First Year Shows Promise for New Bank

Gateway Commercial Bank breaks ground on new headquarters

(MESA, Ariz.) – Amid the rescue of large financial institutions, one locally-owned Mesa bank is posting huge growth since it opened last December. Gateway Commercial Bank increased its assets by 106 percent this year and has broken ground on a new, permanent location, marking the bank’s first anniversary.

“Despite the credit crunch in the big banks this year, Gateway has seen tremendous growth,” said James Christensen, president of Gateway Commercial Bank. “Our community has embraced us, and we are happy to grow alongside our neighbors.”

Gateway Commercial Bank was chartered in Mesa by a group of community leaders with a goal of bringing back local decision making power to the growing East Valley business community. The groundbreaking ceremony on its new, permanent headquarters at 6860 E. Warner Road in Mesa was held today.  Remarks were made by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, the Mesa chamber president and shareholders of the bank.

Gateway will occupy 5,700-square-feet on the ground floor of the 8,500-square-foot building and plans to add four to five more jobs at the new headquarters. The bank hopes to move into the completed facility in August 2009.

“The permanent facility will offer much more visibility through drive in and walk in traffic,” said Christensen. “We will increase to meet the demand of added traffic and look forward to creating additional jobs in our sector.”

Christensen attributes the bank’s success to its model of creating strong relationships and investing Arizonans’ money back into Arizona.

“We make all of our lending decisions right here, and I work personally with our clients so they feel comfortable with their banking decisions,” said Christensen.

About Gateway Commercial Bank
Gateway Commercial Bank is a full service locally owned bank specializing in commercial and personal banking. With more than $23 million in assets, Gateway Commercial Bank has the power to make local banking decisions. Our goal is to provide local businesses unparalleled personal service, a friendly environment and great people.  For more information on Gateway Commercial Bank call 480-358-1000 or visit www.gcbaz.com http://www.gcbaz.com/.

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