Encore hires Great Western banker to expand in Colo.

Encore Bank in Little Rock, Ark., has entered Boulder, Colo., after hiring a banker. 

The $1.8 billion-asset bank said in a press release that Gary Geis will serve as its market president. Geis previously served as Boulder market president for Great Western Bancorp, which was recently sold to First Interstate BancSystem. 

“Boulder is an attractive high-growth market with a diverse mix of leading industry clusters and a business climate known for entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Josh Peebles, Encore’s regional president for Colorado.

Encore also hired Kent Nuzum to serve Boulder commercial group president and Chris Melin as a commercial relationship manager. 

Encore entered Colorado in May with operations in Denver.