James Podewils, president and CEO of Continental Savings Bank
Name: James Podewils
Title: President/CEO
Company: Continental Savings Bank
Family: Wife – Sadie; Daughter – Angela
What’s new at your bank this year? "We had opened an office last year at 25th and West Lincoln Avenue, which is in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood. The building we constructed for the branch also included four apartments and commercial/retail space. Whereas, we have served the lending needs of the Hispanic community the branch allowed us to expand our outreach with more educational programs."
What was the most interesting moment of your career? "In 1999 one of our offices caught fire and sustained heavy damage. A few days earlier, I had spoken to a prospective tenant regarding the redevelopment of the branch site to accommodate their business. It was a very interesting phone call that day when I informed the tenant that we could begin the project earlier than first expected. The project was very successful for the bank."
