By Breven Honda

The month of April is a time to fully immerse with spring as the calendar turns from winter with anticipation.

Trees have the opportunity to grow by branching out and so do banks as the Nevada Bank & Trust is set open its new branch in Mesquite this month.

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“It’s excitement,” said Spencer Hafen, Nevada Bank & Trust CEO. “People are excited for the new building. They are excited for the location. For many years, my little bank went unnoticed in town.

“So, this is bringing us to the forefront and people see us. They are just excited to come in and work with us. It’s brought a new buzz to the town and that we are being recognized and noticed as a viable bank, a strong bank and ready to further our investments in the city.”

The branch is set to open on April 17 with a grand opening ceremony on April 21 in front its new location at 191 W. Mesquite Blvd.

Spencer Hafen

Not only is this a special time for the bank, but also for Hafen, who grew up in Mesquite.

Hafen, who turns 51 this month, said having his bank standalone as the only small community bank in town is vital to the success of Nevada Bank & Trust and Mesquite.

“For the city of Mesquite, it’s a great opportunity for the people here but also in partnership with the city,” Hafen said. “I believe that by building where we are at, it will help spur additional development in the redevelopment district in the city.”

This process has come with months of planning and patience as Nevada Bank & Trust has been in Mesquite for about 15 years.

Including Mesquite, Nevada Bank & Trust has four branch locations, along with Ely, Elko and Caliente.

Location was a prime factor in the decision both from a town standpoint and a state aspect.

Hafen, who has been the CEO for eight years, said being able to reside on the town’s main road has potential benefits in the future.

“It will help the city grow on the boulevard, which for many years has been an area that has almost been forgotten in the city, where a lot of the development has gone north of the interstate and other parts of the town,” Hafen said. “We looked at areas in those higher growth areas to build a new branch, but we settled in this downtown area because we think it’s good for the city. It’ll be a good partnership.”

With the Elko branch along I-80, this new Mesquite branch comes along I-15, the other major interstate in Nevada and on the edge of neighboring states, Utah and Arizona.

“Along I-15, it’s a growth area, it’s a retirement area,” Hafen said. “The city of Mesquite has great potential and always has for future growth. And it does contribute being here to having a branch here.”

Nothing was perfect during the development process for the new branch.

Hafen said the construction for the branch, which started last summer, is similar to someone currently building a house.

“Well, I think most people building a building at this time or building a home, any project related to construction, the biggest challenge has been supply chain,” Hafen said. “I think that’s been the greatest challenge, but we’ve worked through it.

The positive vibes of the new branch also come as the bank is preparing for its 45th year of service in June.

Hafen said the milestone exemplifies what the bank stands for and its motto: “Community. It’s who we are. It’s what we do.”

“It shows that as a community bank in the state in the Nevada, we are here to support and to assist the community,” Hafen said. “45 years is a good milestone and we’ve been serving communities throughout eastern Nevada, helping them grow, helping small businesses, helping consumers buy homes and cars and things that they need.”

The trend of celebrations will continue as Nevada Bank & Trust is set to have a new emblem to give a fresh, new look while standing out as a small community bank in Mesquite.

“We are moving from a logo and branding that we’ve had for many years to a more bolder logo, in my opinion, and kind of set the bank apart for recognition as well,” Hafen said.

Being part of the community, not only in Mesquite but in the surrounding areas, has been the focus for the bank.

As the Nevada Bank & Trust prepares for its grand opening in Mesquite and its 45-year anniversary in June, Hafen is hoping for him, his bank and the employees to continue its values for years to come.

“We are a community bank, meaning we serve the community and we offer everything a bigger bank can offer and we make that choice to do so to help the communities in which we service, whether it is here in Mesquite, or in Caliente, or Ely or Elko,” Hafen said. “That’s our goal and that will continue to be our goal in the future.”