With the NFL playoffs and the Superbowl upon us, football has been on my mind. Watching a playoff game the other day, I couldn’t help but think about the many similarities that football and banking share, particularly at Avenue Bank.
Think about it, no matter the level at which you are playing, you play to be the best and you play to win. Your team has a common goal, to work together, grow together and ultimately compete for the championship…together. Sure the championship may come in different forms, in the NFL it’s a title and a trophy… for Avenue, it’s becoming the signature bank of Nashville.
Being a part of a championship team, while thrilling, certainly comes with its own set of challenges. Your offense is playing proactively, while your defense does its best to play reactively. The hope is to win the game using a good balance of both.
In both worlds, you’re not only playing for you, you’re playing for those raving fans…the fans that show up to every game, face painted, jersey donned, cheering for you when you win and supporting you with the same vigor when you don’t. Those raving fans are the ones that share your passion for your team, your culture, your traditions and your brand.
As I look ahead to another season with our Avenue Bank team, I’m excited for the prospect to compete, the challenge to stay agile and for the opportunity to keep ‘wowing’ our raving fans.
]]>When I became an Avenue Banker I was excited to have the opportunity to be out in the community, along with trying my skills in a business development role.
With this new opportunity came challenges, in particular the art of networking. I soon found myself at a business luncheon, took a deep breath and walked in feeling confident. I spotted a familiar face, struck up a conversation and mentioned that it was my first time attending this particular meeting. As I made my way through the room, I spoke to a few more people and thought, “I’ll just find a seat at any table.” I was wrong. To my surprise, all the seats were filled or reserved.
Each time I asked to join a table I was told, “This seat is taken”. Then, I was the lone person standing in a room of 400 seated professionals. It was like a game of musical chairs, and I was the one left standing! I felt like all eyes were on me and it took everything in me to stay for the luncheon. I ended up sitting at a table for ten, alone…not a great introduction to this thing called “networking”.
I told my dad this story shortly afterward, and he gave me some advice; he said “always know where your seat is!” He praised me and said “you stayed, you faced the uncomfortable.” My dad was right. Although the experience was jolting, I learned a great lesson and surprised myself by sticking it out.
I share this story to encourage others who may be hesitant about networking. It’s not always easy, but the reward is in the relationships you forge. Case in point, shortly after what I now jokingly call “the lonely luncheon,” I was invited to attend a business mixer. As I perused the crowd, I heard someone say, “Hey Jessica!” I turned around to find someone greeting me with open arms!
I continued to attend various events around town and it wasn’t long before I knew a few people whenever I entered a room. I no longer felt like that kid searching for a seat at the lunch table.
Networking is now something I actually look forward to. While the key to each person’s success may be different, I found mine in my ability to stay confident . . . even in those situations where I may not know exactly where my seat is.
]]>Avenue Bank recently participated in the annual Metro Nashville Public Schools Career Exploration Fair.
This event is an opportunity for more than 5,000 metro high school freshmen to meet representatives from over 100 companies in and around Nashville, and learn about career options and opportunities that exist in their specific industry and company.
This is not a job fair; rather it’s a chance for the students to learn about different career fields and how they fit in these companies. For example, at Avenue Bank, in addition to banker roles we have operations support, marketing, HR, IT, training and development, and more.
This year’s fair was better than ever. The students were professionally dressed in suits and ties, had resumes prepared and came ready to ask great questions. We had the chance to answer all kinds of questions about banking and the career options they might consider.
Some companies really brought their booth to life; an engineering company had a remote control robot, and Bridgestone had a video game that simulated driving.
This effort is just one way that Metro High Schools are engaged in developing a strong workforce of the future.
I honestly can’t think of anything more important to our community than helping to ensure that future generations of Nashvillians are well educated and prepared to join the workforce. I can’t wait to go back next year!
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One of my favorite local non-profit organizations is Second Harvest Food Bank, so I am excited that Avenue Bank is the primary collection point for Ms. Cheap’s annual Penny Drive to benefit Second Harvest.
