colorado communities for more than 84 years. Its 33 branches provide a full array of financial products and services, including savings, checking, loans, mortgages and online and mobile options. 

The company established the Canvas Foundation in 2016 to provide greater focus and giving to its community efforts. The foundation’s unpaid board is made up of Canvas employees and volunteers who are committed to the mission of the foundation, which has supported 54 organizations, volunteered more than 3,000 hours and invested more than $185,00 in the community. 

“Community is core to who we are at Canvas and an element of our work we care deeply about as part of our cooperative finance model,” said Trey Marksberry, Canvas’s director of immersive experiences. “We focus on critical  causes surrounding schools, families, military and first responders.” 

Much of its community support includes the credit union’s multiple Canvas Scholarships programs, which resulted in $47,000 in scholarships last year to Colorado State University students and high school students throughout the Front Range. Through a new partnership with CSU Pueblo, it will grant $500,000 in scholarships over the next five years to students in Southern Colorado.  

“Guided by our passion for fostering financial success at the outset of a student’s journey, we also focus heavily on providing financial education options in schools and communities,” Marksberry said. “Canvas’ financial scholars program provides free financial literacy seminars in Colorado public and charter high schools.”

Finalist — CBIZ

Independence, Ohio

CBIZ is a $1.1 billion publicly traded company with 125 offices and nearly 6,000 employees in major metropolitan cities and suburban areas throughout the United States. The company’s Denver office is comprised of several business entities that provide employee benefits, payroll, accounting and executive recruiting services.  

The company’s mission, vision and values reflect two basic principles: treat employees right and treat clients right.  

“We know that if we treat our people right, that spirit will translate into them providing best-in-class service to our clients,” said Laura Osvald, the company’s senior marketing manager. “And by treating our clients to this type of service, our people will be engaged and inspired and grow both personally and professionally.” 

CBIZ is committed to organizing volunteer events and activities for the office, and its employees are given five hours of paid time off to volunteer with co-workers in their local communities.  

Activities from the past year include a national annual food drive with inter-office competitions; volunteering at Denver Dumb Friends League at the Furry Scurry walk/run to raise funds for the animal shelter; helping with setup for the Denver Pride Festival; and sponsoring the annual campaign to benefit Dress for Success.  

Finalist — Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado

Greenwood Village

Team Photo
Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado team photo

Transworld Business Advisors CEO Jessica Fialkovich started the company after selling her own business and thinking the process could be improved.  

Transworld provides customers with easy ways to view businesses, sign contracts and work collaboratively with brokers on buying, selling and growing their small businesses. It serves business owners in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Texas.  

The company focuses on three core concepts: business brokerage, franchise consulting and franchise development. Its services include business consulting, analysis and pricing, development of custom marketing strategies, buyer search and qualification, deal structuring and negotiations, help with pre-closing items, due diligence management and closing and transaction activities.  

Transworld’s brokers are trained to ensure entrepreneurs receive the most timely and pertinent advice to make informed decisions about their business and strategic goals. Its current focus is addressing client needs resulting from the baby boomer seller tsunami that’s occuring as that generation of business owners is exiting the workforce. 

“Beyond the transaction, we offer extensive education and resources to help business owners develop and execute strategic plans for the future of their company, including a preparation to sell program,” said Matthew Stengel, Transworld’s marketing manager. “This program aids owners in identifying areas to add value to their business and guides them through the process so they can attain the maximum return on their investment.” 

Two Colorado credit unions announce partnership

Canvas Credit Union, one of Colorado’s leading credit unions serving communities across the Front Range for more than 82 years, and Grand Junction-based Western Rockies Federal Credit Union (Western Rockies FCU) announce a collaboration and planned merger.

With the partnership the credit unions celebrate the opportunity to broaden the Western Slope’s access to leading financial services, enhance community involvement in the area, and expand the Canvas family.

With 30 branches throughout metro Denver and northern Colorado, Canvas will join forces with Western Rockies FCU to bolster their collective impact with Western Slope communities.

Western Rockies FCU’s three branches in Grand Junction, Rifle and Fruita will remain open to serve members and the credit union’s more than 40 team members will be welcomed as part of the Canvas family.

The merger has been approved by the credit unions’ boards, which are both in unanimous support of the combination. The process has moved from application review with the state of Colorado and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to the Western Rockies Federal Credit Union member vote on Dec. 30.

“Since moving to Colorado more than six years ago, I fell in love with our great state and the incredible people who make it even more vibrant. With that deep love for Coloradans driving us, our team has been dreaming about how we can expand our impact well beyond the Front Range. The opportunity to welcome the Western Rockies Federal Credit Union members and team to our Canvas family opens the door to manifest even more positive change for people across Colorado. One of Canvas’ vision pillars is to be a leader in the communities we serve, which nurtures collaboration among our fellow credit unions and has led to this opportunity to heighten our collective impact,” said Todd Marksberry, CEO & president at Canvas Credit Union. “We are eager to work in partnership with Western Rockies FCU to continue growing the 85-year legacy they have built. As CEO and president, Kristi Porter has been the backbone for Western Rockies FCU and its members for more than 40 years, and she will play a crucial role to Canvas’ collaboration with the Western Slope community.”

A primary driver behind the strategic relationship includes the opportunity to expand access to leading financial services in the Western Slope.

High overhead expenses – from technology, compliance needs and innovation efforts in order to meet consumer expectations – are a costly reality of today’s credit union landscape.

By uniting with one of Colorado’s leading credit unions, the Western Slope community will gain access to the latest financial products and services. Canvas also plans to explore opportunities to open more branches along the Western Slope, in its efforts to continually evaluate and enhance the member experience.

Another motivator for the combination is community involvement, and the desire to bring more support, value and community investment to Western Slope communities.

Since the Great Recession, Western Rockies FCU has not had the opportunity to invest in its communities as deeply as it would like due to budget challenges. Canvas’ four pillars of community giving – schools, families, veterans, first responders – will be launched directly within the Western Slope to support the region’s greatest needs.

“Today marks a huge milestone for Western Rockies FCU. Todd is a long-time friend and collaborator. We’ve been dreaming together for some time about how our two organizations could come together and better serve the Western Slope,” said Kristi Porter, CEO and president of Western Rockies Federal Credit Union. “It is very exciting to see what was once an idea become a reality. This means so much to me because I know with Canvas we can provide even more value to our team, our members and our entire community.”

As it enters the Western Slope, Canvas’ immediate plans include gathering input from community members. Canvas seeks to integrate the feedback with its industry-leading model, ultimately delivering an enhanced and tailored experience to best fit the community’s needs.

“Canvas’ model begins with listening first. We want to hear from Western Slope members and residents about what they seek from their financial services and community leaders, and apply this to what we believe we do really well,” said Tansley Stearns, Canvas’ chief people and strategy officer. “Canvas is committed to all Coloradans. We’re eager for the opportunity to serve the Western Slope and help elevate the financial situation of all Coloradans.”