A Midwestern regional bank was seeking a new Head of Commercial Banking in order to evolve their regional banking model from a traditional community banking structure.
The CEO had 5 regional presidents reporting directly to him that were responsible for the entire bank in their regions, which was dominating his time administratively. Based on their aggressive growth plan, the Board decided to begin a search for a Head of Commercial Banking to lead the regional presidents, enhance the strategy and lead the tactical development of their go-to-market strategy and product offerings. This position was critical to the growth of their regional banking model, with an acute focus on well-capitalized banking, inclusive of wealth management and commercial banking.
The client needed an executive search firm with a deep specialization and understanding of the commercial banking leadership landscape, but it was critically important that the firm also had cultural expertise of the Midwest, and a network of talent either in the Midwest, or ready to relocate there.
SLATE was selected and retained to conduct the search over multiple large search firm competitors based on our financial services sector specialization coupled with our specific focus on working with clients in the Midwest and in smaller market cities.
“As we considered a search firm to hire, our board typically wanted to see the big, well known name recruiting firms…but instead of dealing with recruiters in New York who have never been here (or don’t want to be), we chose to hire SLATE because of their regional expertise and smaller market focus, and it was a huge success.”
Led by Managing Partner Matt Huffman, we tailored the search to provide a clear and complete picture of the commercial banking leadership talent landscape nationally, through our intel of executive talent based on years of relationship building. This specifically includes executives that we knew were open to relocating to the Midwest, and would thrive at the bank culturally based on our cultural assessment of the institution.
As Midwest natives, we know the culture from Omaha to Chicago to Cincinnati and use that knowledge to your benefit when placing executives in the right role.
Tell us what’s on your mind. We’ll use our extensive network and cutting-edge technology to find the best solution for you.
