West Bancorporation (WTBA) S-3/A Shelf registration (amended)

Exhibit 12.1

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	Year Ended December 31
(dollars in thousands)	2008		2007		2006		2005		2004
Excluding Interest on Deposits:
Income before income taxes	$	9,260	$	27,396	$	28,535	$	29,470	$	28,185
Fixed charges:
Interest expense		9,910		13,672		9,200		9,161		6,510
1/3 of net rent expense		525		542		498		331		294
Total fixed charges		10,435		14,214		9,698		9,492		6,804
Preferred dividend requirement		-		-		-		-		-
Fixed charges and preferred dividends	$	10,435	$	14,214	$	9,698	$	9,492	$	6,804
Earnings	$	19,695	$	41,610	$	38,233	$	38,962	$	34,989
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		1.89		2.93		3.94		4.10		5.14
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends		1.89		2.93		3.94		4.10		5.14
Including Interest on Deposits:
Income before income taxes	$	9,260	$	27,396	$	28,535	$	29,470	$	28,185
Fixed charges:
Interest expense		31,431		43,823		40,669		25,102		13,952
1/3 of net rent expense		525		542		498		331		294
Total fixed charges		31,956		44,365		41,167		25,433		14,246
Preferred dividend requirement		-		-		-		-		-
Fixed charges and preferred dividends	$	31,956	$	44,365	$	41,167	$	25,433	$	14,246
Earnings	$	41,216	$	71,761	$	69,702	$	54,903	$	42,431
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		1.29		1.62		1.69		2.16		2.98
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends		1.29		1.62		1.69		2.16		2.98