Community Banking Stories #3: Employees & Culture

Every April, we celebrate Community Banking Month by publicizing the efforts that community banks make to serve the people and institutions around them. In our third of four articles for this year’s Community Banking Month series, we showcase community banks that are emphasizing their employees and culture.Bell Value Award Recognizes Unequaled Personal ServiceOne of the hallmarks of Bell Bank, which is headquartered in Fargo, ND, is its unequaled personal service. Each year, the bank recognizes and celebrates employees whose selfless actions represent one of its three core values — unequaled service, family atmosphere, and paying it forward — with the Bell Value Award.Lisa Wasson, vice president and branch manager of the Bell Bank branch in suburban Forest Lake, MN, won the 2024 Bell Value Award in the Unequaled Personal Service category. When Lisa learned that one of the branch’s first new customers had no family or close relatives nearby, she determined to win him over by letting him know he has a family at Bell Bank.Lisa not only points this customer in the right banking direction when needed, but she has also invited him to her home for meals with her family and remembers him during the holidays with a small gift or meal. After the customer totaled his car in an accident, Lisa gave him rides back to his apartment on cold days, helped him out with groceries from the local food shelf, and alerted him to a free senior shuttle service that allows him to get around town more easily each week. Lisa is now working with the customer to help replace his vehicle.Lisa is just one of many Bell Bank employees who embody caring and kindness. It’s clear that, as her colleague puts it, “Lisa has such a big heart.” Employee Resource Groups Raise Cultural AwarenessBeneficial State Bank is a certified B Corp bank and CDFI headquartered in Oakland, CA. Two years ago, the bank’s employees voted for and provided input on the formation of three Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): the Culture Council Employee Resource Group, the Black Employee Resource Group, and the Beneficial PRIDE Employee Resource Group. In addition, the bank began sponsoring two additional ERGs based on high levels of employee engagement and votes: the Latine Empowerment, Advancement & Development Group (L.E.A.D.) and the Women in Banking Group.Since they were formed, these ERGs have helped raise cultural awareness, foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment, reduce barriers to innovation, and establish deeper connections through meaningful dialogues around shared individual experiences.“Fun Fridays” and a Commitment to Work-Life BalanceLas Vegas, NV-based Lexicon Bank values its team members and fosters an inclusive culture that prioritizes relationships. By nurturing internal relationships, the bank creates a workplace where team members feel valued and engaged. One way the bank reinforces this culture is through “Fun Fridays” where they organize activities and provide food to celebrate the team and create time for colleagues to connect. When strong relationships are forged, more work gets accomplished, and the team thrives. The bank also supports team members’ professional growth through continuing education and unique opportunities like a book club, which fosters learning and personal development in a fun and engaging way. The bank’s executive management team and board of directors encourage team members to speak up and identify opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency. This culture of empowerment fosters a sense of ownership among team members and gives them greater control over their careers while reinforcing their investment in the bank’s success.Lexicon Bank is also committed to promoting a proper work-life balance, believing that a stronger community starts with a supported and fulfilled team. If a team member has an outside obligation, the bank encourages them to find a way to make it work. This flexibility builds trust and loyalty among team members, motivating them to work harder because they know they have the flexibility to balance their professional and personal commitments.The bank also rewards team members for going above and beyond the call of duty. When team members go the extra mile, they can be nominated for an “On the Spot” award. While these awards come with a monetary value, their true impact lies in how they are presented: The entire bank gathers in the lobby to publicly recognize the recipient, often in front of a lobby full of customers. This public acknowledgment reinforces the bank’s culture of excellence.We are honored to present the stories of these banks that are prioritizing their employees and culture. In our fourth and final Community Banking Month article next Thursday, we will focus on community banks that are supporting charitable initiatives and increasing financial literacy.