<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>c06376exv23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 23

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM'S CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-120089 on Form S-8 of our report dated, June 6, 2006, relating to the
statements of net assets available for benefits of the West Bancorporation, Inc.
Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan, as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and
the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the
year ended December 31, 2005, which report appears in the fiscal year December
31, 2005 Annual Report on Form 11-K of the West Bancorporation, Inc. Employee
Savings and Stock Ownership Plan.


                                        /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
June 29, 2006
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
