Chapter 3
Always late, Alex sped to Show-Me Bank and proudly eyed the new bank sign and logo as she nearly rounded the corner on two wheels. As vice president of marketing, she had created the new name and pitched it to the board of directors who had approved her branding concept.
The new logo was more modern and larger than the former Community National Bank sign. Thrilled her boss and the board had accepted the new name, she virtually patted herself on the back. She loved her bank marketing job. Every day was different and consisted of meetings with sales representatives from radio and television stations, billboard companies, newspapers, trade shows, community leaders, and more. Thriving on variety and deadlines, Alex knew marketing was the perfect fit for her touch of OCD and perfectionism. She loved to sweat the details.
After she punched in the back door code, she chatted with two loan assistants who were making photocopies in the back room. As usual, Alex immediately made her way toward the upstairs coffee machine in the employee lounge. Occasionally she cursed the fact the coffee was too far away but other days she was happy for the exercise.
As she filled her cup to the brim, tellers plunked their time cards into the machine and then into their designated slots. Alex was salaried so she didn’t have to bother with that nonsense, which was a good thing since she rarely made it to work at 8 o’clock on the dot but it more than balanced out since she was often the last bank officer to leave at night. She searched the drawer for sweetener and creamer.
“Morning.”
Alex jumped as her boss reached across her to grab his favorite mug.
“You startled me. Morning, Jim.”
“I have exciting news for you today.”
Alex cocked her head. “Is that so? What?”
Jim Hooban, the bank president, scanned the room. “Not here. Meet me in my office in five minutes.”
Alex nodded, glugged half her coffee, and refilled her mug. She walked downstairs, scooted her purse underneath her desk, and grabbed a legal pad. As she crossed the lobby, she greeted New Accounts customers before she entered her boss’s expansive office. He still hadn’t made it back from the employee lounge—likely chatting with a loan officer—so she settled into a chair across from his desk and doodled on her pad.
After several minutes, she absentmindedly straightened her navy pinstripe suit and tugged at the collar of her ivory blouse. I wonder what the good news is. I hope Jim’s idea of good news and mine are the same. She balanced a legal pad on her lap and sipped lukewarm coffee as Jim walked inside. He took his time turning his computer on and scanning voicemail. Alex fidgeted and glanced at her watch. She wanted to remind him that he had said to be there in five minutes but didn’t dare. He was her boss. Besides, she was the one who was always late.
Finally, Jim cleared his throat. “Alex, after your presentation, including such great branding for our new bank name, the board met to discuss several options.” He grinned. “We’ve decided to expand.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Expand?”
“Yes. Build a new bank and possibly buy more community banks.”
Alex poised her pen to make notes. “Fantastic. Where?”
“We will eventually have two more branches, but for now, we’ve identified a busy intersection on the southwest side of town at the corner of Oak and Lynn.”
“That’s a great location near restaurants, gas stations, and a shopping strip.” She talked while she wrote. “It’ll be perfect for attracting new businesses.” Alex loved challenges. “When are you thinking about breaking ground?”
“Oh, that’ll be a few months. We’re working with the city on the egress right now. The left turn lane is tricky since there’s also a convenience store next door but I think we can convince city leaders that it’ll work just fine. I have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with our city attorney.”
“What can I do in the meantime?” Alex asked.
“Start preliminary planning for a grand opening. A huge, impressive grand opening. We’ll invite current customers, employees, board members, nearby business owners, the Chamber, and of course, hundreds of our new neighbors who live near Oak and Lynn. You can target that specific area, right?”
“Sure. That’s easy with direct mail. We can target specific zip codes, ages, even income ranges with demographics. If you want psychographics, I can determine—”
Jim held up his hand. “Don’t get too in the weeds with your marketing mumbo-jumbo.” He winked. “I know you’re on top of the ins and outs and I’m glad. I prefer to crunch the numbers.” He laughed. “For now, start the planning process. Think about the big picture. We have several hoops to jump through before we can break ground.”
“This sounds like a big project.” Alex rubbed her hands together. “I love challenges. I’ll put a committee together right away.”
Jim leaned back. His plush, tan leather chair creaked. “That’s another part of the good news. You won’t need a committee.”
Alex furrowed her brows. “I beg to differ, boss. With an event of this magnitude, it would be helpful to involve several employees. Besides, many of them will eventually relocate to that branch, won’t they? It would be beneficial if our bankers got familiar with the neighboring businesses and customers.” She tapped the pen on the paper wondering how he could argue with that logic and added one last punch. “Think of the hundreds, if not thousands, of potential customers we can contact before even breaking ground.” Satisfied she had made her case, Alex sat back and waited for his answer.
“Sure. Sure. At some point, you might need a committee but you won’t need their involvement. Not yet. I have a better idea.”
Alex couldn’t imagine what her boss was thinking. She crossed her arms. “I’m listening.”
“Hannah, come in.”