BANKER Q&A
THE
MILLENNIAL MINUTE with Bill Oliva
AVP Loan Officer First Community Bank, Batesville, AR
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A BANKER? To answer this question, I must tell you a bit of my story. I’m originally from Los Angeles, California, and I moved to Batesville, Arkansas with my mother in 2004. I started with First Community Bank as a senior at Batesville High School while I was participating in JAG, a job placement program. I began in the maintenance department in 2007. Shortly afterwards, I transferred to the marketing department where I spent the next seven years. In 2014, I started working with Community Insurance Professionals, a subsidiary of First Community Bank. In 2019, I was promoted to assistant vice president, Hispanic outreach officer, and today I am an AVP loan officer. I have worn many hats in my banking journey, but I was able to get my feet wet in all facets of the organization. My experiences in these previous roles have proven invaluable. The reality is that working in support roles provided the perfect launching pad for a highly successful career; as there is no better environment to cultivate long-lasting skills that are crucial for leadership roles down the road. Now I feel that being a local banker is where you get to make the biggest impact within your community. There are few things in life that are more gratifying than the look on a first time home buyer’s or business owner’s face when you make their dream a reality. My heart belongs to the underserved communities all around.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION HAS MADE THE MOST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? Smart phones and social media, alone. They are strong…. But together they are giants! The fact that we can communicate with people all over the world with a text or a status is unreal. Both of these tools allow me to stay connected with those I love dearly, friends, and my customers that need me.
HOW DO YOU CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AS A BANKER AND LEADER? I continue to take advice from those at the top of their game. I have had strong leadership around me since I was 17 years old. I have met some impressive businessmen and businesswomen in my time here, I would not change a thing about how I was raised within the bank. The process of growing up in a community bank has made me who I am today.
IF YOU RULED THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ON DAY 1? I would establish the rule of equality in my world, making one person no greater than the other. My world would consist of people that want betterment for all across the board. When we start celebrating how we are alike is when we will forget about our differences.
“The reality is that working in support roles provided the perfect launching pad for a highly successful career; as there is no better environment to cultivate long-lasting skills that are crucial for leadership roles down the road.” 12
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SUMMER 2021
