First Western Trust is pleased to announce a new addition to its Fort Collins team. As Vice President and Relationship Manager, Clay Drake will help to facilitate and maintain client lending relationships as a part of their overall financial pictures.
Clay was previously president of Blue Water Resources. While there, he actively managed a $300 million portfolio of real estate assets. He also developed and managed a proactive public relations strategy and served as a community liaison between local, county, and state governments.
Before his experience at Blue Water Resources, Clay was vice president of Signature Bank in Windsor where he built a commercial loan portfolio of $30 million within 12 months. Clay received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Northern Colorado, and his Master of Business Administration, International Management from the University of Denver.
“First Western Trust takes pride in our ability to develop relationships with our clients to help them meet their complex financial picture,” said Kristi Benningsdorf, president of First Western Trust’s Northern Colorado office. “Clay’s addition to our team will expand our capabilities to foster these important relationships to help our clients achieve their lending goals in coordination with their full financial needs.”
About First Western Trust
First Western Trust is uniquely positioned as the best private bank for the Western wealth management client by providing tailored solutions in the areas of wealth planning, private banking, investment management, and trusts and estates to meet client’s complex financial needs. With further specialties in retirement services, insurance, philanthropic services, and business banking, First Western delivers direct access to subject matter experts and sophisticated services through local, team-based relationships. First Western’s services are integrated through ConnectView, a proprietary approach that considers a client’s entire financial picture in designing integrated solutions to reach short- and long-term goals. Built specifically for clients based in the West, the firm has offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Wyoming.