On September 16, 2024, the Iowa Bankers Association honored Barry Cropp and Al Petersen for their remarkable 50-year careers in banking. Barry currently serves as a front desk receptionist at West Bank’s Headquarters in West Des Moines. Al retired in December 2023 as a Commercial Banker. Throughout both of their long careers in banking, Barry and Al remained steadfast in their dedication to serving customers and staying active in the community.

Barry Cropp

Barry Cropp began his career in banking in Des Moines in 1970 and has been with West Bank since 1993. 

Serving as a Consumer Banking Officer in 1992, prior to joining West Bank, Barry won a sales contest for credit cards, winning a trip for two to Hawaii! Interviewed at the time and asked about his sales technique, Barry stated that effective customer service is founded in the belief that “we can’t be bigger than the person across the desk, because they are the reason we’re here.” His sincere ability to connect with his customers and gain their trust is notable to this day, as he greets customers, makes them feel at ease, and directs them to the correct department to meet their needs. Barry truly doesn’t know a stranger, and his deep Des Moines roots have served him well in his banking career.

Barry credits his godmother, Ruth Sandy, as his inspiration for getting into banking, a field that employed few persons of color in the Des Moines area in the 1970s. Ruth was a banker who took Barry under her wing when he was seven years old, challenging him to “change peoples’ way of thinking” by working hard, being respectful, and selling himself to the executives in charge of hiring. Starting in the file room, he worked through the ranks at several financial institutions, becoming a Personal Banker and eventually an Assistant Branch Manager at West Bank. He credits many leaders of the banking community for believing in him along the way, such as Everett Newcomb, Marvin Mazie, J. Locke Macomber, and David Miller. 

Outside of the bank, Barry has served for years as Cantor, Soloist, and Choir Member at the Basilica of St. John Catholic Church. His volunteer activities are varied, from joining other West Bankers in scrubbing the streets prior to the Valley Junction Art Fair, working the beer tent at the Farmers Market, and staffing his church’s BBQ stand at the State Fair, to singing with Musica Ecclesia, appearing in musicals, caroling at nursing homes, and participating in community choral events. He has also been a regular participant in the Friendly Songs of St. Patrick parade in downtown Des Moines.

Al Petersen

Al Petersen began his banking career working for his family-owned bank in Harlan, Iowa while he was in high school in 1973. After working in a bank in Iowa City during college, he relocated to the Des Moines market after graduation. Throughout his 50-year banking career, he has served in many different roles and departments including teller, accounting, retail banking, branch management, commercial banking, and special assets. This prepared him well to serve as a mentor for many retail bankers.

Throughout the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond, Al saw his fair share of ups and downs in the economy and in the banking industry. He humbly describes his biggest accomplishments as the way he has “survived” many of the banking industry’s toughest times including deregulation in the 1970s, high inflationary periods and farm crises of the 1980s, floods in the 1990s, recessions, digital transformations, and everything in between. Most recently, in 2020, he led West Bank’s branch teams through the PPP lending process during the Covid pandemic. 

Al considers himself fortunate to have worked with a number of talented leaders in the banking industry. This includes John Ruan and John Crystal with Bankers Trust and David Miller and Dave Nelson with West Bank. 

Outside of his time at the bank, Al served on the Bethel Mission and Hope Ministries Board of Directors and held the position of board chair for several years. He also served on the Rebuilding Together Board of Directors. Additionally, he gave back to young professionals in the banking industry by serving as a consultant for Junior Achievement and teaching in American Institute of Banking programs.