Independent Banker - December 2023 - 38

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$501M-$750M
CS BANK
EMPHASIZING FAMILY AND TEAM
BY DON SADLER
W
hen Mickey Belle Shields
Manley started working at
CS Bank as a 19‑year‑old teller,
she was shocked to find out that
one of the first people she would
meet during her orientation was
the bank's CEO, Charlie Cross.
" That really made me feel like I was
somebody special, " she says.
Manley is now the marketing
director for $530 million‑asset
CS Bank in Eureka Springs, Ark.
" There's a strong emphasis on
team and family here, which is one
of the things that makes CS Bank
a great place to work, " she says.
" Employees believe in our mission:
that we are founded on trust,
built on service and strengthened
by relationships. "
Another thing that has always
stuck with Manley was when a
board member she once met in
passing took the time to get to
know her. " Whenever I see him
now, he always remembers my
name and asks about the things we
talked about before, " she says. " I
Top tips for creating a great workplace
Some businesses look at continuing employee education as an
expense, but that's not how CS Bank CEO Charlie Cross sees it.
" Training and education is an investment in our bank and our
employees, " he says. " I believe it's a critical factor in creating a great
place to work. "
Marketing director Mickey Belle Shields Manley stresses the
importance of treating employees as valuable members of the team.
" You can give employees nice-sounding titles and fancy benefits, but
these are just the cherry on top, " she says. " Employees need to know
that they're valued-this is the main thing that keeps people here. "
know things aren't this way at every
bank, which is another reason why
working here is special. "
Though that board member, Col.
Dan Mumaugh, has since passed, CS
Bank's employees are forever grateful
to have experienced his leadership
and genuine ability to connect with
other people.
" A cool place to work with
cool people "
CS Bank
Eureka Springs, Ark.
Assets: $530 million
cs.bank
According to Cross, this is all part of
CS Bank's commitment to building a
strong workplace culture. " I'm a huge
believer in making this a great place
to work, " he says. " We all spend a lot
of time at work, so the bank should
be a cool place to work with cool
people. We're trying to make the
bank a joyful and invigorating place
for our employees so they're happy
coming to work each day. "
Mission accomplished. " CS Bank
is the best place to come to work
each day, " says deposit services
representative Breanna Buntjer,
" because no matter what else is going
on, you know you are surrounded by
people who support you and who will
lift you up. It's practically impossible
to have a bad day! "
IT support specialist Alex Batres
agrees: " While being a part of CS
Bank for the past six years, I've
met great people and made great
connections that have helped advance
my career and helped me better serve
my community. This is the major
reason I am blessed to work here. "
Cross stresses that it's the bank's
employees, not the executives, who
set the tone for the culture. " They're
the ones who interact with each other
38 // ICBA Independent Banker // December 2023
Independent Banker - December 2023

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