
Chris J. Murphy
Chris J. Murphy is Executive Chairman of First Westroads Bank, one of the most successful locally owned banks serving the community since 1967. Chris and Betsy purchased the Bank in 1990.
Under Chris’s leadership, the Bank has received the coveted highest rating from Bauer Financial for the past 17 consecutive years, and its excellence rating for 32 consecutive years. Bauer Financial recognized First Westroads Bank for excelling in capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality, and much more.
The Murphy Family believes strongly in giving back to the community that has long supported their business and values. He currently serves on the Creighton University board of directors and on the University of Notre Dame’s Graduate Studies & Research Advisory Council.
He has served in leadership roles on the boards and executive committees of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America Council, Children’s Hospital and its Foundation, The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, and Nebraska Bankers Association, among others. Several recognitions include the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year, Scouting’s Walter Scott, Jr. Citizen of the Year and the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights Honorary Chairman.
A graduate of Creighton Prep, Drake University, and the Colorado Graduate School of Banking, Chris and Betsy have two children. Their son, Daniel, is part of the Bank’s senior leadership and board of directors.
With the Bank’s 50th year anniversary, Chris and Betsy created the Murphy Vision Fund from which was made the lead investment in Omaha’s Startup Collaborative. Several of those investments are making significant small business transformations.
Since 2013, Chris and Betsy have also sponsored the Murphy Cup, a joint marketing strategy competition between Creighton and Drake University. The event brings together top marketing seniors from both schools to collaborate on real-world client challenges in a weekend-long competition that emphasizes both teamwork and innovation.
Chris’s dedication to family, community, education, and entrepreneurship reflects his belief that success is best shared—and that strong communities are built through service and vision.
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