Washington, MO – Bank of Washington Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer L. B. Eckelkamp, Jr. has announced the promotion of Jess Bowen to Assistant Vice President of Retail Banking at Bank of Washington.

“Jess demonstrates consistent leadership in our retail banking space, encouraging employees to meet and exceed goals while ensuring they have the training they need to succeed,” stated President Louis B. “Buzz” Eckelkamp, III.  “Jess continues to remain focused on providing our customers with a positive experience and ensuring our commitment to continue to fully serve our customers is achieved.”

Bowen joined the bank in 2006 and has experience throughout many departments inside the bank, including new accounts, bookkeeping, electronic banking, and branch management.

“Having exposure to many aspects of retail banking has helped me gain a deep understanding of our products, services, and operations. This has allowed me to help create effective practices, policies, and training to further enhance the customer experience,” stated Bowen. “We believe employee training and culture go hand in hand with the customer experience. Creating a culture where employees feel excited and motivated to enhance their skills to better serve our customers is where my passion lies. As we cultivate an environment of development and service, our customers share in this excitement and ultimately reap the benefits. I believe this mindset is what allows us to deliver the utmost customer experience.”

Bowen supports several local organizations through event fundraising efforts and has been steadily involved with Relay for Life in Franklin County for 8 years, where she has even served as Team Captain. She helped earn the Bank of Washington an award for Relay for Life Top Corporate Team. Additionally, she regularly volunteers for Meals on Wheels and St. Francis Borgia Grade School’s Shop and Earn. She is a Union High School alum, has a degree in Business Management and has completed the Missouri School of Bank Management. Bowen is a 2020 recipient of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Professional Award. She is also a member of the Missouri Young Bankers Association.

Bowen resides in Washington with her husband, Jason, and her daughter, Olivia.

The Bank of Washington is the oldest and largest community bank in Franklin County, serving the community for more than 140 years. The bank has six branch locations and, since COVID, has extended hours at its Fifth Street branch and Fourteenth Street branch to be open on weeknights until 7 p.m., and extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays as well.  For full hours and updates, visit www.bankofwashington.com.  The Bank of Washington has also been consistently voted the No. 1 bank and mortgage lender in the Washington Missourian Readers’ Choice Awards.