Washington, MO – Bank of Washington Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer L. B. Eckelkamp, Jr. recently announced the promotion of Jay Nowak to Executive Vice President. 

“Jay’s devotion to our Bank, our community, and our employees exemplifies the Bank of Washington’s mission,” stated President Louis B. “Buzz” Eckelkamp, III.  “This promotion reflects both the expertise and the strong, consistent leadership that he provides to the Bank of Washington.  We know he will continue to do great things across our entire organization as he steps into this new role, and we are honored to have him as a leader of our organization.” 

Nowak joined the bank in 2007 as vice president in commercial lending, was promoted in 2013 to senior vice president, commercial lending, and has 25 years of financial experience.  He is a St. Francis Borgia Regional High School alum and graduated from Lindenwood University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance.  He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado.

“Working side by side with the employees, directors and owners of the Bank of Washington is an honor for me.  I am fortunate to be part of a talented organization that strives to be the trusted advisor for families and small businesses in our community,” stated Nowak. “The employees at the Bank of Washington dedicate their time and talents not only to do what is best for our customers, but by also being involved in civic events, churches, schools and not for profit organizations.  Being at the Bank of Washington is extremely gratifying when you see the excitement of a first-time car buyer, the proud owner of a family home, and the successful small business that provides employment and stability to our local economy.  I look forward to continuing to serve the employees of the Bank of Washington and the citizens of our community while building upon all of those ties that have been forged in the past.” 

Nowak serves as a member of the St. Francis Borgia Athletic Association, the Parish Finance committee and Athletic Association at Our Lady of Lourdes, the Knights of Columbus and Washington Rotary Club.  He also volunteers with Youth Sports, YMCA mentoring, the American Heart Association and the Borgia Alumni Association, and is a director with the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce. He has served as a board member of the Washington Town and Country Fair where he was the 2011 Chairman, and also served on the board of Four Rivers Area Family YMCA.  Additionally, Nowak is a member of the Missouri Bankers Association (MBA), is a former chair of MBA Young Bankers Leadership Division and is a graduate of Banking Leadership Missouri.  He was also a recipient of an Outstanding Young Professional Award was presented by the Washington Chamber of Commerce and The Missourian.   

Nowak and his wife Colleen reside in Washington with their three children, Cade, Jacob and Kendall, and are members of Our Lady of Lourdes parish.

The Bank of Washington is the oldest and largest community bank in Franklin County, serving the community for over 140 years.  The bank has six branch locations and is open seven days-a-week at its branch location inside Schnucks in Washington. The investments that the Bank of Washington makes in the local community ranks them as one of the largest commercial lenders in the St. Louis area and they were voted the number one bank and mortgage lender in the Washington Missourian Readers’ Choice Awards.