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First National 1870 is pleased to announce that Ernesto Avila is the new Regional President for its El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico markets. In this role he is responsible for local community outreach and management and growth of First National 1870, a division of Sunflower Bank, N.A. Sunflower Bank is the fifth largest bank headquartered in Colorado with approximately $4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2018.1
“Ernesto’s vision for El Paso and Las Cruces matches our commitment to community banking,” said Mollie Carter, Chairman of Sunflower Bank. “He has an impressive background in banking and risk management, as well as a deep appreciation for the region, the people and businesses we serve, and his First National 1870 associates. We are thrilled that he is rejoining Sunflower Bank and First National 1870.”
Avila has been in banking for 20 years and has expertise in commercial relationship management, credit administration and private banking. He held progressively more responsible positions at global and international banks before joining Capital Bank in El Paso in 2010 where he held multiple roles. Previously he led the strategic direction and relationship management of the bank’s bi-national program serving commercial and high net-worth clients with financial interests on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Prior to this, he served as senior credit manager and holds the Credit Risk Certification designation from the Risk Management Association.
Avila has a long history of community engagement. He has served on the boards of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and Desarrollo Económico de Ciudad Juárez, and is a founding member and current Chairman of Fundación Paso del Norte para la Salud y Bienestar. He holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and a Master in Business Leadership from DUXX, Graduate School of Business.
“As a part of Sunflower Bank, First National 1870 provides a full range of financial products supported by the resources of a regional community bank and strengthened by the deep local knowledge we provide. I look forward to using these unique benefits to enhance our long-term relationships and build new ones that will help our community grow together,” said Avila.