Wells Fargo & Company announced that it has named 27-year banking veteran Becky Gibson to lead its Iowa Middle Market Banking team as regional vice president, effective immediately. Iowa is one of Wells Fargo’s most-established markets, growing revenues more than 30 percent from 2012 to present.
Gibson succeeds Grant Friesth, recently promoted after eight years in the Iowa post to lead the commercial bank’s Central Division, including Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota Middle Market Banking teams.
Gibson, reports to Friesth and oversees eight experienced commercial lending professionals, who deliver Wells Fargo’s localized approach to serving privately held, middle-market companies with revenues of $20 million and above. The bank’s Middle Market Banking hub in Des Moines provides more than 80 Wholesale Banking services to customers in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, distribution, and technology.
Middle-market companies drive the economy in the Central U.S. and nationally, reporting average revenue growth of 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter and a strong year of overall growth in 2016 according to the National Center for the Middle Market.
“We’re pleased to elevate another high-caliber Wells Fargo veteran in Iowa, who will continue to guide our local middle market banking team with integrity, diligence, and commitment to helping companies succeed financially,” Friesth said, pointing out that Wells Fargo continues to add new bankers and support staff to support customer demand. “With nearly three decades of experience under her belt, Becky is well-versed in the financial needs of our Iowa customers.”
Previously serving as a senior vice president and senior commercial relationship manager, Gibson spent a majority of her career directly serving customers. She joined Wells Fargo in 2006, after spending 16 years with Bank of America and its predecessors.
Gibson earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Iowa and also graduated from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, which promotes public awareness and commitment to improving quality of life in the community. She serves on the Easter Seals of Iowa and Metro Women Connect boards and is an active member of FinCapital, Iowa’s Center for Economic Success. Gibson also sits on the national diversity council for Wells Fargo Wholesale Banking. She previously served on the Des Moines Symphony, Neighborhood Finance Corporation, and Prevent Blindness Iowa boards.
More than 16,000 Wells Fargo team members live, work, and support customers in Iowa, volunteering 146,000 hours and donating 5.64 million in 2015 in communities across the state. Wells Fargo donated more than $5.6 million to 368 Iowa nonprofits and schools, including $663,000 for community development, including financial literacy, housing, and small business projects.