THE MILLENNIAL MINUTE with

John Whisnant

Commercial Lender

Relyance Bank, Little Rock

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I grew up here in Little Rock where I went to Pulaski Academy from 1st grade through high school. I attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and came right back home to Little Rock after graduating. My dad worked as the CFO for a company specializing in the billing of health clubs across the country. This piqued my interest in going into the finance world in some fashion. My mom stayed home and took care of me, my older brother, and younger sister. I have four kids (three boys, one girl) that occupy most (or all) of my time. I met my wife in college and she is the best partner and spouse, and I don’t know where I would be without her.

HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY INTO BANKING? WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO ENTER BANKING?

After graduating with a major in Accounting and minor in Finance, all I knew was I did not want to be an accountant, although I thoroughly enjoy numbers. I wanted to get out more and interact with people and figured banking/commercial lending could help bridge the gap of interactions and number crunching.

NOW THAT YOU'VE SPENT SOME TIME IN BANKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT IT AND WHY?

I enjoy both sides of this business. The customer interaction is first, because the relationships are most important in this industry and by far the most fun. Second is the number crunching. With so many industries and businesses to work with, it keeps the job fresh as no two businesses or industries are alike. I have also loved the personal relationships I have devel- oped with my coworkers. Working in an environment with good people makes life and work much more enjoyable, and I am lucky to say I have worked with great people for my whole career.

WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

My dad always told us to accept responsibility. Whenever you screw up or something doesn’t go the way you want, step up and take responsibility for your own actions.

WHAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT YOU THINK WOULD SURPRISE THEM?

I worked at a branch that was robbed at gunpoint during my first three months on the job as a teller! Luckily, no one was harmed and he was caught a few days later. I may have thought about a career change for a minute, but obviously that didn’t happen.