The big banks have come in for more than their fair share of criticism over the past eight years. While some of it is undoubtedly merited, some isn’t and there is much to learn from some of their “best practices.” One of my favorite spring pastimes is to read the CEO’s letter in various bank […]
Archive for the ‘News from MidWestOne’ Category
Note from Charlie – good customer service comes in many forms
Ok, I admit it. I messed up! How could I schedule a business trip on the night of the NCAA championship game? As I looked at my flight schedule, I saw that I would be arriving at New York’s LaGuardia Airport about two hours before tip-off. Ok, I thought, that should give me time to […]
A note from Charlie – April 7
I am writing this in the afterglow of March Madness. Since the footprint for MidWestOne has expanded, among other things, this means a much larger office pool in picking the tournament brackets, which brought much good natured banter in our workplace! That’s a good thing. We now have teams in our footprint in four states. This year’s tournament […]
A note from Charlie – March 10
The dictionary defines “gratitude” as the quality of being thankful, showing readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness. It is my opinion that gratitude in general is in short supply these days. Think of how you feel when someone offers a heartfelt word of appreciation for something you have done. Better yet, note how good you […]
A note from Charlie – Feb. 4
February 22-27 is America Saves Week. Started in 2007, this is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for everyone to assess their saving status. I try to take every opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of saving money! Here are some key points I’d like to emphasize […]
A note from Charlie – Jan. 7
One of MidWestOne’s core operating principles is to “always conduct yourself with the utmost integrity.” This operating principle has been in place, with slightly different wording, since the bank’s founding in 1934. It’s not something we have ever taken lightly and we must get this right 100 percent of the time in order to maintain our customers’ […]
A note from Charlie – Dec. 10
This holiday season, I am thinking about Frank Canady. I first became acquainted with Frank about a decade ago when he was at Iowa City West High School and one of the very best distance runners in Iowa. Young Frank went off to Grinnell College, where he became a national caliber Division III runner but […]
Note from Charlie – Nov. 5
Providing an excellent environment in which to work is of the utmost importance to MidWestOne and fits with one of our operating principles, which is to “hire and retain excellent employees.” Of course, all companies will say that their “people are the most important assets,” but we all know that not every employer is willing […]
A note from Charlie – Oct. 8
What is it that you value in your bank? Our industry spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to determine what it is that consumers most value in their financial provider. This month, I take a look into this question and hope that by the time you have finished reading this, you will know what […]
A note from Charlie: Sept. 10
While the amount of technology in our daily lives can be overwhelming at times, it can also have a positive impact on our productivity levels. When you use technology to simplify your life, you are not just making things easier you’re also making yourself more efficient and productive. Financial institutions across the country have made […]