Our Press Releases
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2004
Mesa Bank Tops $100 Million in Total Assets
MESA - (Nov. 1, 2004) - The way things are going, 2004 is turning out to be the best year in Mesa Bank's young history.
On Oct. 7, the bank surpassed $100 million in total assets, up 43 percent from $70 million a year ago.
Mesa Bank President/CEO Neil Barna, who founded the bank on Oct. 20, 1998, says this year is the most impressive growth year in the bank's history.
As of Sept. 30, the bank's return on average equity for 2004 was slightly over 20 percent and the average return on average assets was 1.75 percent.
Mesa Bank's Falcon Field Office, which opened in September 2003, also surpassed $15 million in assets as of Sept. 30.
Barna credited his hard-working staff, active board of directors, and their commitment and focus on the bank's niche as a full-service commercial bank that specializes in providing products and services for small and medium sized businesses.
Involvement by the Mesa Bank Board of Directors has been strong. "We encourage referrals constantly," Barna pointed out. "We meet regularly with individual board members to discuss best practices - and to ask for more business. Our board members use the services we offer. It's a good relationship."
While Barna concedes that it has taken time to get the word out about Mesa Bank in a fast growing and expanding market, "I think our reputation is spreading and people are responding. Our commitment to service is what we emphasize and practice."
Clearly, Mesa Bank's growth has been in high gear for a few years now. The bank has essentially doubled its assets size since August 2002 when it had $50 million in total assets.
Barna says the bank's strategy for growth is internally driven. "We spend a great deal of time and effort on a variety of correspondence with clients and business contacts, encouraging the use of other products that we offer. All employees promote a relationship culture, not a sales culture. Sure, we ask for new business, but we target our audience."
In addition to accumulative efforts of employees and directors to promote the bank, Mesa Bank clients are also involved. The good service they receive from Mesa Bankers is passed along to family, friends and business associates by word of mouth. Unquestionable proof of this is displayed in Mesa Bank being voted the No. 1 community bank in Arizona with assets under $75 million in both 2003 and 2004 by Ranking Arizona, which each year conducts the largest business opinion poll in the state.
The bank employs 24 people. Included in this total are five employees at the Falcon Field Office and two in the bank's Mortgage Division.
Community commitment is important to Mesa Bankers. Barna and four other bank board members -- Chairman Stu Hogue, Chairman Emeritus Bob Evans, Phil Kellis and Wayne Pomeroy - are members of the Mesa HoHoKams, which runs operations at HoHoKam Park, the spring training home of the perennially popular Chicago Cubs. Barna is also active with the Mesa Family YMCA, East Valley Institute of Technology Foundation, East Valley Partnership, Dwight Patterson Sports Academy Board of Directors, and a life member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee. Mesa Bank officers and employees are also involved in two other area Rotary Clubs, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Mesa United Way Board of Directors, and Junior Achievement.
Mesa Bank, founded in 1998, is ranked as the No. 1 community bank in Arizona for the second consecutive year in the 2004 edition of Ranking Arizona, which each year conducts the largest business opinion poll in the state. Mesa Bank's Falcon Field Office opened in 2003 and is located at 1733 N. Greenfield Road.
