March 16, 2026 —
Availa Bank Welcomes New Regional Retail Leader
Ankeny, Iowa (March 16, 2026) – Availa Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Sam Carpenter as the new Regional Retail Leader for the Ankeny, Ames, Council Bluffs, Nevada, and Sioux City markets. In this role, Carpenter will lead the implementation and execution of strategic initiatives across the retail team, with a focus on coaching, sales development, performance monitoring, and deposit growth.
Carpenter brings more than a decade of banking experience, beginning her career as a teller in 2013 and advancing through a wide range of roles, including Universal Banker, Branch Manager, Dual Manager and Licensed Facilitator, and District Manager. She holds a degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
“Sam brings a blend of strong leadership, strategic thinking, and genuine passion for people,” said Aaron Lawson, SVP, Director of Retail Banking. “Her experience across multiple roles and markets gives her a valuable perspective that will strengthen our teams and enhance the service we provide to our customers. We’re excited to welcome her to Availa Bank.”
Carpenter has lived in the Des Moines area for the past 10 years and is active in the local community. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
General
Availa Bank’s roots date back to 1870 when it was originally chartered. Availa is the first three syllables of the word available, a word that defines the bank’s mission — to empower our team to inspire and enable our clients and the communities we serve to achieve financial success. Availa Bank locations are in the following communities: Ames, Ankeny, Carroll, Coon Rapids, Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, Holstein, Jewell, Nevada, Omaha (LPO Only), Pocahontas, Sioux City and Webster City. For more information about Availa Bank, visit www.Availa.Bank. Member FDIC.
