Where are your main bank and branches located? What is the market like?

We have six branches across three counties in south central Missouri, with our main branch located in Salem. Our markets are rural towns with populations around 5,000 or less and strong agriculture concentrations, specifically cattle and timber.

What is something unique about your bank?

Our vision. Most people in the industry would expect a small, rurally based, independently owned bank to be more of a legacy-driven system, but that has not been the case in my time at Progressive Ozark Bank. One of the first things my hiring CEO suggested I do was ask “Why?” She said if the answer was “Because we’ve always done it that way,” then something needed to change. That may not have been the approach of every past CEO, but it was so encouraging to me as a new employee without prior banking experience. 

This visionary environment has remained through the addition of new personnel, new positions, new branches and the transition to a new CEO. Our approach to marketing initiatives, product and service offerings, and banker development isn’t stereotypical of our asset size or business structure. I love visiting with bankers from larger asset banks and hearing them say, “Wait, you have that, and you’re how big?” And it’s a good reminder that what we’re doing here is special.

How did you get started in the banking business?

I owned an insurance agency for seven years before transitioning to Progressive Ozark as the branch manager for the Houston, Missouri, location. I saw potential changes coming to the insurance industry that weren’t reassuring, so when the retiring branch manager asked if I’d be interested in being her successor, I thought it was worth a conversation. I’d known the retiring manager through a previous position earlier in my career.

What prompted you to want to begin a career in banking?

When I met with the bank leadership at the time, I quickly learned that the organization’s mission and goals aligned with my own, and I knew it was the right next step. My focus has always been on rural communities. I’m just a small-town girl at my core, but I’ve never been one to settle for small thinking. Progressive Ozark really lives up to its name in being dedicated to our local markets and the unique way of life here, while having a solutions-forward approach to business and banking.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned from this transition to the banking industry?

Oh, my! This is a bit of a loaded question. My degree is in marketing and, when I came into the banking industry … let’s just say it was a bit of culture shock. Early on, I attended a marketing conference, and they held a session on how to set up a Facebook Business page. I had already spent 10 years in marketing, had set up countless social pages that performed successfully and had managed paid ads accounts for multiple industries. So, I quickly learned that I had a lot of opportunities and work ahead of me. It did cross my mind that I might not stay in banking for very many years! But, as I mentioned earlier, Progressive Ozark strives to be a leader in the industry and isn’t intimidated by asset size. This organization embraced concepts that many larger banks hadn’t at that time, and I am very proud of how our brand is represented in our markets today. We have a robust marketing strategy, solid brand guidelines and a fantastic group of people who embrace our market initiatives across the organization.

Tell us about the bank’s community investment efforts.

Progressive Ozark makes a lasting impact with our community investment. We have specific line items in our budgeting for community, school and charitable spending, but beyond that, we have a Giving Mission to guide investment decisions. This mission covers monetary funding but also boots-on-the-ground initiatives such as financial reality fairs in local high schools, financial literacy programs in middle and elementary schools, senior citizen-focused initiatives, employee volunteer hours and so much more. It’s really too much to list, and we add something nearly every year! 

What is the bank’s biggest challenge in the area of internet banking/mobile banking?

From a product standpoint, I don’t know that we have notable challenges in online or mobile banking. As a marketer, I’d like our platforms to have a bit more polished look as opposed to the simple formatting we have, but the capabilities and ease of use for customers are leading the competition. No complaints there.

I think, from a technology or digital banking standpoint, the biggest challenge is the sector itself. The pace at which technology is expanding in this industry alone is astounding. Just to be aware of what’s available is a challenge, and then you have to assess potential alignment with your brand, customers and bottom line. If technology enhancement isn’t stressing you a little right now, I’m not sure you’re paying attention. That said, I think there are answers on the horizon to meet the questions we have right now at our institution. The one good thing about the rapid expansion of technology today is that the kinks are being worked through more quickly, and that could provide a lot more clarity and opportunity in the near future.

What’s your favorite thing about your bank/banking in general?

I think my favorite thing about Progressive Ozark is our culture and how protective everyone is of it! It probably sounds like a strange answer, but to get a group of more than 50 people who are all generally good people who want to do a good job and work for a good bank is pretty amazing. From your first day of work here, you’re “in”; if you’re on our team, you’re in the circle of trust, and you’re one of us. Everyone is very welcoming. That said, it can be obvious if someone doesn’t align with the culture, which might tend toward some challenges, but this is a group who really tries to get everyone rowing in the same direction. They want to see you fit and enjoy your role and be successful; I don’t only mean leadership, but just as much with our personal bankers and tellers. Sometimes we joke that we have “first-world drama” instead of the “real” drama in other companies because most of the issues that come up in our organization are less real issues and more accurately would be described as just navigating the best options for a solution. I’m very thankful.

If you didn’t have a career in banking, what other career would you choose?

In a perfect world, our ranch would be my full-time job. My marketing degree has an agriculture emphasis; I’m a sixth-generation rancher, and our operation is on a property that’s been in my dad’s family for 150 years this year. I love a lot of what’s been happening in agri-tourism and local food sourcing over the last few years, so it would be great to dedicate a full 40-hour week to something along those lines. Other than bank marketing, I can only see myself on the ranch.