Independent Banker - December 2022 - 48

MORE THAN $1B
CFSB: A TRUE CULTURE OF CARING
BY JUDITH SEARS
culture of service and caring
distinguishes Community
Financial Services Bank (CFSB),
according to Jason Jones, president
of the $1.4 billion-asset community
bank. " What makes us diff erent
is that we do truly care about our
bank, our clients, our team and our
stockholders, " he explains. " Culture
for us is not just a noun; it's a verb.
It's what we do. "
To cultivate a culture of caring,
CFSB leaders emphasize frequent
and transparent communication
throughout the Benton, Ky., bank's
eight locations and among its
270 employees. " It's a defi ned
communication strategy to keep
A
everyone in the loop, " says Allen
Waddell, senior VP and assistant
HR director. " Information is shared
across the bank, whether it's our
fi nancials, strategic opportunities or
vision for the future. That extra eff ort
to make sure everybody's on board
really sets CFSB apart. "
Team connections
Jones and Michael Radcliff e,
who is chairman, CEO and chief
credit offi cer, alternate creating
weekly videos with news about the
community bank that they email to all
team members. CFSB team members
can submit questions anonymously
about any concerns, and Radcliff e
Training cultural specialists
CFSB's Specialist Program is one way the bank circulates its
cultural values. Over 12 months, selected team members
shadow every department in the bank for a half day, once a month. Selfstudy
guides and monthly meetings guide participants' experience.
Jason Jones, president of the Benton, Ky.-based community bank,
believes the program has had several good outcomes. Team members
gain a more comprehensive view of the bank and an appreciation for
diff erent responsibilities. They also get the opportunity to mix with
team members from diff erent departments. Some participants discover
new areas of interest.
The CFSB Specialist Program participants update the self-study
department guides each year, ensuring the information is up to date
and providing an invaluable feedback loop for management. " It helps
us to be in touch, " Jones says. " It creates teams where people want to
be where they are. It's a win-win for team members and the bank. "
Community Financial
Services Bank
Benton, Ky.
Assets: $1.4 billion
yourlifeyourbank.com
and Jones will respond to them on the
videos. " We emphasize the ability to
talk openly, " Jones says. " We are as
transparent as we can be. "
CFSB's 55 team leaders meet
monthly to take a deeper dive into bank
accomplishments, project updates and
current fi nancial information. These
meetings also provide training in
specifi c leadership topics.
At the individual level, each team
leader plans monthly meetings with
each of their direct reports. These
brief one-on-one meetings give team
members an opportunity to talk with
their team leader about anything of
concern or interest to them. " People
feel more comfortable in their own
space, " Jones observes. " If you put
them in a more comfortable position
where they know you on a more
personal level, it allows them to be
more honest. "
A robust set of employee benefi ts
further underscores the CFSB culture
of caring. The bank pays 100% health
and dental and has generous paid
time off policies. CFSB also fully funds
44 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q December 2022
http://www.yourlifeyourbank.com
Independent Banker - December 2022

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