First Interstate Bank of Utah has named Richard W. Kieffer as president of the $950 million financial institution based in Salt Lake City.
George Rothell continues as chairman and chief executive officer.Kieffer, 50, executive vice president of operations and administration since 1981, was also appointed a director of First Interstate Bank of Utah (FIUT). Kieffer began his career with the bank in 1960 when it was Walker Bank & Trust Co.
According to a bank spokesman, Kieffer has been instrumental in developing innovative products and automated operational functions used throughout the First Interstate system.
He serves on several bank task forces and committees including the board of the First Interstate Bancard Company, the Security Policy Committee, the Retail Advisory Committee, and the Electronic Banking Advisory Committee.
Kieffer serves on a task force currently evaluating the economics of combining the administrative and operational functions of several affiliates.
"This will better position the bank to serve its customers in a deregulated environment," said Kieffer. "FIUT is experimenting with opportunities to combine data processing and administrative functions with First Interstate Bank of Arizona and First Interstate Bank of Nevada.
"Combining these functions will further enhance and strengthen FIUT's ability to serve its customers with state-of-the-art products and quality service. This move will help give a common look and unity to First Interstate products throughout the system. Also, it will be competitively beneficial as the corporation moves into 1990."
A 28-year resident of Utah, Kieffer is a director of United Way and the YMCA. He is a member of Salt Lake Rotary Club, the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and is an honorary colonel in the Utah Air National Guard.
Kieffer is a board member of the Salt Lake Clearing House and the Financial Foundation. He is a former board member of the Utah Bankers Association, past president of Youth Sports, and past co-chairman of an American Cancer Society fund-raiser.