2015 Economic Impact Awards 6-15 Years in Operation Finalist: Branson Bank

Branson Bank illustrates its mission with a cookie.

The bank uses the chips of its signature chocolate-chip cookie to outline its core values, such as greeting every customer and saying thank you.

“In a smaller community, relationships matter and a community bank can play a larger role beyond accepting deposits,” says Bill Jones, president and CEO.

His commitment to community banking stems from having worked at a larger bank where policies and procedures made serving customers difficult, Jones says. A colleague with whom he worked felt the same way.

“He walked in my office one day and said, ‘Bill, what if we were to start our own bank? What would it look like?’ I immediately grabbed a yellow legal pad ... and filled it up,” Jones says.

With regulatory approval, some capital and a business plan, Branson Bank opened in March 2000 with one location and five employees, including Jones and co-founder Wes Strange.

“We opened with a modular facility, a few employees and a vision to make a difference,” Jones says.

Today, Branson Bank operates three locations, including one in Forsyth, more than 50 employees and assets of $170 million.

“We have had continued growth, even during the recession, and have proven our strength, stability and commitment to the community in Taney and Stone counties,” says Halley Fleming, vice president of marketing.

In a regional or national bank, deposit dollars may be sent anywhere in the country. Because Branson Bank is locally owned and controlled, Jones says all decisions, including loan approvals, are made by people who live and work in Branson.

Deposit dollars are used to fund local businesses and individuals, a focus on community that was especially helpful during the Great Recession when the bank realized many customers were struggling to make payments. A special assets team was created to help people save their businesses and homes.

“The team was designed to monitor loans that were beginning to be in the 60- to 90-day late period, providing dedicated individuals the ability to reach out to help the customers in need,” Fleming says.

In one case, the bank’s in-house marketing team met with a local business owner to form a marketing plan and create advertising material to assist in saving the customer’s business. The team continues to meet monthly to identify clients who need help.

“Many have rebounded very nicely and are doing better,” Jones says. “From an economic standpoint, it was a better way of doing things. From a humanitarian point of view, it was the right thing to do.”

Branson Bank’s emphasis on the community extends beyond its walls. Employees raise money for a staff-selected nonprofit organization through the Casual For A Cause program to which employees donate $5 to wear jeans and sneakers on Fridays. The bank also donates more than $3,000 a year to area schools to support character education initiatives. And through the Veteran of the Quarter program, a local veteran is chosen for recognition.

“We have lots of our folks involved in lots of organizations,” Jones says. “That’s just a culture we have as an organization. We hire for that. We go through a pretty extensive hiring process. We want to make sure their values align with ours.”