The reason that I’m so drawn to this organization’s mission of feeding hungry families is that my family gathered often around food -- it was and still is central to all our celebrations. Growing up, we sat around the dinner table every night, and actually talked to each other! And most Sundays you’d find us at my grandmother’s for a traditional southern spread that she somehow delivered single-handedly from a tiny kitchen! Birthdays, holidays, and even times of mourning, somehow food was always central to our gathering.
I carry on those traditions today, with my family and friends, sharing our love of food, and showing our love through food.
But, for many people, food does not represent a celebration or joy. For too many in our own community, having enough food to survive is a very real challenge.
Supporting the mission of Second Harvest might be the next best thing to actually cooking for a hungry family, or breaking bread with someone in need. And, since more than 213,000 people receive emergency food assistance annually from Second Harvest, I know that working through them will have far-reaching impact.
Amazingly, the donation of $1 can provide 4 meals! (Try to take a dollar to the grocery store and feed 4 people!)
So, if you want to make a dollar stretch farther than you thought possible, save your pennies – and your nickels, dimes and quarters, too – and bring them to Avenue Bank during November, December or January. And, if you want to have a collection can at your home or office, just pick one of those up at any Avenue Bank branch and return it at the end of January with your spare change.
You’ll make a real difference to a family in need.
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As uncertainty fuels turmoil in the stock market, I have been asked by clients, friends and business associates about the safety and security of banks and their deposits. These questions and concerns are certainly understandable, but let me reassure you that the banking industry and deposits held in FDIC insured accounts are safe.
Two important things to know, as the economic crisis swirls around us:
What can you do in these uncertain economic times?
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“Wow” is a very important word at Avenue Bank.
Each week in our all-employee meeting we call “Family Gathering” we talk about “Wow” stories from the past week. The meeting room is always full and overflows into the entrance area. In that meeting, stories are spontaneously shared where one of our team members has created a client experience that elicits that proverbial "WOW" response.
These stories may be told by a co-worker or manager, and often are read from a note or email sent by a client describing a wonderful experience or a positive impression that one or more of our associates has created.
Recently, I was reflecting on why these stories are so important and I came to the realization that they really mean everything to us.
The truth is, banking products and services are a commodity, with slight variations from one company to another. That’s why we built our bank on service. We understand the real differentiator is how we make our clients feel when we serve them. As the saying goes, “they may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.
There is nothing more rewarding for us than to create an experience and feeling in a client or soon-to-be client, where that individual is compelled to say, “Wow! That just makes our day.
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Online/electronic fraud is the fastest growing type of security threat worldwide today. Often, victims unwittingly provide the very information or access that these criminals need to perpetuate their crimes. While fraudsters will continue to evolve and design new security threats, there are some very simple tips that can help you avoid most risks.
So, if fraud comes knocking, don’t be an accomplice – remember these simple tips to protect yourself and your financial accounts. The time you take to think, ask questions, and verify can be the best investment you make in your financial security.
]]>First published as a guest column in the Nashville Business Journal January 28, 2011 edition.
With Music & Entertainment being one of the key industries in Nashville, it is no surprise that banks offer specialized services for this industry – but what does that really mean?
Do bankers in Nashville trade their pinstripes for sequined suits? Do they wear cowboy boots and join in jam sessions?
Well, not necessarily, but relationships are vitally important to success in our business, and bankers are at their best when they are part of an artist’s or songwriter’s support team that often includes an agent, manager, accountant, and an attorney, among others. Understanding the various roles of the players on these teams, and developing trusting relationships with the client’s best interests at heart, is an absolute requirement to a banker working in this particular industry.
The products and services offered to music clients are generally the same as other consumer or business clients –home mortgages, working capital lines of credit, checking accounts and business loans. But, there are some significant differences.
One of the biggest is having an understanding and appreciation for the value of the collateral that secures any credit. In the entertainment industry, collateral is often based on ‘intellectual property’ rather than more tangible assets that banks typically prefer. A bank’s credit underwriting team must be able to assess these intangible values in order to evaluate the risk and reward proposition of what the customer is requesting.
