Independent Banker - July 2019 - 57

Banks in smaller markets are also recruiting people from
other sectors, such as the retail and hospitality industries,
whose workers have been trained to focus on good
customer service, Branthover says. " They are also training
existing employees in new skill sets to put them in different
roles, " she says. " Banks don't always have job candidates
available for every job, so it's more about, 'How can we
keep employees by retraining them?' "
Strategies for banks in competitive
metropolitan areas
The recruitment challenges can be vastly different in
extremely competitive banking markets, such as the DallasFort
Worth, Texas, area. Many corporations have chosen
to relocate there because of its business-friendly nature,
robust economy and lack of state income tax, according
to Susan Fishlock, a managing director and partner
who handles the banking practice of Kaye/Bassman
International Corp. in Plano, Texas.
Fishlock places executives, senior- and mid-level
individuals in the commercial banking arena from time
to time. " I recently received a call from a senior-level
individual from one of the big banks who expressed
interest in looking at opportunities at a smaller
organization, " she says. " The candidate has been with his
bank for almost 20 years. He is very well-liked within the
bank, is not a job hopper and makes a very nice income.
He told me he wanted to make a move for quality-of-life
issues, and he is willing to take less in compensation for
the right fit. "
Fishlock's community bank clients prefer candidates who
have been trained at larger banks, particularly those who
have been through a formal credit training program.
" I place a number of experienced commercial lenders,
and my bank clients require those candidates to be
well-trained in credit and have a portfolio of clients or
significant contacts in the market so they can hit the
ground running, " she adds.
In this competitive market, banks are developing more
defined career paths to attract junior candidates, Fishlock
says. Some community banks have created additional
roles as stepping stones to higher roles. For example, some
banks are adding more portfolio manager positions.
" This might be the next logical step for a senior credit
analyst, which eventually could lead to a lending role, " she
says. " We are also seeing new positions created for those
individuals who prefer to stay on the credit side, aspiring
to one day become a senior credit officer or chief credit
officer for a bank. "
Banks also have had to " come to grips " with some of the
rising compensation packages in the market because of
supply and demand, she says. This is true not only for base
salaries, but for overall compensation packages as well.
" Many banks have revamped their bonus programs, "
Fishlock says. " For instance, in the past, junior-level
analysts at a number of banks were not eligible for an
annual bonus, but now they are. "
Some community banks also offer signing bonuses,
first-year guaranteed bonuses and partial tuition
reimbursement for candidates pursuing an MBA, she
says. Community banks are also evaluating their benefit
programs, like medical and 401(k) plans, to enhance their
competitive edge.
Work, play, learn and care
" Community banks view themselves as having a more
intimate and family-oriented environment, and potential
candidates, like moms with young children, are drawn
to this, " Fishlock says. " This may include flextime or
the ability to work at home when the need arises. Other
benefits include life insurance and long-term disability at
no cost. "
Candidates are attracted to banks with great cultures, she
adds. In addition to providing a good working environment,
some banks offer opportunities to participate in a variety
of community projects or mission trips to developing
countries. " This is particularly attractive to many younger
candidates, particularly millennials, an idealistic and
altruistic generation who are passionate about social causes
that benefit the social good, " Fishlock says.
Getting known as one of the best places to work for in
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