Charter West Bank

CharterWest Announces Leadership Transition as Kevin Larson Retires and Jim Murphy Takes Over as President CharterWest Bank is marking a leadership transition as longtime President Kevin Larson retires after more than 20 years at the helm and nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the organization. Jim Murphy, currently the Omaha Metro Market President, becomes only the third president in CharterWest's nearly four-decade history, effective Tuesday, October 1. Although retiring as President, Kevin Larson will continue to serve as Executive Vice President into 2025 until he transitions into full-time retirement. Kevin Larson has been with CharterWest since its inception in 1985, when it operated as a small-town agricultural bank with just four employees. In 2008, Larson was named President, and during his tenure, CharterWest has grown into a financial institution with nearly half a billion dollars in assets, spanning 17 communities. Today, CharterWest boasts five full-service banks with another scheduled to open in early 2025, alongside 14 Mortgage Centers throughout Nebraska and western Iowa. Steve Paus, Chairman of the Board at CharterWest, reflected on Kevin Larson's contributions: "From CharterWest's first day to his retirement, Kevin has always been the right man for the job. Under his leadership, CharterWest has evolved from a small country bank to a diversified organization with banks and mortgage centers that span the state of Nebraska. As we move forward, I'm confident that Jim's deep understanding of both metro and rural communities, and his connection to Northeast Nebraska, makes him the ideal person to lead CharterWest into its next chapter." As Kevin Larson transitions into retirement, CharterWest is pleased to welcome Jim Murphy as the next President. Jim brings nearly 30 years of banking experience, including his most recent 18 months at CharterWest as the Omaha Metro Market President. Originally from Wayne, Nebraska, Jim is a graduate of Wayne State College, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Finance. He also holds a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and is a distinguished graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Washington. In addition to the leadership transition, Brian Reimers continues to serve as the Rural Market President in West Point. With over 35 years at CharterWest, Brian started as an intern during his college years and has since become a vital leader in the organization, primarily serving as an agricultural lender. His deep connection to CharterWest's rural communities ensures continued strong support for its agricultural clients. As CharterWest moves forward with this new leadership, the bank remains committed to its founding values while continuing to expand its services across Nebraska and beyond. CharterWest Bank, established in 1985 in West Point, Nebraska, is a state-chartered community bank with deep roots in serving both rural and metropolitan communities. While maintaining its headquarters in West Point, CharterWest has expanded its presence across the region, operating full-service banks in Pender, Walthill, Elkhorn, and Papillion. A new full-service bank will open in South Omaha in 2025. In addition to its full-service branches, CharterWest provides commercial and consumer lending services in South Omaha and Gretna. The bank also operates residential mortgage offices in Elkhorn, LaVista, Lincoln, Norfolk, Papillion, Council Bluffs, Columbus, Grand Island, Gretna, Kearney, Hastings, McCook, Sioux City, and South Omaha.