Also, the cash flow for performing artists and musicians can vary wildly and don’t fit a traditional ‘monthly income’ model. For example, the year an artist spends working on an album may actually yield little or no income, but time on the road performing – selling tickets and merchandise - can be very lucrative. For songwriters, there is a lag between writing a song, having it recorded and actually receiving royalties. This waiting time can easily be a year or more. Bankers must understand the revenue cycles of this industry and be able to help manage those income streams.
Finally, throw those traditional ‘banker’s hours’ out the window. A music industry banker is expected to be available 24/7 because artists don’t keep standard office hours and often work out of town. And if corporate business gets done on the golf course, music industry business gets done in clubs and performance venues. Plus, there are after hours industry functions, awards shows, and fundraisers to attend.
And, yes, sometimes I put on my boots, grab my banjo and join in a jam session. There’s no better way to end my day . . . even if it is after office hours.
Ron Cox is a Senior Vice President and Private Client Banker with Avenue Bank’s Music & Entertainment Group. He also plays banjo and is a member of The Hummingbirds, Avenue Bank’s corporate band.
]]>I have the most amazing job in Nashville.
The CEO of the company introduces me as “the gift that he gives each of his employees to assist them in unlocking their greatest potential.”
Now, how great is that?
So who am I, and what do I do? I am Judith Locke, and I’m the Executive Coach at Avenue Bank.
At Avenue Bank “this difference IS real.” It is about having the right people in the right jobs and then providing these people with the support and resources to be the best that they can be. Providing associates with an executive coach is one of our company’s differentiating factors!
Many people are not familiar with “executive coaching”, but it is one of the leading tools that successful people use to live extraordinary lives both at work and at home. At Avenue Bank, as a part of the human resource group, I work with associates to help them identify their challenges and their priorities and to align their thoughts, words, and actions accordingly. It’s about gaining clarity on values, enabling more meaningful choices and taking more purposeful and consistent actions. Coaching is about getting to know yourself anew – a commitment to self that offers a means for balance, opportunity, success, energy, focus, and action in every area of your life.
Executive Coaching at Avenue Bank is a process – a relationship. It has a beginning, sometimes a messy middle, and eventually a closure and celebration of a new beginning. The associates at Avenue Bank have one thing in common: they are successful (we hire only the best), resourceful, and intelligent individuals who want to get more out of their lives – especially at work!
Executive Coaching enables each person to be their best, so that our company can be the best. And I love being a part of that.
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Watching Oscar-nominated films has been my hobby for 15 years, and it’s one I think others would enjoy for many reasons. First: a good movie is almost guaranteed, making the expense of tickets more justifiable. Second: deciding what to see is easy -- a list is provided to you each January. Third: when a category has been completed, it’s fair game to second-guess the winning selections. Fourth: it can provide year-round entertainment.
Taking up this hobby is easy. Each January, www.oscars.com will provide a printable ballot suitable for easy reference or downloading. New rules provide for ten Best Picture nominations beginning this year, along with five nominations each for the five other major categories: Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress. Allowing for some films to garner multiple nominations across categories, to see all the nominated films will likely involve viewing about twenty films. To add Best Foreign Language film, Best (feature length) Documentary film and all non-short film nominees, typically adds another fifteen to twenty films. (Beginners may need to work up to these expanded categories after training!)
Think you don’t have time for all these movies? Just consider the amount of pseudo- reality television that can be sacrificed and replaced with artistic and oftentimes intellectually stimulating entertainment.
Real commitment requires being agreeable to watching all types of movies: dramas, tragedies, comedies, “chick-flik” romances, westerns, biographies and independent films. If you have someone to join you, discussing and debating the films adds to the fun.
I hope you’ll join me in anticipation of the announcement of my “entertainment game plan” for 2010, and I’ll look for you at the theater.
Grab your popcorn and get started, and you’ll never be without a conversational topic again. “Seen any good movies lately?”
]]>Some people are surprised to hear that I started a bicycle courier company in Nashville, since we are not known as a ‘cycling city’ like Portland, Boston, New York, etc. Our motorists are still learning to embrace sharing the road with cyclists, but I get to be an advocate for cycling every day. Green Fleet helps businesses reduce their costs, become more environmentally friendly, and gives businesses a tangible reason to support bicycles as a viable transportation alternative.
