What organizational accomplishment are you most proud of this year?
2023 was a very exciting year at Evans Bank in Rochester. We successfully built out our C&I team with the addition of three senior commercial relationship managers who are fully integrated into the local fabric of Evans Bank. This in itself was a great accomplishment for Evans, but in my opinion the accomplishment I am most proud of is the way all of our associates -- be they in retail, consumer lending, commercial real estate or C&I -- have come together and are moving toward the common goal of helping our communities and clients achieve their financial goals.
What are your expectations for the banking and finance industry in Rochester over the next year?
I feel the banking and financing industry in Rochester will be exciting over the next 12 months. With the announced merger between Evans Bank and NBT, scheduled to close during the second quarter of 2025, Rochester will benefit from two strong, community-minded banks coming together. The growth plans for the Rochester MSA will provide a familiar banking partner with additional technology, capital and products to share with the market.
What have your clients been most concerned about this year?
As has been a common theme post-COVID, our clients express concern with regard to the cost of labor, energy and materials, which is leading them to try to more efficiently run their operations. While trying to develop these efficiencies, there is also a great concern around cybersecurity and financial fraud in general. Finally, a concern we hear in the market from prospective clients, in general, is access to capital and credit. This is where our clients benefit from working with Evans Bank as they have not experienced such a tightening and benefit from working with their relationship managers as advisors.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your industry?
Someone starting out in the industry should do so with eyes wide open. There are so many different facets to the banking industry that truly anyone can find a fit for their skillset and interests. Next, you should find a mentor. Be it a formal mentorship or simply someone you look up to and respect that is in the industry. It doesn't matter who you are, all of us have had a mentor that guided us through our careers, whether they knew it or not. Finally, take charge of your career. Take advantage of any training opportunities that are available to you and let people know what your career aspirations are and follow their recommendations for pathing to achieve your goals. You need to be your strongest advocate.
What book that you've read recently would you recommend to others and why?
Believe it or not, it is "Be Useful, Seven Tools for Life" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. This book lays out seven tools to inspire readers in pursuit of a meaningful life, through self-reflection, holding yourself accountable and giving back. Some might find it a bit much, given the author, but I am sure there is a little something in the book that will make everyone think a little bit about their individual paths.