High Country Bank's New CEO and President

September 12, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT High Country Bank CEO Niki Stotler Phone: 719-539-2516 Email: Niki.Stotler@highcountrybank.net

Salida, Colorado — High Country Bank and the Board of Directors are pleased to announce the promotion of Niki Stotler as Chief Executive Officer and President of High Country Bank. Stotler’s career with High Country Bank spans 21 years and during her tenure she has become an integral part of all aspects of bank operations as well as the community. In her new role as Chief Executive Officer, she brings a unique perspective that results from working in multiple capacities as a banker. This insight gives her the leadership ability to build a strong collaborative culture which positively impacts our customers. As Bank President, Stotler will sit on the Board of Directors for both High Country Bank and High Country Bancorp, Inc.

Ms. Stotler moved to Salida in 2001 and began working with the bank as a mortgage loan processor. Over her two decades with High Country Bank, she held numerous positions from underwriting, managing the mortgage department and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer. In addition to her hands-on experience, Stotler completed the three-year Graduate School of Banking program at the University of Colorado and has been accepted into the Executive Development Institute; a 19-month program beginning in October. High Country Bank is the lending leader in Chaffee County and Ms. Stotler is focused on continuing that success.

Regarding her approach to leadership, Stotler says that she will be focused on “building a culture of stability and opportunity for employees by encouraging collaboration and communication.” She is passionate about community banking and maintaining a culture of being responsive to customer and community needs. “High Country Bank began in 1886 as the first state chartered financial institution and since our beginning, we have been a community bank. Now we are entering a new age of moving forward and are open to new ideas and perspectives of how to make our communities better,” states Stotler.

While the core of customer-centric, community-focused banking will remain the same, High Country Bank is looking toward the future. “We want to continue to be the bank of choice and will always make decisions with our customers’ best interests at heart,” says Stotler. To continue to do this, High Country Bank is looking at providing improved online tools, creating additional banking services for customers, and connecting businesses and entrepreneurs. Under the new leadership, High Country Bank is committed to continuing to invest in the communities that High Country Bank serves.

Board Chairman Tim Glenn stated, “We are thrilled to have Niki (Stotler) as Chief Executive Officer and President. She brings a wealth of experience, a passion for service and positive energy to move High Country Bank into the future. As a natural leader Niki has the insight and skill to innovate and continue to provide responsive and customized financial services to all our branches.”

High Country Bank is Colorado’s original bank. We started in the high country of central Colorado in 1886 and have remained a customer-focused and community-minded bank since our beginning. We take the time to get to know every customer and find banking solutions tailored to each individual. We are committed to serving our customers with solution-based banking that keeps customer’s best interests at heart. We are also committed to be a positive force in our communities through volunteerism, donations, and sponsorships of events that benefit our entire community. High Country Bank is an Equal Housing Lender.  Member FDIC.