2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition Journal

2023 COMMUNITY BANK CASE STUDY COMPETITION

lending. While experience in lending is rare from someone specializing in information technology, the perspective Freschi has is one that truly benefits the bank: I see both sides of banking, because of my experience. While I may not work with the bank customers every day, I see the staff as my customers, and I am here to serve them. I no longer work directly with a customer, but with my experience, I know how long a minute seems when a computer is down and there is a customer in front of you, so I do my best to make sure both the bank customer, and my customer, our staff, are satisfied and taken care of ( Davis & Freschi et al., personal communication, March 29, 2023). Part Three: Training and Technology Training for Staff & Senior Leaders A bank is only as successful as its employees and senior leaders, and all levels of employees require adequate training and development. At CBTC, training is vital to its successful operations, and this training is centered on ensuring the bank is successful and that employees are confident and prepared to work in their positions. The bank’s staff and senior leaders receive a significant amount of development through peer learning when working with other banks, other bank executive teams, and employees of CBTC. Additionally, staff and senior staff members are encouraged to attend peer-training seminars and classes to

banking. The need for properly trained staff, as well as a different generational makeup, is crucial in each branch to provide resources and knowledge that clients require. Brett Stoots provided valuable thoughts on the different needs each of the bank’s nine branches require. Union City and Paris branches require knowledge of agriculture while both Jackson and Memphis branches need small-business knowledge. Even with minimal banking experience, younger bankers can gain the knowledge required for success attributed to the many courses, seminars, and educational programs CBTC provides (Davis et al., personal communication, March 29, 2023). Scott Freschi, Chief Information Technology Officer, was a notable hire who represents the generational evolution of CBTC. Freschi, who has a 30-year career in banking, was brought to CBTC through a recruiting firm. Freschi has been with CBTC for almost five years and brings an interesting perspective, as he spent the first five years of his career working in At CBTC, training is vital to its successful operations, and this training is centered on ensuring the bank is successful and that employees are confident and prepared to work in their positions.

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