News and Press Releases
Jan 22, 2021
Four experienced banking experts advance at Alaska’s only Best Bank to Work For
First National Bank Alaska’s Board of Directors announced four local banking experts will fulfill new roles at Alaska’s largest locally owned community bank.
Senior Vice President Karl Heinz was promoted to Branch Administration Director. His experience meeting the financial needs of Alaskans has prepared him to supervise all phases of the lending and deposit process in branch communities outside Anchorage. “I look forward to an expanded role in continuing to grow our business,” Heinz said. “During my 17 years with the bank, I’ve always taken great pride in doing what’s right for our customers.”
Vice President Pam Wentz was promoted to Regional Branch Manager. In her new role, Wentz oversees the Johansen and Golden Valley branches in Fairbanks and the Healy Branch. “There’s nothing like working face-to-face with customers,” Wentz said. “I’m invested in building long-term relationships with Alaskans and helping them succeed, no matter the challenge.
Nili Sundown has called Bethel home for more than 23 years. As the Kuskokwim Branch’s new Branch Manager, Sundown assists bank customers with their loan portfolios, including consumer loans. “I want the villagers in Bethel to know that First National is here to meet all their financial needs,” Sundown said. “The bank is constantly creating new tools to help Alaskans respond to unique challenges whether in a large city or town or small rural community.” In her free time, Sundown serves on the Bethel School Advisory Board.
A lifelong Alaskan, Shannon Coleman joins First National as Mortgage Loan Officer. For the past 25 years, Coleman has helped families secure their dream homes. Her role includes matching customers with the best loan program for their needs and originating mortgage loans. “I love the idea of homeownership and the stability it brings to families and communities,” Shannon said. “I enjoy working with first-time home buyers, helping families save money with refinances, and helping them build their real estate investment portfolios.”
Alaskan-owned and -operated since 1922, First National proudly meets the financial needs of Alaskans with ATMs and branches in 18 communities throughout the state, and by providing banking services to meet their needs across the nation and around the world. In 2020, Alaska Business readers voted the bank the “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the fifth year in a row. In the same year, American Banker recognized First National as a “Best Bank to Work For” for the third year in a row, and Anchorage Daily News readers voted the bank one of the state’s top two financial institutions in the ADN “Best of Alaska” Awards. First National was also recognized as the most admired company in the state by MSN.com and received the Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year Award from the Alaska Chamber.
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