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Excited To Help People

Independent Banker

Jim Gowen, Merchants & Planters Bank. Central Region Award Recipient. Merchants & Planters Bank. Bank assets: $250 million. When Gowen first arrived at Merchants & Planters in 1983 to serve as its president and senior lending officer, the bank had two branches and $47 million in assets. Jim Gowen Sr.

St. Louis 105
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Building from Scratch

Independent Banker

“I love being around people, and people are what community banking is all about.” Shirley Nelson, Summit Bank. Overcoming various long odds over the years, Shirley Nelson launched and then grew a thriving California community bank. Shirley Nelson , Summit Bank. Bank Headquarters: Oakland, Calif.

Oakland 98