I typically cycle 150 - 200 miles a week for work, and I stop by Avenue Bank between deliveries when I have business deposits. I’m a small customer for Avenue, but from the very beginning they’ve believed in my business.
The people at Avenue understand what it is like to start a business because they have done the same thing. Their business model is focused on their customers - even if it’s just a guy with an idea and a bicycle.
I like to tell people where to bicycle in Nashville, but I like to tell people where they should bank just as much.
The people at Avenue Bank are helping my company make a difference in Nashville, and they can help you too – their philosophy is to do everything they can to help you succeed. And they are one of the reasons that we are finding success.
Tell ‘em that Green Fleet sent you!
greenfleetmessengers@gmail.com
This blog was submitted by Austin at Green Fleet Messengers.
]]>In early March I read a story in The Tennessean about a group of people in East Nashville who were collecting aluminum cans for a man named “Bill” who sells the cans for his livelihood. I was very touched by this story. It gave me an idea of a small way to help an individual and our environment at the same time – and it costs us nothing but a little thought and effort.
I’m a pretty avid environmentalist and already recycle as much as possible at home. But by adding Bill as the “middle-man” I saw that more good could come from my efforts. In order to multiply this opportunity, I shared the story with my co-workers at Avenue Bank and asked for their help in collecting cans at our office.
The cans quickly added up and soon I had two large bags full of cans, about 20 pounds!
Last week I made the first drop-off of aluminum cans to the “I Dream of Weenie” hot dog stand on Woodland Street, one of a few spots where Bill picks up cans for recycling. The lady that took them from me was very excited. She said, “Bill will be here tomorrow for his pick-up. He will be very grateful. He is the kindest and most grateful person in the world!”
The article that brought this opportunity to my attention was entitled “Small deeds make a big difference.” How true this is. I know that through this effort a very small contribution was made to the independence of another human being.
So I’ll keep collecting cans for Bill, a guy who wants a hand up and not a hand out.
]]>I guess I’ve waited for this moment my whole life. This weekend I’ll be singing backup in a band . . . not many bank CFOs can say that.
When I was a little girl growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, I wanted to be famous. I loved music and I loved performing. Cher was my idol. Through the years I dabbled in piano, guitar, flute and even played oboe in the junior high band, took voice lessons and performed in school theatre productions.
I made my way from Cincinnati to Ball State University in Indiana, majoring in Theatre, but the social aspects of sorority combined with the reality of planning a future with the man who became my husband drew me down a different -- more practical -- path.
That’s how my dreams of life in the spotlight did an about face and I became an accountant, got my CPA license and began my career in banking. Performing was relegated to the church choir and occasional skits, acceptable hobbies for a banker.
Then, a couple of decades later, I made my way to Nashville to start Avenue Bank. Wow, now I’m a banker in Music City USA! I’m in heaven, enjoying all the music and awards shows and even having celebrities as clients!
Fast forward to February 2009. Reality check: I am a bank CFO during a national economic crisis, and the banking industry is being shaken to its core. So maybe it’s not exactly logical that, at this point, Avenue Bank decided to start a band!!!
When we learned that the Arts and Business Council of Middle Tennessee was having a Corporate Band Challenge, we decided to jump right in. Our bank is not only lucky enough to have a talented group of experienced, energetic, passionate and just plain fun-to-be-around bankers but we’ve also got several extremely talented musicians among them.
I’m out of my league when it comes to music in this city and also at this bank, because our Avenue bankers are seriously talented. (I guess I’m ok with using my CFO position to get me a spot in the band as a back-up singer.) Our band quickly came together, and we began practices a few weeks before the competition at one of our branch locations.
We’ve got CEO Ron Samuels on guitar, SVP and head of our Music & Entertainment Banking group, Ron Cox, on the banjo, Chief Deposit Officer Tim Bewley on drums, Kevin Mills – Bank Security Director on lead vocals, Concierge Banker (and new mom!) Heather Redmond also on lead vocals, and Private Banking Assistant Holli Ewing on bass guitar. We also enlisted Holli’s sisters Amy and Kelly and friend Layton to fill in the gaps for us.
