At Cornerstone Bank, every employee knows that the Golden Rule is the gold standard.
“We treat every customer the way we want to be treated as a customer,” says Michelle Guthrie, Senior Vice-President at Cornerstone Bank. Guthrie says this motto includes a first-name basis relationship with clients, 24/7 banker access, and a commitment to always having the customers’ best interests at heart.
“Whether you have $500 or $50,000, you get treated the same way,” Michelle quotes.
After 15 years with Cornerstone Bank, Michelle states that this is the best job she has ever had. “I love the client interaction – meeting their needs and seeing how happy they are with the end result. We have strong personal relationships with our clients. We know them and their families, and they are confident sharing their needs with us because they know we’ll figure out a way to create opportunities together.”
Since 2001, Cornerstone Bank has been offering personal banking, business banking, and commercial loan services in the Kansas City Metro. The bank began in the den of President John Doull’s home, so with its small-business beginnings, Cornerstone Bank knows how to help others build their dreams into realities.
“Some small businesses may be too small for a bank to even look at,” Michelle says.” But we understand starting small. We get it. And we have options for small businesses with personal service they might not get from a larger bank.”
Customers often get lost in bigger banks, Michelle adds. “We hear people say over and over again that they aren’t sure why they bank at a big bank. They don’t really like them, and don’t feel valued, but they’re afraid it will be too big of a hassle to switch. At Cornerstone Bank, we believe in common-sense banking, not biggest-nightmare-ever banking.”
With the business scandals of late that have occurred in some of the bigger banks, maybe local community banking that is honest and loyal is worth taking an interest in.
“We don’t want to be the biggest,” says Mark Clemmons, Vice-President of Treasury Management. “We just want to do what’s best for our customers.”
With experienced employees and officers (14+ years on average), customers can rest assured their bankers or loan officers will be there tomorrow.
“This is huge in banking because a common complaint is the turnover,” Michelle says. “That doesn’t happen here. And when you call, you’re going to get a person, not an automated phone line. I think that’s unusual today. We have a commitment level to our clients. We LIKE our clients, and we want to talk to them and quickly address their needs.”
Michelle adds that customers can feel safe and secure with Cornerstone Bank. They are strictly regulated with multiple layers of security but retain the personal access and the trust that comes from building relationships over time. All of the officers’ business cards include their personal cell or home phone numbers with the implication that, yes, they can be reached outside of bankers’ hours.
“Problems don’t happen 8-5 on the weekday,” Michelle says. “They happen after hours and on holidays. We don’t want any time to pass between a client’s need and our response. Everyone who works here is wired that way. We always want to do what is right for our customers WHEN it’s right for our customers.”
For benefits and account options, including online and mobile banking, visit:
Cornerstone Bank
9120 W. 135th St.
Overland Park KS 66221
913-353-4130