SALT LAKE CITY, May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Roy W. Simmons, founder and former chairman of Zions Bancorporation, passed away May 9 at age 90. Born January 24, 1916, in Portland, Oregon, he served as CEO of Zions Bancorporation and Zions First National Bank from 1964 until 1990, and retired as chairman of the board in 2002. Since then he has served as chairman emeritus. In 1955, Mr. Simmons and his business partners organized Keystone Insurance and Investment Co., which acquired a controlling interest in Zions First National Bank in 1960. Keystone later changed its name to Zions Bancorporation. By the time he retired in 2002, Mr. Simmons had built Zions into one of the nation's premier banking companies. His son, Harris H. Simmons, now serves as the company's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
"Roy Simmons was one of the nation's most respected and admired bankers and was prominent in numerous community affairs," said Doyle L. Arnold, vice chairman and chief financial officer. "He will be deeply missed by all who knew him."
Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation's premier financial services companies, consisting of a collection of great banks in select high growth markets. Zions operates its banking businesses under local management teams and community identities through over 450 offices and 500 ATMs in 10 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. The company is a national leader in Small Business Administration lending and public finance advisory services. In addition, Zions is included in the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Financial 100 indices. Investor information and links to subsidiary banks can be accessed at http://www.zionsbancorporation.com/.
