ABA Banking Journal
No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive
SUBSCRIBE
ABA Banking Journal
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Community Banking

First—and Lasting—Impressions

October 27, 2016
Reading Time: 2 mins read

“We consider our executional excellence to be one of the attributes of our organization,” says Savarese, pictured here speaking to a customer at the opening of Cape Cod Five’s newest branch on Martha’s Vineyard. “Our customers are depending on us.”

By Dorothy Savarese

The first impression I had of banking—at least as an adult—came courtesy of my father. My parents had always stressed the importance of service to others, so it was no surprise that in retirement my dad searched and found ways to make a difference. Among other things, he opted to serve on the board of the local bank. He knew that in a town the size of Berry, Ky.—population just barely 300—the bank was the major player in helping others.

The second impression I had of banking came through my work in economic development—in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as well as across the country. I recall visiting one community where the government had to play the role of commercial lender because there were no banks headquartered there that could fund local small businesses.

Both of these early impressions of banking gave me an appreciation for what banks do for their communities and the economy. But it wasn’t until I became a banker—and looked at banking from the inside out—that my appreciation turned into passion.

I can think of few professions that offer the opportunity we have to make such a broad, deep, positive and lasting impact on the lives of so many. We seem to be equal parts consultant, accountant, counselor and social worker, working with businesses, social service organizations, local governments, homeowners and consumers. We facilitate things as ordinary as payroll and as extraordinary as economic development—as personal as homeownership and as universal as payments.

Of course, with so much opportunity to make a difference comes a lot of responsibility. But the men and women in banking that I’ve met over the years live up to that responsibility by putting their customers’ and communities’ needs first.

At Cape Cod Five, we spell it out for our employees and customers. We emphasize our bank’s commitment to community banking, responsible business, volunteerism, financial education and philanthropy. We call it our five pillars of community engagement. Your bank may express its values with different words, but I have no doubt they boil down to the same goal: building healthy communities and successful customers.

This is the most fundamental thing that all banks have in common. And it’s what makes me so proud to serve as chairman of ABA, representing banks of all stripes that share the same mission. That’s not to say we agree on everything—we don’t. And we don’t have to. (I learned this being one of eight children.)

We just need to agree on what’s important and what we’re willing to fight for. And as I talk to members from widely different bank asset sizes, business models, ownership structures and geographies, I see surprising consistency on that score.

I always say I have the best job in the world. I get to help people turn their dreams and plans into reality—whether it’s a business that wants to expand, a family that needs an affordable home or a couple planning for retirement. In other words, we bankers get to make lasting impressions—and those are the best kind.

ABA Chairman Dorothy Savarese is chairman, president and CEO of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank in Orleans, Mass.

ADVERTISEMENT
ShareTweetPin

Related Posts

OCC sees need for regulatory reform in bank merger process

Bank acquisitions announced in Ohio, Florida

Community Banking
June 17, 2025

FSB Financial has applied to buy Republic Banking Co. in Ohio. Commerce Bancshares has agreed to buy FineMark Holdings in Florida.

Old ways in a new world of banking

Old ways in a new world of banking

Community Banking
June 13, 2025

Meet American Bankers Council chair Jim Ryan, chairman and CEO of Old National Bank.

Nine highlights from nine decades of Stonier alumni

Nine highlights from nine decades of Stonier alumni

Community Banking
June 12, 2025

Over 90 years, more than 26,000 graduates of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking have brought leadership and vision to their banks and to the industry. To commemorate Stonier’s 90th anniversary, we are highlighting nine remarkable Stonier...

House panel advances ABA-backed bills on trigger leads, other topics

House panel advances ABA-backed bills on trigger leads, other topics

Community Banking
June 11, 2025

In a memo sent in advance of the markup, ABA noted that H.R. 2808 would “curb the abusive use of mortgage credit ‘trigger leads’ while narrowly preserving them for legitimate, transparent and accountable uses.”

Bowman sworn in as Fed vice chair for supervision

Bowman sworn in as Fed vice chair for supervision

Community Banking
June 9, 2025

A former state bank supervisor and community bank executive, Bowman has been a Fed governor since 2018. She has spoken at every ABA Conference for Community Bankers since her arrival at the Fed.

The man with the transformation plan

The thrill of recognition

Community Banking
June 9, 2025

How winning an ABA Emerging Leader Award supercharged one banker’s professional growth.

NEWSBYTES

Stablecoin bill clears Senate

June 17, 2025

CFPB to delay small-business lending data collection compliance dates

June 17, 2025

Senate tax measure contains provisions on ACRE, pass-through business deduction

June 17, 2025

SPONSORED CONTENT

AI Compliance and Regulation: What Financial Institutions Need to Know

Unlocking Deposit Growth: How Financial Institutions Can Activate Data for Precision Cross-Sell

June 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Account Opening Platform: 10 Key Considerations for Long-Term Success

Choosing the Right Account Opening Platform: 10 Key Considerations for Long-Term Success

April 25, 2025
Outsourcing: Getting to Go/No-Go

Outsourcing: Getting to Go/No-Go

April 5, 2025
Six Payments Trends Driving the Future of Transactions

Six Payments Trends Driving the Future of Transactions

March 15, 2025

PODCASTS

Podcast: Old National’s Jim Ryan on the things that really matter

June 12, 2025

Podcast: What bankers need to know about ‘First Amendment audits’

June 5, 2025

Podcast: Accelerating banking for quick-service restaurants

May 8, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT

American Bankers Association
1333 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-BANKERS (800-226-5377)
www.aba.com
About ABA
Privacy Policy
Contact ABA

ABA Banking Journal
About ABA Banking Journal
Media Kit
Advertising
Subscribe

© 2025 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive

© 2025 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved.