YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

McKenzie Robinson | SBJ

2021 Trusted Advisers Banker: Matthew Keeth

UMB Bank

Posted online

As vice president and senior client manager in business banking at UMB Bank, Matthew Keeth strives to focus on client relationships, and not only on the financial products and services the bank offers.

“I want to learn and understand each of my clients’ businesses and industries in order to shape our relationship, which allows me to introduce ideas that can build long-term success and, in turn, strengthen the Springfield community and the surrounding area,” he says.

Keeth provides lending and cash management solutions for clients, but also says he serves as a sounding board and creative voice and connects them to other internal and external trusted advisers.

In 2020, he worked with approximately 30 clients and had a business banking portfolio of $86 million.

Keeth says building relationships goes further than traditional banking, especially with the uncertainty many businesses have been facing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In addition to working tirelessly on (Paycheck Protection Program) loans for clients and local businesses who weren’t in our portfolio, but required critical relief, I increased my already strong communications with business owners to ensure they knew they had a trusted adviser in their corner during unprecedented times,” he says.

The economic and cultural changes also have altered traditional banking hours, and Keeth says he’s worked on PPP loans for clients at all hours of the day and week. He’s also become an educator on security protections with emerging threats and trends on businesses.

“Amid the pandemic, fraudulent activity targeting businesses significantly increased as they pivoted operations or went fully digital,” he says. “I kept clients aware of fraud prevention tactics to maintain business continuity without increasing exposure to payments fraud, whether it was through business email compromise, altered checks, wire transfers, corporate credit cards or employee theft.”

Keeth says he prepares through continuing education, which has covered the increasing dependencies and adoption of technology.

“By remaining flexible with our lending and technological offerings, and thinking holistically about solutions for their businesses, we are positioning our clients for success while serving as a trusted adviser during a major transitionary period for many industries,” he says.

As a Springfield resident for about 25 years, Keeth has been involved in the Rotaract Club of Springfield and currently is on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Springfield. He also is a member of the organization’s finance and ReStore committees.

“Through my work on the committees, I provide my expertise to aid in the organization’s finances and budgeting to ensure success for its mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope,” he says. “Our work has led to dozens of interest-free loans so low-income families through the community can achieve their goal of homeownership.”

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences