Robert Faver, the seasoned banker with over a decade's tenure at UMB Bank Arizona, is shifting gears as he moves on to Sunwest Bank. According to Phoenix Business Journal, Faver will take on the role of executive vice president, managing director of commercial banking at Sunwest, signaling the end of his run as UMB Bank's regional president in Arizona. When questioned about his new role, Faver remained tight-lipped and deferred to the media relations team of his new employer who has kept mum on the matter.
Faver's banking journey began long before his UMB days, stretching back to 14 years of vice presidency in commercial banking at M&I Bank in Phoenix. At UMB AZ, he climbed the ranks from senior VP and chief credit officer to market president in 2013, driving UMB’s market share in Arizona. Details on his successor at UMB have yet to be announced by bank officials.
Faver's reputation precedes him, with a profile in Az Business Leaders magazine where he declares, “A highlight of my career was working with my amazing team at UMB to help our clients through the Paycheck Protection Program loan process in 2020." He advocates for the primacy of face-to-face interactions in business, stressing "real relationships are developed in person." Faver also revealed to the publication a personal tidbit, likening himself to a bear – valuing courage and possessing a natural competitive streak.
Sunwest Bank, with its headquarters nestled in Sandy, Utah, where Eric Hovde calls the shots as CEO, seems to ready itself for bolstering its team. Faver joins the ranks alongside Kevin Cutter, a recent Sunwest recruit from Bank 34, bearing the title of senior VP and regional president of Arizona's commercial banking division. These strategic additions mark Sunwest's ambition to strengthen its presence in the banking field, especially in markets like Maricopa County where it has been a budding entity compared to juggernauts like JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America.
