It's a Wonderful (Community Banking) Life

While I may be biased, I believe that being a community banker is the best profession there is. There’s just something about watching your customers realize their dreams—whether buying their first home, opening a small business or starting their kid’s college fund—that is second to none. Every day, we get to make an important contribution to the lives and happiness of those we serve, and that’s a unique gift. 

But that feeling is mutual. I have had customers come up and thank me publicly for helping them out. For example, one time I was out in our local mall, and a contractor whom the bank had helped came up and introduced me to his daughter, saying, “Without Jack and his bank, we wouldn’t have the nice things we have now.” It was a moving experience and one that makes me honored to be part of this industry. 

The employee experience

That sense of community extends to our employees as well. We take a very family-oriented approach to the work environment. We want our employees to feel like we are their second family, and we want them to feel the depth of commitment that we have to our community. So, we encourage them to serve on nonprofit boards, school boards and other opportunities to be an integral part of the great people we serve. 

At some point, every community bank employee comes to the realization that small businesses are engines of the economy and community banks are the gasoline. They realize that what they are doing makes their community a better place to live, work and do business. In fact, a while back, we recruited a commercial lender from one of the larger banks in town. She decided to come work for us with the stipulation she’d only stay five years and then take an early retirement. Well, 15 years later at her retirement celebration, she told us that she’d wished she’d come to work for us long before she did, because working in community banking gave her the best 15 years of her career.

So, this December, as you reflect on the past year, take a minute to appreciate all those ways you have served your community. Recognize that every time we are able to help a customer, we’re empowering them to fulfill their dreams, a feat not many other professions can claim. Coming from that perspective, I guess what they say is true: As community bankers, we really do have a wonderful life. 

Wishing you and yours the very happiest of holiday seasons!