Miles A. Colwell, Sr. is assistant vice president and business banking relationship manager at Commerce Bank, serving as a primary advisor for commercial relationships, facilitating credit requests and working with business partners to deliver a full range of financial products and solutions. A rising star both locally and across the bank’s regional footprint, he has quickly worked his way up the ranks, earning multiple promotions and distinguishing himself during the COVID-19 pandemic by his tireless efforts assisting with more than 7,000 loans through the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program.
Colwell has received numerous awards during his time at Commerce Bank, including the 2017 “New Role, High Impact” award as a first-year business banking representative. In 2020, he was honored with the “Challenge Accepted” award for helping customers weather the storm of the pandemic, and he has received three “Blue Chips” during his tenure, recognizing employees who consistently go above and beyond the expectations of their job role. He also was a founding member and chair of EMERGE, Commerce Bank’s employee resource group for young professionals.
A 2018 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School (CLS), Colwell now sits on the committee that organizes the class schedule, recruits new members and mentors participants throughout the program. A strong supporter of the Heart of Illinois United Way, he is a current member of the United Way Campaign Cabinet, past co-chair of the United Way Pacesetter Campaign, and a grant reviewer for the organization. As vice chair of the Junior Achievement of Central Illinois Young Professionals Board, he helps empowers youth through work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy education. He has also served as a volunteer and house captain for the Peoria chapter of Rebuilding Together, which helps low-income elderly homeowners through home repair and rehabilitation. PM
