American Banker Magazine - September 2018

Best Banks to Work For

See the perks employees get at the 85 financial institutions that made our sixth annual Best Banks to Work For list.

Most banks have an array of charitable endeavors designed to get workers involved. But the ones on our Best Banks list have built an emotional connection with employees

From on-site clinics to 24-hour access to doctors, many of the 85 banks on our annual list provide unique health benefits to employees.

Many workers get extra days off to celebrate all kinds of things, from their birthdays to a good regulatory exam score, or as a reward for charitable giving and other community involvement.

Inspired by the book "How Fargo of You," Bell Bank has an awards program that recognizes employees with a talent for the little touches that matter to customers.

Oakworth Capital Bank, which topped our "Best Banks" list this year, takes a broad view of wellness by providing employees with free healthy snacks and classes on time management.

Michael Towbes, the owner of Montecito Bank & Trust who passed away last year, launched a program in 2003 that gives $1 million away to charities each year.

Chip Mahan, founder of Live Oak Bank, believes that if employees have their needs outside work met, they will work better with customers.

Judy Long, president of First Citizens National Bank in Dyersburg, Tenn., launched the Smart Women financial literacy program after seeing female customers struggle with managing their finances.

Savings Bank of Walpole loosened up internal policies that had limited body art and cellphone use, and it created the position of community engagement coordinator, to connect with younger workers.

Employees at First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Pascagoula-Moss Point love to eat, so much so that they started raising money for charity by selling lunches.

HomeTown Bank's decision to designate an employee to oversee its wellness efforts has revitalized the program, pushing it into new areas such as emotional intelligence and stress management.

Every year communities are hit by hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and other disasters. These banks have found novel ways to take care of customers and employees in those emergencies.

Last summer, the Wausau, Wis., bank combined two employee groups to form the ICEBreakers. Its mission is to support outstanding customer service and foster a positive workplace culture.

First Bank Financial Centre's Mark Mohr personalizes work anniversary cards by drawing sketches on them highlighting employees' interests.

A companywide survey at First National Bank Alaska found that employees wanted more training and development. This is how the bank responded.

Happy State Bank and others use rewards, rather than punishments, to encourage employees to stay vigilant and catch fraud and cybersecurity issues.

For each of the last three years, Choice Financial has unveiled an elaborate practical joke on April 1 as part of a quirky marketing campaign.

Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank has transformed its summer intern program so that it is more structured and attracts students who could see themselves staying in the industry.

The Best Banks to Work For study is a collaboration between American Banker and the Best Companies Group, which conducts extensive employee surveys and reviews employer reports on benefits and policies.

As Synovus brought all of its 28 banks under the same name and logo, management made sure employees were well informed and comfortable with the changes.