Commercial and Industrial Lending
Meet the Commercial and Industrial Lending team. We'd love to connect with you and explore how 1st Security Bank can partner with you for your C&I loan needs.
Commercial and Industrial Lending


Ben Crowl
Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer
Ben has over 15 years of diverse experience in the banking industry including many years in commercial and consumer lending. After beginning his career as a college intern at a local community bank in La Jolla, California, Ben discovered he had a passion for serving businesses and consumers alike.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Northern Arizona University with a specialty in Marketing and Advertising. He is an honor graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School, a master’s level program held at the University of Washington, and has an Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business.
With a deep dedication to local nonprofits and the community, Ben has served on several nonprofit boards throughout his career. He finds satisfaction in being able to use the skills he has developed in banking to help others.


Stephanie Nicklaus
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer
Stephanie has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry, including many years in credit, lending, operations, and leadership. After starting her career at a community bank on the central coast of California, Stephanie found a passion for commercial lending, leadership development, and most significantly encouraging collaboration across business lines. She is an honors graduate with an MBA from the University of Washington, with a specialty in Finance and Organizational Management. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School with an Executive Leadership Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business. Stephanie is active in the business and local community, having served on various boards and service organizations. Her passion for service, equity and inclusion, and the development of future leaders is unwavering.


Brian Kunkel
Senior Vice President, Director of Commercial Lending
In early 2016, Brian joined the Bank and has contributed significantly to the commercial lending growth. He oversees 1st Security Bank’s commercial lending platform including managing the commercial and industrial (C&I) lending teams and the treasury management team.
Brian brings nearly two decades of banking industry experience, including fifteen years as a seasoned commercial lender. Prior to his employment with 1st Security Bank, he spent several years as a senior lender for a large regional bank focusing on middle-market clients. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and in 2010, graduated from the American Bankers Association, Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania. He has also completed the Omega Performance Credit Training Program and a Bank Management Training Program.
Brian is passionate about building long-term relationships within the community and providing unique perspectives for business owners. He provides a personalized touch for his clients, focusing on their banking needs so they can focus on what they do best.
Mike Charters
VP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Mike Charters
VP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager
Joe Corona
VP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Joe Corona
VP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager
Casey Cronk
AVP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Casey Cronk
AVP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager
Anthony Galvan
AVP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Anthony Galvan
AVP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager
Melanie Miller
SVP, Commercial Lending Team Lead


Melanie Miller
SVP, Commercial Lending Team Lead
Robert Nesbitt
SVP, Commercial Lending Team Lead


Robert Nesbitt
SVP, Commercial Lending Team Lead
Kevin Richards
SVP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Kevin Richards
SVP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager
Kylen Stevenson
AVP, Assistant Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Kylen Stevenson
AVP, Assistant Commercial Lending Relationship Manager
Albert Suh
VP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager


Albert Suh
VP, Commercial Lending Relationship Manager

