By Ali Shoup, Vice President, Core Bank
This is my “Welcome to Core Bank” blog. I’ve never written a blog, I’ve never been asked or had the opportunity. Why this matters… we’ll get to that in a minute.
I’ve been a Banker for twenty years this month.
I started my career with Mercantile Bank in 1998 at an in-store location. I was at that location for a little over two years and then moved into wealth management in September of 2000. I specifically remember the date because it was two weeks before my wedding. I don’t recommend a major career change right before you get married! You may not make the best impression on your new co-workers. (Although some of them are still of my dearest friends.)
As time went on, Mercantile merged into what is U.S. Bank today. I grew professionally, right along with the bank, and eventually found my love of helping small businesses grow and sometimes recover to prosper again. My focus was and still is on Professional Services.
After ten years with U.S. Bank, I joined Bank of Kansas City, a division of BOKF, N.A. I started with BoKC shortly after the first branch opened. I helped grow BOKC one client and business at a time, giving something of myself to each new client we brought on board. Still specializing in Professional Services, my portfolio grew beyond my wildest dreams.
Present day, after ten years with BOKC, it was time for a change. I started looking for a new job. And I was close to taking a position when I was introduced to Core Bank. I could tell Core Bank was going to be a great fit for me on a personal and professional level. I enjoy the team I get to work with, and it’s an exciting time because we’re in “startup” mode.
I feel like I matter to Core Bank. And that takes me back to the whole blogging concept. Blogging is a great way to let people know more about who we are and what we do. Traditionally, these kinds of stories are created by the marketing department or outsourced to an agency. But here at Core Bank, they understand that the people on the team and the relationships they create and maintain are where it all begins. So being asked to write my own blog isn’t just an awesome thing I get to do, it reflects the culture of the bank. And that’s why I am here.