Where is your main bank and branches located? What is the market like?
Our main bank and drive-up facility are in Cole Camp, Missouri. We also have a branch in Stover. We have a varied market including but not limited to agriculture, commercial, residential, vehicle and personal unsecured loans. We are located in a rural area and as such, much of our business is in the agricultural field.
What is something unique about your bank?
Our bank is unique in that we still have the small-town bank attitude. We know our customers and they know us. It is an honor to serve our customers, whether on the deposit or loan side of banking. It is a blessing to see them succeed in life, and being able to help them achieve their goals is our duty.
How did you get started in the banking business?
My start in the banking industry began 19 years ago with a job as a teller for Central Bank of Sedalia (then Third National Bank). I slowly worked my way through the different departments in order to learn all aspects of banking. At the time, I was working to get my degree in business management, accounting and economics, and it seemed like a good fit for me. Nine years ago, I was offered the wonderful opportunity to come home to the town that I grew up in and become a loan officer for The Citizens-Farmers Bank. Whether you would consider it a gift or a curse, my experience in compliance and BSA was instrumental to helping me become the banker I am now. Although I wear many hats, I would not change a thing.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned from this career so far?
The most important thing that I have learned in my banking career is that each and every day, no matter the workload, I get the opportunity to help people in my community achieve their goals in life.
Tell us about the bank’s community investment efforts.
Citizens-Farmers Bank prioritizes investment in the community. Whether volunteering at community events or making monetary donations to local schools or organizations, contributing to the communities is very important to us.
What is the bank’s biggest challenge in the area of internet banking/mobile banking?
Fraud is the bank’s biggest challenge. It has been a learning process, but we are blessed with a wonderful team of employees who know the red flags. The bank will always have bad actors, but we strive to educate our customers so they know how to keep their banking information safe.
What’s your favorite thing about your bank/banking in general?
Being able to build relationships is my favorite thing in banking. We are gifted with the ability to help customers achieve their dreams in life. Not only this, but the family atmosphere I have created with the employees of the bank is such a blessing. We definitely travel life together.
If you didn’t have a career in banking, what other career would you choose?
If I could choose a different career, I believe it would be construction. I have always enjoyed the building trades. My knowledge was greatly increased when we remodeled our home five years ago. The ability to build something of beauty is such a gift.
