Charter West Bank’s history began in 1983, a period marked by significant challenges in the agricultural economy of the American Midwest. Founded by auto dealers Steve and Hugh Paus in West Point, Nebraska, the bank was established with a mission to put community and customer service ahead of traditional corporate banking priorities. In 1985, CharterWest National Bank officially opened its doors, fueled by local investment. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the bank pursued a strategy of purposeful growth, acquiring deposits from Equitable Federal Savings & Loan and expanding its branch network to locations like Walthill, Pender, and eventually the Omaha metro area. By 2015, the institution transitioned from a national to a state-regulated bank, officially becoming CharterWest Bank. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, the bank has grown from a single office into a significant regional player with a massive mortgage division and dozens of locations, maintaining its long-standing dedication to the local communities of Nebraska and Iowa.