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 NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS THE NEED "I'd just like to have some continuity with a banker." Every business is different. When a new banker is assigned to a company or professional firm, it takes time for that individual to gain the depth of knowledge of the business to become a valuable member of the team. Unfortunately, bankers serving local companies are often promoted or transferred before they can establish the intimate insights and trust they need to be an exceptional asset to their clients. A bank's clients shouldn't have to continuously retrain a new banker about their business. Further, you can't benefit from proactive suggestions and opportunities when you're continuously assigned a banker who can only react to your situations. THE SOLUTION Continuity is the keystone of our approach. The major reason why local companies have to endure such high turnover of bankers is that traditional banks are married to a firmly entrenched hierarchy. Bankers measure success by moving up the ladder. The Commerce Bank has adopted a completely different approach. From a client's perspective, results are far more important than titles. That's why we've eliminated the traditional banking hierarchy. Our organizational structure is flat, resembling more that of a professional partnership than a bank. Our bankers are measured by their performance for their clients. In fact, their compensation is based on their effectiveness at building and sustaining long-term, mutually profitable client relationships. THE NEED "We need a banker with a real-world perspective." Local companies need sophisticated financial advice and counsel. Often, they are presented with an exceptional opportunity or may confront problems that require more than an "off-the-shelf" solution. The kind of wisdom they need comes from years of day-to-day experiences. But many business and professional people have discovered that, because of rapid and continuous turnover, they often have a young and inexperienced banker. Recommendations from bankers with good track records have more credibility than those from bankers with less experience. THE SOLUTION "There's no substitute for experience." Our relationship managers are senior professionals with an average of 28 years experience in banking. Their rich backgrounds provide them with the real-world skills and sophistication to become valuable advisors to their clients. With special knowledge and insights, our relationship managers look beyond the obvious solutions that a less seasoned banker may suggest. Relationship managers know when to offer an innovative answer and also when to recommend a more conservative approach. THE NEED "It would mean a lot if my banker showed some genuine interest in my business." Many business and professional people rarely see their banker. They deserve better. Superior service is only possible when a genuine rapport and mutual understanding are established. But it's hard to get to know a client's business from a desk at the bank. It's even more difficult to develop the kind of insights where crucial financial recommendations can be considered with confidence. Trust doesn't grow from an occasional phone call. Trust develops from person-to-person contact. Business and professional people want their bankers to invest time with them. In their office. At the plant. Wherever it is they do business. THE SOLUTION Interest in your business is our business. At least one common trait is found in all our bankers: They all have a tradition of personal commitment to their clients. That dedication to winning the trust and confidence of clients is a requirement to be part of The Commerce Bank. Our bankers know that the way to become a trusted financial advisor is to show the client that they only make recommendations based on knowledge. Our bankers spend more time at their client's offices than in the bank. We're "on-site" bankers because only through a close relationship between the client and the banker can the banker understand the client's problems and opportunities. As a result, our bankers tailor solutions based on our in-depth knowledge of your business and our understanding of your unique needs. THE NEED "I need timely decisions from my bank." One of the most common complaints about banks is that they often take too long to respond to a banking need. Taking too long can mean a missed opportunity. Companies grow weary waiting while requests travel up and down through a series of committees-to be acted upon by people sometimes far removed and with no understanding of the business. Business and professional people need prompt decisions from their bank so they can get on with their business and capitalize on opportunities. THE SOLUTION Promptness is our highest priority. Our structure at The Commerce Bank assures a fast turnaround. We have no bureaucracy. As a locally managed bank, all the decisions are made here in Seattle by people you have direct access to and will get to know. Even more importantly, by giving our bankers responsibility for becoming intimately knowledgeable about your business, we're able to make much more accurate assessments of your banking requests. We employ only senior bankers who have the ability to play a major role in recommending the financial solutions you may need to pursue. This leads to an advocacy that contributes to the promptness of our response.
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