Mountain West Bank CEO Jon Hippler will retire at the end of the year. Hippler, 66, has served as chief executive since the bank was founded in 1993 in Coeur d’Alene.

He will be replaced by Russ Porter, the bank’s president and chief operating officer. Porter will be replaced by Rod Colwell, who recently joined the bank’s executive team.

Mountain West Bank has 23 locations in Idaho, Eastern Washington and northern Utah. It’s the largest state-chartered bank in Idaho.

“We have been living in a difficult banking environment these last three years,” Hippler said in a news release. “As I leave, I’m confident that the leadership we have put in place and the nearly 400 employees of Mountain West will continue to not only deal effectively with ongoing challenges,but also take the bank forward to new heights as conditions continue to improve.”

Hippler grew up in Coeur d’Alene, graduated from Coeur d’ Alene High School and the University of Idaho, and served with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He will remain on the Mountain West Bank board of directors.

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