First Western Federal Savings Bank

First Western Federal Savings Bank is a South Dakota-based portfolio lender founded in 1979 that operates nationally. Its clearest niche is non-recourse lending tied to self-directed retirement accounts — IRA non-recourse loans, 401(k) plan loans, and IRA LLC loans — alongside a broader menu of investor real estate products covering single-family, multifamily, commercial, agricultural land, and vacation rental properties. The bank also offers CRP payment loans, a specialty rarely found at conventional lenders. As a portfolio lender it holds its own loans, which can mean more flexibility on deal structure than a bank selling into the secondary market. A Bauer Financial badge is displayed on its website, suggesting a passing financial health rating, though the specific star level is not confirmed in available data. Qualifying criteria such as minimum loan size, credit score requirements, and rate ranges are not published, so prospective borrowers will need to contact the bank directly to assess fit.