August 7, 2025

Celero Commerce Contact: Jeff Mullen, jeffm@celerocommerce.comcelerocommerce.com Celero Commerce is a fintech company that partners with community banks to offer payment processing and business management tools for small to mid-sized businesses. We help empower financial institutions to strengthen their commercial relationships while providing businesses with the technology needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Convergint Contact: […]

Altabank Shea Bettencourt joined Altabank as a mortgage loan officer serving Cache Valley. He brings 14 years of experience in the Cache Valley region, including mortgage roles with Bank of Utah, Intercap Lending and People’s Mortgage Company. Altabank has hired Craig Peterson as a relationship manager, based in the Murray branch. He is a 25-year

Altabank Lindsay Berndt, vice president/retail branch manager at Altabank’s flagship American Fork Branch, has been named to Utah Valley BusinessQ Magazine’s 40 Under 40 for 2025, an honor recognizing individuals who demonstrate leadership and professional accomplishment. As the leader of Altabank’s largest branch, Lindsay manages a team of 12 front-line bankers who work with some

For small business owners looking to expand, purchase real estate or invest in heavy equipment, securing affordable financing can be a daunting challenge. Traditional bank loans often require high down payments and come with stringent requirements, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Enter the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program — a powerful yet underutilized financing tool designed to help small businesses thrive while fostering economic development in local communities.

No, I’m not referring to the bananas you’ll find in the grocery store, but the kind you’ll see on a baseball diamond!

In the evolving world of financial crime, few developments have emerged as swiftly and alarmingly as the risk of deepfakes. Deepfakes are pieces of synthetic media, generally in the form of video, audio or images, that are digitally created using AI to replicate a person’s appearance, voice or even supporting identification documentation. AI allows fraudsters to produce incredibly convincing impersonations for the purpose of identity fraud, social engineering and bypassing identity verification systems. AI-driven deepfakes have ushered in a new era of fraud, making it easier than ever for bad actors to impersonate individuals and manipulate financial systems. The implications of deepfakes pose a unique threat to identity verification and fraud detection, requiring banks to modernize their control environments to keep pace.

More than 150 banking professionals gathered in downtown Salt Lake City — with many more tuning in via Zoom — for the UBA’s 20th Annual Women in Banking Conference on April 16, 2025. Themed “Finding Your Own Path,” the event offered a powerful mix of leadership insight, personal storytelling and practical career development.

In April, a group of Utah bankers flew to Washington, D.C., to attend the ABA Washington Summit and to meet with the Utah Congressional Delegation to discuss key issues affecting our industry today.

George Daines, chairman of Cache Valley Bank, was recognized as the 2025 Distinguished Banker at the 117th Annual UBA Convention on June 24, 2025.

Chair Todd BorenCeltic BankPresident & COOSalt Lake City Vice Chair Shelly HoltFirst Community BankPresident & CEOLayton 2nd Vice Chair & Treasurer Paul BurdissZions BankPresident & CEOSalt Lake City Immediate Past Chair Mark PackardCentral BankPresident & CEOProvo President Howard HeadleeUtah Bankers AssociationPresident & CEOSalt Lake City Chair, Regional Bank Advisory Council Leo GutierrezJPMorgan ChaseMarket ExecutiveSalt Lake

We are more than halfway through 2025, and while there have been several significant developments — from the escalation of geopolitical tensions abroad to economic uncertainty at home — there’s a positive message I want to send to bankers: Our agenda is moving forward.  With the help of tireless advocates here in Washington and at