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Business dog using his computer in the office
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Best banks to woof for

Life is “ruff.” Pets can make it easier. Here is how some of American Banker's Best Banks to Work For accommodate their employees’ furry pals.
Lynsey Abraham-Level One-Dog Marco

Pet pride

Some banks, including Level One Bank and Bank of Ann Arbor, both in Michigan, host a “bring your dog to work” day each year. Level One CEO Patrick Fehring calls it his favorite perk. Fehring brings in Brutus, his 10-year-old Old English Sheepdog, who is “big and lovable."

"You learn about people and their families because it is a social day with lots of dogs in the bank,” Fehring said. “I am a dog lover.”

Pictured are Lynsey Abraham, a marketing associate at Level One, and her sidekick, Marco, at the office.

(Read more about Level One.)
Hometown Bank -- Bring Dog to Work Day

Now that's a health plan

HomeTown Bank in Roanoke, Va., steps up its “bring your dog to work” day by inviting a local veterinarian to conduct checkups.

(Hometown also made the 2016 Best Banks ranking.)
Benchmark Bank -- Dog at Work

Cats are welcome?

The Austin, Texas, branch of Benchmark Bank wins the inclusiveness award by making it “bring your pet to work” days. This fuzzy teller is ready to collaborate with any feline or ferret that reports for duty.

(Read more about Benchmark, which has been on the Best Banks list for three years, here and here.)
LiveOak.jpg

Doggie day care

Live Oak Bank in Wilmington, N.C., is puppy crazed. It has a dog park at its headquarters, so employees can drop off their dogs to play while in the office. Cameras allow employees to keep an eye on what's happening from their desks all day long. They can easily make sure Fido is behaving and that little Yorkie isn’t picking on him too much.

Live Oak also supports Paws4People, an organization that trains service dogs. The bank is an official training venue for the service dogs.

(Live Oak has topped the list of Best Banks to Work For for four consecutive years, You can read more about the bank from 2016 here, 2015 here and 2014 here.)
1st Security Bank dog

Happy to help

At 1st Security Bank of Washington, every day is “bring your dog to work” day at its headquarters in Mountlake Terrace. A 70-pound Golden Retriever named Thor is one of the good boys who comes to the office most days. Four to six dogs are said to be on the job on any given day. But everyone needs a break — there is a courtyard for the dogs to play, and the bank provides the waste bags.
Somerset Trust -- Dog fest

What a splash

Somerset Trust Co. in Pennsylvania celebrates National Pet Week by having employees submit photos (like the ones above) for a slideshow of pets. Employees get to vote for their favorite and the winner gets a gift card to the bank’s online store. The pet gets a treat too.

(Read more about Somerset here, here and here.)
Homebanc-SardinoFamily-081817

(Extended) family coverage

Chesapeake Bank in Virginia, HomeBanc in Florida and Signature Bank in New York offer pet insurance to their employees.

Pictured are Kelly, Brandon and Brian Sardino with their dogs Romeo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and Bailey (Mini Dachshund); Brian is HomeBanc's chief information officer.

(Read more about Chesapeake here and here, and more about HomeBanc here and here.)
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