JACKSON, Wyo.—Established in 1982 by three locally focused and creative members of the community, Bank of Jackson Hole has had the interest of our town at the forefront of their business model since the beginning. Their dedication to and appreciation for the unique characteristics of this small mountain town are what earn them Gold for Best Bank in the Best of Jackson Hole year after year.
Born and raised in Jackson Hole, CEO and Chairman of the Board Peter Lawton has worked in our town’s banking community since 1990. After working for larger bank chains, Lawton moved to the Bank of Jackson Hole in 2011. “I wanted to go back to a smaller bank model for the independence and community focus that lends us flexibility and the ability to make quick, locally-focused decisions,” said Lawton in an interview with Buckrail.
With the continued support from the founding Biolchini family, the desire for continued, successful growth of the community drives their ever-growing operation. This can be seen in the bank’s proactive and dedicated response to our current Covid-19 crisis. “We now have more than 700 loans funded or in progress, with an average loan amount of $165,000,” said Lawton. “So long as the client can verify the use of seventy-five percent of their loan amount on employee expenses through the next two months, one hundred percent of their loan will be forgiven. Our team is working seven days a week for the community.”
“Not all financial institutions are participating as SBA lenders,” said Fran Biolchini Fleming, Senior Marketing Director of the Bank of Jackson Hole. “Bank of Jackson Hole is honored to be a resource that our customers and community can turn to in difficult times.”
When it comes to their continued spot at the top in the Best of Jackson Hole, Lawton is greatly appreciative. “The community has been my whole life, and I’ve benefitted tremendously from it.”
Like any well-oiled machine, the integrity and strength of the employee base is the key to their continued success. Lawton explained the importance of their diverse employee base and how grounding it is to have employees who have been a part of the community for over twenty years. With roughly fifty percent of their employees living in Jackson and the other fifty spread between Star Valley, Afton, Victor, and Driggs, the bank is well set up to service the greater Teton County region and workforce.
The bank’s engagement in the community goes far beyond providing employment and financial services. The 38-year-old institution is noted for its active support of local charities, with many bank staff engaged in board positions, volunteer activities, and guiding the bank’s significant financial commitment to philanthropic causes. Lawton says, “we’re privileged to be part of a great team in support of our caring community.”