Business View Magazine | October 2020

111 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 PR IME MER IDI AN BANK a marketing piece - it’s for the team – though it is one of the most requested documents when Dixon speaks with others about the Bank. The book illustrates every aspect of why the Bank does what it does and includes examples and principles learned along the way. Its mission statement –“Building bankers to serve our clients and community in order to optimize shareholder value”– guides decision-making. Each initiative is evaluated with respect to its five core principles – passion, grace, integrity, tenacity, and accountability. “Our secret sauce is very simple,” says Dixon. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We know there are other banks down the road, so we are all about the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Every endeavor has to pass through our own value “filters” before we move forward. If we take care of our culture and relationships with clients, the growth will take care of itself.” According to Dixon the Bank’s team members EVP & Chief Information Officer, Monte L. Ward EVP & Chief Risk Officer, Susan Payne Turner EVP & CFO, Clint F. Weber are one of the Bank’s most important assets. Now consisting of just under 100 employees, the Bank serves clients from four Florida offices: two in Tallahassee, one in Crawfordville, and one in Lakeland. Even in an industry so dependent upon technology, Prime Meridian Bank realizes that good banking is still a product of having the right people. Dixon emphasizes, “We are committed to diversity, which means we work to create an environment where differences are respected, and each of us can do our best work and achieve our highest potential.” He reminds prospective team members looking to join the Bank that, “Prime Meridian Bank is not for everybody. Our intensity and tenacity levels remain high, all the time. We don’t sit down and pat ourselves on the back. Complacency is one of the greatest destroyers of companies.” For Dixon, staying competitive is essential. In that regard, Prime Meridian Bank has embraced the latest technology – remote capture, mobile deposits, online banking, ACH, top-level security and training – everything for the security and convenience of its clients. “These are opportunity costs that you just have to have,” he says. “It is all about relationship building and taking care of people,” Dixon continues. “Our philosophy, when it comes to taking care of a client, is not selling them a product, it is looking at their needs from a holistic standpoint because every situation is different. Our goal is to grow bigger