What makes your bank unique? Integrity Bank & Trust is an employee-owned community bank. We put an emphasis on the success of both our staff and our customers. We’re motivated and inspired to serve our community, including donating hundreds of volunteer hours to local nonprofits every year. Our vision is to have an enduring impact on our community. Another unique aspect is our open-door policy. This means anyone can pick up the phone and call an executive officer with suggestions, questions, concerns or comments. It’s important to us that all voices are heard. What is the most important thing you’ve learned from a career in banking? The most important thing I’ve learned in my 15-year career in banking is to be innovative, with a focus on efficiency. Change is constant; it is important to embrace change and navigate through the lens of innovation and efficiency for the best outcomes. Innovation + Efficiency = Success. What do you like to do to give back to the community? Where do I start? Giving back is a passion of mine. Helping others is a part of who I am. Integrity Bank & Trust sponsors multiple charitable events throughout the year — in 2011, we launched our annual Golf Tournament to raise money for local non-profits. Over the past three years alone, we raised $125,000 for organizations such as Children’s Literacy Center, Shield 616 and Arc of the Pikes Peak Region. I also enjoy volunteering at my church and a soup kitchen in downtown Colorado Springs. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a lawyer. I could debate anyone on any topic at any time and loved digging into problems and finding solutions. I figured if Tom Cruise could do it in “A Few Good Men,” so could I! My road took a different path when I started working at a financial institution as a part-time teller — I instantly fell in love with banking, and as they say … the rest is history! Lori Zarkovacki Controller/Vice President Integrity Bank and Trust GOING BEYOND THE DESK TO HEAR THE STORIES OF COLORADO BANKERS How did you get started in the banking industry? I worked in collections with Nordstrom in 2008 and took a leap of faith by agreeing to a four-month contract position with Western Union to mitigate their 2012 FinCEN and FTC violations. What do you like to do to give back to the community? I volunteer to coach young women in basketball for the City of Aurora. It’s a great experience to teach youth about sports, commitment and discipline. What is the most important thing you’ve learned from a career in banking? Making connections with others in your specific role and industry goes further than some education/webinars. Peers may have more experience, or they may have experienced the exact same scenario or situation you’re going through. You can use their knowledge and experience to help guide you down the right path to success. What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? Vendor management. What do you geek out about? Jeeps, specifically Jeep Grand Cherokees! Who is one of the most influential figures in your life? My mother — she is a very strong and positive woman. What do you listen to on your morning commute? Nothing. A quiet drive into the office allows me to clear my head and focus on the items I need to work on when I get into the office. The silence, along with the beautiful view, brings peace before chaos. Sharvelle Washington AVP Compliance & Risk Bankers’ Bank of the West Contact Patricia Wells at patricia@ColoradoBankers.org. 13 Colorado Banker
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==