First Southwest Bank, a locally owned bank and Community Development Financial Institution, reappointed Barry Spear and Bryan Dear to its board of directors. Spear and Dear have been members of the FSWB Inc. and FSWB boards of directors since 2016.

Spear is a retired lawyer having practiced in Durango since 1984 as a partner with Maynes, Bradford Shipps & Sheftel, LLP and with Shand, McLachlan, Newbold & Spear. PC. When in practice, Spear represented numerous local banks, electric cooperatives and water districts and represented FSWB when his law practice was active. He has also served on the boards of directors for many area nonprofits, currently including the HomesFund. He received his J.D. (with honors) from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and his B.A. from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dear moved to Durango in 1991 with his wife, Jacquelyn. They raised their two children in Durango. He is an accounting graduate from the University of Colorado-Boulder and obtained his CPA license in 1983. He founded The Payroll Department Inc. in 1993. Its team of 20 currently provides payroll and time and attendance services to 850 employers – 90% located in the Durango area. TPD also works to create meaningful engagement with the community though contributing to a host of nonprofits.

In August, Gov. Jared Polis recognized First Southwest Bank as a PPP Hero for its outstanding service to small businesses during the pandemic. In 2020, First Southwest Bank was also named Community/Rural Lender of the Year by the Colorado Small Business Administration, and Business of the Year by the Durango Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit FSWB.bank.