Innovation Starts Here | Sample Reprint

HUNTSVILLE & MADISON COUNTY

INNOVATION STARTS HERE

INTRODUCTION BY MAYOR TOMMY BATTLE SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE, INC.

WRITTEN BY CHRIS WELCH, DR. JAN DAVIS, BARBARA NASH, MARK McCARTER, PATRICIA McCARTER AND NANCY MANN JACKSON FEATURING THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF ERIC SHULTZ

SERVISFIRST BANK

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Living Up to Its Name

A New Concept in Banking

W

hat’s in a name? For a bank whose very name defines its mission, it’s everything.

Commitment to exceptional service guides every policy, every activity, every decision, every transaction, and every interaction every single day at ServisFirst Bank. In fact, it was dedication to a new brand of service that established ServisFirst Bank in Huntsville in 2006, and service has been the guiding philosophy since day one. The founding goal?

Lead the industry in offering cutting-edge banking products at the highest level of personal service.

ServisFirst’s Huntsville/North Alabama office was started by a team of high-energy, experienced banking executives and directors who are committed to serving the community with a unique brand of urban banking – large regional resources combined with the strength of experienced local executives who have the ability to develop solutions and make quick decisions. They instigated a long-term growth strategy to develop operations in Huntsville and the surrounding Tennessee Valley, including Southern Middle Tennessee – a region of new service without borders.

Focused on commercial and private banking, ServisFirst’s

seasoned banking executives implemented a low-overhead business model that utilizes the advances in financial technology to deliver ease and convenience to customers while maintaining a high-touch banking experience. The concept of providing more access to advanced technological tools while relying less on multiple branch locations has allowed ServisFirst to operate with far less overhead and pass those cost savings along to clients through more competitive rates and fees.

ServisFirst customers benefit from time-saving banking technologies such as remote deposit capture (the first bank in the market to make this feature available), mobile banking, free ATM use, cash management, online banking – including international currency exchange, payroll services, ACH deposits, online wires and more. Professionals have everything they need at their fingertips with the assurance of knowing they will have access to emerging technologies as they become available – an important feature that allows clients to advance with changing trends in business and stay on the cutting edge.

Growing through the Grapevine

Whereas many businesses rely on advertising to announce their presence in a new market or to promote products and services, ServisFirst used a different approach.

Approximately 175 local business owners helped establish the bank office in Huntsville through a unique “client/

shareholder” model. Those initial clients/shareholders experienced rapid growth on their investments and ultimately became a de facto salesforce by telling their friends and family about ServisFirst’s better banking experience.

Those initial endorsements, strengthened by years of building a word-of-mouth client network, has been a major component of both growth and commitment for ServisFirst.

When clients and owners refer others to the bank, they are confident that their friends and families will receive exceptional service from the first interaction.

ServisFirst believes that referrals from existing customers are the ultimate compliment, and every team member delivers the highest level of personal service to every client every day. Team members know instinctively that creating a warm environment where clients feel like family is paramount. Providing personal attention every time is standard operating procedure. It isn’t part of the culture, it is the culture. Likewise, ServisFirst is dedicated to helping its clients grow their businesses by making appropriate introductions with other business leaders so that all can benefit from this strong network of influencers.

It’s simple, if a bank introduction can lead to further business for each client, then it is a win-win-win proposition.

Filling a Gap at a Critical Time

Demonstrating its firm commitment to keep client needs as top priority, ServisFirst put its mission into practice in a big way during the recent recession. Business needs didn’t stop, but borrowers were having great difficulty securing loans. Due in part to its low overhead model and lack of problem loan costs, ServisFirst’s consistent earnings and strong capital position allowed the bank to continue to lend money and help clients grow while other banks were turning them away.

At a time when many financial institutions experienced difficulty, ServisFirst maintained its momentum, focusing on growth in several sectors – government contracting, biotech, manufacturing, agriculture, medical, and other commercial and industrial areas. As the economy continued to improve and demand for real estate increased, the bank also widened its lending to include more residential and commercial real estate to stay in front of client needs.

Service to customers came first – even in a slow economy when many needed help the most.

Putting a Win-Win-Win Philosophy to Work

ServisFirst knows that helping clients succeed and build revenue is good for the clients and good for the bank.

Increasing customer success increases bank success – a winwin-win situation.

As one avenue for helping clients grow, ServisFirst provides multiple networking opportunities through business development lunches, social events, and personal

introductions. The ability to put clients together to do business is an outgrowth of ServisFirst’s personal service and customer relationships – a lasting benefit to everyone involved.

Doing What They Do Best

ServisFirst continues to expand its customer base throughout the region by maintaining focus on core banking services, providing cutting-edge financial technology to its clients, and staying true to its mission.

ServisFirst Bank. The name says it all.

HUNTSVILLE & MADISON COUNTY

INNOVATION STARTS HERE

“Teamwork and Innovation. These two characteristics help define the most dynamic cities, governments and companies. These essential ingredients are at the heart of what makes Huntsville a success and why innovation starts here. ” — Mayor Tommy Battle

PRINTE D I N C AN ADA