In the heart of Glenwood, Iowa, the Dean family has built a lasting tradition in community banking, spanning more than a century. At the forefront today is Grant Dean, a fourth-generation banker who serves as President of Glenwood State Bank, continuing the institution’s long history of service and dedication to its customers. Working alongside him is Larry Winum, CEO of Glenwood State Bank and Grant’s brother-in-law, who shares the same deep-rooted commitment to local banking and the communities they serve.

A Century-Long Commitment to Community Banking

Founded in 1899, Glenwood State Bank has been an essential part of southwest Iowa’s financial landscape for more than 125 years. The bank was started by a group of local business owners, including Grant’s great-grandfather C.E. Dean, who recognized the need for a community-focused financial institution. From the beginning, the bank operated with the belief that decisions about local lending and financial services should be made by people who know and understand the community.

This principle remained at the core of Glenwood State Bank as it grew under the leadership of Grant’s grandfather Leonard Dean and later, his father, John Dean. Each generation contributed to the bank’s growth while keeping its focus on serving local businesses, families, and farmers.

John C. Dean: A Leader in Iowa Banking

Born on August 30, 1925, in Glenwood, Iowa, John Chadwick Dean dedicated his life to both his community and his country. After serving in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict, he returned home and joined Glenwood State Bank in 1954, working alongside his father. Over the next several decades, he played a key role in shaping the bank’s direction and was involved in nearly every aspect of its operations.

John didn’t just help lead Glenwood State Bank—he helped strengthen community banking across Iowa. He was a co-founder of the Community Bankers of Iowa (CBI), working alongside other independent bankers to create an organization that would advocate for locally owned banks across the state. He believed that community banks played a unique and essential role in their communities and worked tirelessly to protect their independence.

Even well into his later years, John remained active in the bank. He worked full-time into his 90s and part-time until his passing in 2023, always committed to ensuring that Glenwood State Bank remained strong and locally owned.

Growing Up with CBI: A Family Vacation with a Purpose

For Grant Dean, community banking and CBI were part of life from a young age. He was just seven or eight years old when his father became involved with the organization, and attending CBI’s annual convention quickly became a family tradition.

“The convention was our family vacation,” Grant recalls. “I remember my first one, meeting everyone, running around with other kids while the adults talked banking. We grew up around it.”

What started as a fun trip as a child became an important learning experience as Grant got older. At the time, interstate banking and the protection of independent charters were key concerns for Iowa’s bankers. Grant listened as his father and other community bank leaders discussed why a bank in Iowa wasn’t the same as a bank in New York and why local decision-making mattered. Those conversations shaped his understanding of the industry and prepared him for the role he holds today.

Today, both Grant and Larry are carrying forward the legacy of leadership within the Community Bankers of Iowa. Larry has served as CBI President, while Grant currently serves on the Board of Directors. Together, they apply the lessons passed down to them and remain committed to ensuring the bank delivers personalized service and local decision-making—just as those who came before them did.

Glenwood State Bank Today: Balancing Tradition and Progress

More than a century after its founding, Glenwood State Bank has grown, but its mission remains the same. With locations in Glenwood, Tabor, and Council Bluffs, the bank continues to provide financial services tailored to the needs of southwest Iowa’s families, farmers, and small businesses.

Under the co-leadership of Grant Dean and Larry Winum, the bank has modernized its services while maintaining its customer-first approach. They have introduced digital banking solutions, expanded business lending programs, and enhanced security measures to keep up with evolving industry needs, all while ensuring that every decision remains centered on what’s best for their customers and community.

“Technology changes, regulations change, but at the end of the day, people want a banker they can trust,” Larry says. “That’s what community banking is all about.”

Lessons in Leadership: The Dean Family’s Ongoing Impact

Grant Dean’s story—both as a lifelong advocate for community banking and as a leader at Glenwood State Bank—is a reminder of the important role independent banks play in Iowa’s communities.

Grant and Larry have worked to protect local banking—through their leadership at Glenwood State Bank, their contributions to CBI, and their dedication to helping independent banks stay competitive. Their commitment to local decision-making and personalized service remains as strong today as it was in 1899.

As banking continues to evolve, leaders like Grant Dean and Larry Winum are ensuring that Glenwood State Bank remains independent, responsive, and focused on the needs of its customers. Through their leadership, they continue the family tradition of keeping community banking strong in Iowa.