In this episode of The Business Signal, Dirk Hobbs speaks with InBank Founder, president and CEO Ed Francis about InBank’s ($1.4B) proposed merger with FNBO ($35B) and what the next chapter could mean for customers, employees and communities across southern Colorado and New Mexico. The merger is still pending approval which is estimated to be finalized January 1, 2027.

The conversation examines the importance of preserving InBank’s emphasis on personal relationships, local decision-making and experienced banking teams while gaining access to FNBO’s broader resources and what triggers banks such as FNBO look at markets like southern Colorado for investment. The completion of this merger will extend FNBO's Colorado footprint to 30 locations - nine of which represent the southern Colorado offices currently branded InBank. FNBO's current Colorado locations are in north Denver, Ft. Collins and northern Colorado.

Customers are expected to see no immediate changes (until mid 2027), while the completed merger, would eventually provide expanded mortgage, credit-card, private-banking and wealth-management services- as well as greater lending capacity for commercial clients.

Francis will continue leading InBank’s existing markets following the merger. It is a timely discussion about growth, culture and what business owners should expect as two deeply rooted banking organizations prepare to come together.

https://inbank.com

https://fnbo.com