Jill Castilla is growing her main bank – and its remote affiliate.
Citizens Bank of Edmond's asset size grew 13% year-over-year in 2021 to $370 million. The suburban Oklahoma City-based bank racked up 850 loans totaling $130 million last year.
Castilla is also growing Midtown Bank, a 24-hour-a-day interactive teller machine in downtown Oklahoma City that lets customers talk remotely to bank personnel. The facility originated 86 loans in 2021 and 2020 for a total balance of $87 million, in the process generating Citizens a 5.7-times return on investment.
Castilla became Citizens' president and CEO in 2014. Over the years, she has increasingly stepped into the roles of leading female CEO and community bank role model.
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors expanded last year the definition of minority-owned banking institutions to include woman-owned banks. Citizens is one of just14 banks to have received the women-owned depository designation. The honor includes training and education programs, plus help regarding cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.
"I was shocked to see that we were just the 14th bank," Castilla said. "But I do think that expanding the definition can increase the number of women-owned depository institutions."
In January, the Federal Reserve appointed Castilla to serve on its 12-member Federal Advisory Council, a panel of bank industry leaders. Castilla will contribute observations on the Oklahoma labor market and business climate.
"I hope that I'm adding a little color to their data," Castilla said.
Besides representing Great Plains state business interests in Washington, Castilla has boosted local business through leasing storefront space. Over the last two years, 50 small businesses have used Citizens' property as retail space, as part of a partnership between the bank and the Independent Shopkeepers Association.
Outside of work, Castilla's community ties are deepened by her military background. Every adult member of her immediate family including herself is a veteran or is currently serving in the armed forces. And Castilla is a volunteer civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, a position that involves supporting local recruitment efforts and enhancing relations between the Army and local community.
