Facing Growth with a Small Team

As a small bank entering a new phase of growth, Iowa State Bank & Trust found that its technology demands were increasing faster than its internal staffing could support. With a growing footprint and only a small internal team in place, Chief Technology Officer Mark Swan faced a challenge familiar to many community banks: keeping pace with expanded operations without adding headcount.

Swan describes reaching a point where finding and retaining the right technical talent became increasingly difficult. That gap led the bank to explore the idea of finding a partner that could provide more consistent, scalable support, as well as the deeper technical expertise and broader coverage than a small internal team could reasonably provide on its own.

That led Iowa State Bank & Trust to Navanta (formerly UFS). Peer referrals and Navanta’s integrated approach to managed IT services quickly stood out as a differentiator. Rather than stitching together multiple vendors, the bank saw value in working with a single partner capable of supporting infrastructure, networking, and collaboration tools in a coordinated way.

A Smooth and Supported Transition

The relationship began in February, with systems running side by side ahead of a July cutover. Swan expected the transition to be difficult, but the process proved more manageable than anticipated. Issues were addressed quickly, and the Navanta team remained closely engaged throughout implementation.

Navanta now supports the bank’s managed IT environment, including Microsoft 365, network connectivity, and failover capabilities. That support has reduced day-to-day technology burden and allowed Swan to spend more time working with colleagues and customers rather than managing infrastructure details.

Growth without the Strain of Multiple Vendors

That shift became especially valuable as the bank expanded. After partnering with Navanta, Iowa State Bank & Trust added a new branch, an experience Swan describes as more predictable and less disruptive than earlier expansions. Systems were extended without the complexity of bolting on new solutions or renegotiating multiple vendor relationships.

Banks looking to grow without stretching their teams thin often recognize the relief that comes from knowing expansion won’t require reinventing processes or juggling a patchwork of vendors. For Swan, the value of working with Navanta comes down to confidence and focus. The bank retains control and visibility while relying on a partner that can scale alongside it. Navanta has become an extension of the team, helping Iowa State Bank & Trust grow without overwhelming its internal resources.