wOMEN OF “visiON” OFFER CustOMERs a NEw stYLE OF baNkiNg

Dan Carey’s “VISION” and career-long dream was to start a new bank from scratch, to build it one account at a time and create an organization that was truly unique. To accomplish this dream, Carey knew he had to assemble a talented and dedicated team of professionals to carry out this mission. Ten short years later, VISIONBank is a thriving $140,000,000 community bank that has received an award from the Small Business Administration for three straight years for being one of the top lending institutions in North Dakota supporting small business. “We can identify with small business owners because we started our bank like other small businesses ten years ago – we are just regular people trying to provide exceptional service and advice to our clients,” said Carey. “Our combined management team has over 100 years of banking experience.”

“We did not want to be a library bank,” said Brenda Jacobson, Vice President/RealEstate. “Our goal is for people to feel comfortable coming into our bank.” Jacobson is one of the 35 female employees at VISIONBank, and one of six in management, leaving the seven men — three of them managers — in the minority. The atmosphere of the bank reflects a homey, living room style featuring an inviting fireplace by the main entrance, a grand piano, a fresh pot of coffee and a refrigerator stocked with refreshments for the clients. And there are frequent barbeques on Fridays throughout the year. “We want the bank to cater to our clients, to make them feel at home.”

Although atmosphere and refreshments are notable, what really makes VISIONBank stand out is the way they treat their clients. “It’s pretty rare that people walk in and I don’t know their name,” said Jennifer Arends, Client Service Representative. Arends is the first smiling face visitors will encounter at the bank located at 3000 25th Street South, Fargo and her goal is to make sure they want to come back. Arends is also the “Voice of VISION” when clients call the bank. In addition to the 25th Street branch, there is another branch located at 1321 21st Avenue North in Fargo.

“Although we aren’t a large, regional bank, it does not mean we lack the products, services and experience that clients are looking for,” said Kelli Simonson, Senior Vice President/CFO. “We are full service and compete well with all the big banks with similar products and services. We have a wide range of clients, large and small, and they are pleasantly impressed with the handson service.”

The best testament that this friendly, locally-owned bank can get the job done comes from their clients. Even in an age when privacy is closely guarded, clients like Carol Widman Kennedy, owner of Carol Widman’s Candy Co., was eager to offer her experience and long time relationship with VISIONBank.

“ The service is outstanding and the team at VISIONBank prides themselves at doing the best job they can for each and every customer – I have been with them since their inception and I wouldn’t think of leaving.” Widman Kennedy continues, “The care and respect they show their customers is refreshing and reminiscent of small town banking the way it used to be.” “There isn’t a better compliment than having another client refer someone to us,” said Amy Otterson, Vice President/

Commercial Lending/ Human Resources. “We’ve built so much of our business based on referrals.”

The strong level of client service at VISIONBank appears to be a direct result of a positive work environment and a culture that puts client satisfaction at the top with employee satisfaction a close second. “There is a strong commitment from the Board and senior management to take care of employees as well as their families,” said Otterson.

“We’re all working parents trying to juggle it all just like everyone else does,” says Tammy Askew, Vice President/North Bank Manager.

They may be the only bank in town that has a resident dog as well. Scout, a two year old black lab, actually belongs to Carey, President of VISIONBank. Scout has been coming to work at the bank since she was a puppy and she can be tracked on Facebook and has her own tab on VISIONBank’s website. Scout is just one of the staff and has regular visitors who stop in to see her. She was even photographed for an upcoming issue of American Banker Magazine. “She’s up-staged us all,” Simonson said.

V ISIONBank will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary on April 21st, and the staff is busy planning events that will mark the occasion. Go to www.visionbanks.com for more information on their products, services and upcoming events. [AWM]