Lou Whiteman
Lou Whiteman is a freelance writer based in Atlanta. He worked for The Deal for nearly two decades, and, prior to that, covered community and regional banks for American Banker.
Lou Whiteman is a freelance writer based in Atlanta. He worked for The Deal for nearly two decades, and, prior to that, covered community and regional banks for American Banker.
Most banks have an array of charitable endeavors designed to get workers involved. But the ones on our Best Banks list have built an emotional connection with employees
As Synovus brought all of its 28 banks under the same name and logo, management made sure employees were well informed and comfortable with the changes.
For each of the last three years, Choice Financial has unveiled an elaborate practical joke on April 1 as part of a quirky marketing campaign.
Every year communities are hit by hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and other disasters. These banks have found novel ways to take care of customers and employees in those emergencies.
Judy Long, president of First Citizens National Bank in Dyersburg, Tenn., launched the Smart Women financial literacy program after seeing female customers struggle with managing their finances.
Chip Mahan, founder of Live Oak Bank, believes that if employees have their needs outside work met, they will work better with customers.
Michael Towbes, the owner of Montecito Bank & Trust who passed away last year, launched a program in 2003 that gives $1 million away to charities each year.
Oakworth Capital Bank, which topped our "Best Banks" list this year, takes a broad view of wellness by providing employees with free healthy snacks and classes on time management.
Inspired by the book "How Fargo of You," Bell Bank has an awards program that recognizes employees with a talent for the little touches that matter to customers.
Employees at First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Pascagoula-Moss Point love to eat, so much so that they started raising money for charity by selling lunches.