Our first performance was at the Tin Roof on Demonbreun for the preliminary contest round. The entire bank came out to support us that night and we gave it our banker best and had a blast!
We were thrilled to make it to the FINAL round of the Band Challenge which is Sunday March 15, 2009 – 6 p.m. at Massey Performing Arts Center, Belmont University. And that’s how a CFO gets to say: “I’m in a band in Nashville, Tennessee!!!”
Living out my fantasy may only last a brief time, but the memories will be forever.
The tagline of Avenue Bank is “the difference is REAL”. But I’m proposing a revision to that tag line:
At Avenue Bank, the difference is real . . . and WE ROCK!!!!
Editors Note: The Hummingbirds took second place in the inaugural Music City Corporate Band Challenge on Sunday, March 15th.
]]>It’s that time of year... when we toast the New Year, wish each other happiness, and (some of us) vow to make positive changes in our lives!
We’d like to share some resolutions of a few Avenue team members, giving you a glimpse into what we’re thinking and talking about at the start of ’09. And, we’ll also take the liberty of suggesting a few financially-oriented resolutions for your consideration.
To share your resolutions with us, just “comment” below.
Our Resolutions (some are lofty, some are entertaining):
From soon-to-be-new-mom, H.R.: My New Year’s Resolution for 2009 is to be the best new mom that I can be... and to get my body back in shape!
From our coach, J.L.: To become more educated about processed foods and preservatives, and return to more organic, healthful eating. (But still leave room for enjoying occasional craves!)
From T.B.: Read my Bible daily; work out 4 times a week; and be consistently focused every day at work and home to reach my goals.
From L.L.: Bring more levity to the workplace and encourage fun!
From A.C.: To get in an exercise routine!
From V.S.: To be a better person tomorrow than I was today, to work toward health, joy and financial independence for myself and others.
From K.C.: Wear my (UT) ORANGE jacket more often; play LOTS of golf and get to single digit handicap; continue finding ways to make memories with my two kids (now 25 and 17), create an environment for Avenue Bankers to be the best they can be; more random and anonymous acts of kindness; live more and love more.
From B.Z.: To continue working out at the gym with my co-workers who keep me accountable!
From J.R.: I am learning Spanish, along with my children. My goal is to be able to carry on a basic conversation in Spanish by the end of the year, and for my children to be able to identify objects in Spanish that they encounter in their everyday environment.
From L.M.: Make time for pleasure reading and volunteering... one thing for me and one for others!
And from our CEO: Focus on making Avenue Bank as successful as we can be in ’09; get back to the gym; play more golf; spend more time with my parents and my wife’s parents, as well as with our children and grandchildren; and finally, look up some old friends.
And in case you’re still looking for inspiration for YOUR resolutions, here are some financially- oriented suggestions you can take to heart:
Start off 2010 in a better financial position: tackle your debt with a manageable plan and ask a family member or friend to hold you accountable.
Review your credit report and correct any outdated information or inaccuracies; if necessary ask your banker how you can work to improve your score, which impacts your credit approvals and the interest rates you pay. www.annualcreditreport.com is the official site for consumers to get a free report each year.
Make or update your will and share your wishes with your family. At the same time, ensure that your insurance policies are current and meet your family’s changing needs, and double-check your policy beneficiaries including 401K, IRAs and investment accounts.
Teach your children the financial basics of “spending”, “saving”, and “sharing” by discussing your family’s budget, or guiding them through choices about their allowance. Information to help abounds on the Internet.
Review your full financial picture with a trusted financial advisor and ensure that you and your spouse both understand all your obligations and investments. (Don’t have an advisor? Ask your Avenue Banker how we can help!)
If you’re getting married in ’09... take a vow to start your relationship off right with classes or counseling on money management before you say “I do”! Bookstores and the internet are great resources for info.
Be smart about giving. Research non-profit organizations that you support to ensure that your contributions are used efficiently and effectively. Check out info on local organizations atwww.givingmatters.com
We wish you happiness and health in the new year!
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