Pub. 6 2018 Issue 4

12 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org WHY COMMUNITY BANKING W hen I was recently asked why I chose to be an independent community banker and what makes me want to continue on that path, my initial response was something relatively stock. The details were something along the lines of wanting to remain flexible and adaptable to customer needs, while still being closely tied to the community that I choose to live and work in. The answer was the type one would give out at a cocktail party so as to provide enough information to placate the questioner, but not enough to get too deep into the why. As I gave the question a bit more thought, however, I began to think more intently about the decisions that have guided me down this path. Being someone born and raised in Montana, I was instilled with an intense loyalty to my state and the communities I’ve lived in. This state truly is the Last Best Place. As such, I want to do my part to continue the legacy that those Montanans who came before had started. Montana is a large state in size, but it’s relatively small in pop- ulation. It’s hard to go anywhere without running into someone you know. Perhaps that is why it feels as though everyone is a neighbor. It seems only natural to want to help those neighbors in any way that I can. I enjoy that I get to know my customers more deeply than just as a name or an account number. We see each other out at the movies, at the grocery store, and at local events. Being an independent banker affords me the opportunity to help my neighbors realize their dreams. I think it may be easy to sometimes forget what a banker provides to their customers. A consumer loan can provide the opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime, the security of a re- liable vehicle, or the goal of homeownership. Commercial lending can provide the necessary financing for a startup business or the expan- sion of an existing business. These businesses quite literally create jobs. The jobs that our neighbors need to live, work, and raise their families in the communities that we so intensely love. Quick responses and creative lending solutions that my customers deserve are easy to deliver as an independent banker. This job also gives me the ability to directly impact my community. I get to put customer deposits from the community right back to work here through the loans we originate. Independent banks are fortunate because they get to make their decisions locally. I don’t have to explain why something is good for our community to a distant decision maker. This also helps speed up the process, which is something that most small business owners really appreciate. An independent bank is itself a small business and can relate to the struggles of its customers in a more personal and direct way. I know that as an independent bank, we have our customer’s best interest in mind when we make decisions. You do not hear stories about an independent bank opening or closing accounts without customer knowledge. You will not hear about a community bank charging outlandish fees for their services. You may however, hear about an independent banker that someone has been working with for 10, 15, or even 20 years. You’ll probably hear about how an independent banker showed up to volunteer at a sports tournament, community clean-up day, or a non-profit function. You’ve proba- bly talked to someone who told you that the community banker that they work with was the only one who really listened and took a chance on them. That’s the difference to me- that’s my ‘why’. We aren’t trying to nickel and dime as many strangers as we can. We have to look our customers in the eyes when we make decisions that affect them, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to always do right by our neighbors. Looking back, my cocktail party answer wasn’t too far off. I do want to remain flexible and adaptable so that I can best serve my customers. I do want to be closely tied to the community that I choose to live and work in. As an independent banker, I get to come to work every day and help my community grow and thrive. Who wouldn’t want that? THE NATION'S f/RST BANKERS'BANK First For Your Success United Bankers' Bank is proud to be the nation's first and the upper Midwest's largest bankers' bank, covering 1 4 states and serving over 1,000 community banks from the Pacific Northwest to the Great Lakes. We can't wait to share our passion for community banking with you! For more information, contact your Montana Calling Officer: CraigMcCandless SVP Correspondent Banking Regional Sales Manager 406.281.2625 craig.mccandless@ubb.com First for Your Success'" www.ubb.com • Member FDIC 800.752.8140 By Tyler Armstrong; First Security, Helena, MT