guiding belief: “Committed to those we serve.” For President Larry Fief, that commitment extends far beyond financial transactions.“We’re referring to our customers, our employees, the communities we’re in, and the owners of the bank,” Fief says.“Banks are only as strong as the communities they serve, and we’re deeply invested in making sure those communities thrive.” COMMUNITY SERVICE AT HEART Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer Kathy Schwerdtfager echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the human side of banking. “We’re not here just to build accounts—we want to build relationships,” Schwerdtfager says.“We encourage our employees to volunteer, serve on boards, and take part in nonprofit efforts. Any opportunity to give back helps both our community and our people grow.” That philosophy is more than talk. Every employee at The Bank of Tescott is tasked annually with a “community focus goal,” a branch-level initiative that encourages staff to engage in volunteer work or support local causes. Whether cleaning up a park, organizing community events, or sponsoring youth programs, the bank’s employees are empowered to strengthen the fabric of their towns. Fief notes that this approach is generational. “The Berkley family has owned and operated the bank for over 100 years, and we now have families who’ve banked with us for five generations,” he says. “That kind of continuity builds trust—it’s what community banking is all about.” EXTENDING A HELPING HAND ACROSS KANSAS The bank’s involvement reaches into every corner of the communities it serves. Schwerdtfager, who serves on the board of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, describes the deep partnerships the bank maintains with local nonprofits. “The Foundation benefits dozens of local charities,” she says. “And in the smaller towns we serve, our staff also volunteer on the affiliate boards of those community foundations. From Rotary and Lions Club to AmBucs, our employees have always stepped up.” Perhaps the best-known initiative is the bank’s decades-long partnership with Sunset Elementary School in Salina. “We ‘adopted’ Sunset School close to 30 years ago,” Fief recalls.“We’ve helped at events, supported teachers, and watched kids grow up to send their own children there. It’s amazing to see that cycle come full circle.” Another example of local impact came through the bank’s response to the childcare crisis affecting rural America.“We launched our own initiative to support area daycare providers and raise awareness about the shortage,” Schwerdtfager says.“It’s a serious issue that affects working families and local economies, and we wanted to be part of the solution.” 119 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 11 THE BANK OF TESCOTT
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