14 Hoosier Banker March 2015 transaction, then we’ll put a soft block on the account, due to activity outside normal habits and patterns. “We use a lot of intelligence to track activities on consumers’ accounts. We also conduct extensive external penetration tests and security tests.” First IB has been recognized twice by American Banker magazine as one of the best banks to work for in the nation, and also has been honored as a Top Workplace by The Indianapolis Star. What accounts for these honors? “This company was seeded with great people. They work hard, and we expect a lot of our employees, but we also give a lot of flexibility. That’s what makes us a fun place to work. “Folks who like change and opportunity fit in well here. We give people the opportunity to perform at their best and to rethink how things are being done. We have an onboarding day for new employees, Hear why David Becker, chairman and CEO of First Internet Bank, encourages staff to share STEM expertise (science, technology, engineering and math) face-to-face with underserved students. To view a brief video, go to Hoosier Banker Digital at indianabankers.org, and click on the red YouTube arrow. t Face-to-Face With STEM Opportunities Video Bonus: and I tell them that our only constant is change. We reinvent and rethink, and everything’s up for grabs. “We have a very relaxed work atmosphere. We don’t have much outside customer interaction, apart from loan officers who meet with clients, so for most us the coat and tie isn’t a necessity. You can wear blue jeans five days a week here, if you want to. “We also encourage community activities and fundraising. We participate in the corporate challenge of the Indiana Sports Corporation. We do a lot of the Komen Race for the Cure events. We adopt families at Christmastime. “We’re a big supporter of the STEM mentoring initiative here in Indianapolis, helping expose underprivileged children to science, technology, engineering and math to get their career paths in play. “The community has been very nice to me over the years, and our employees have done fantastic work. I feel it’s my responsibility to give back to the community and to the folks who make me look good. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.” What do you enjoy doing when you are away from work? “I blow away cobwebs by riding motorcycles and shooting photography. I run around the countryside on a two-wheeler and take pictures, and also take photos while traveling with family. “I love to travel, my wife Christy loves to travel, and our children have been all over the world, seeing and experiencing great things. We’ve been fortunate. “Our five children – Christy and I have two, and I have three children from a prior marriage – have sailed along the Turkish coastline and Continued from page 13. David Becker was granted the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Mentoring in February 2015 by College Mentors for Kids. hiked through the mountains of Guatemala. Last spring we went to the Dominican Republic to build a home for a disadvantaged family. “My children loved the mission trip in the Dominican Republic, and they appreciated seeing the other side. When we left, my son gave the neighborhood kids a Frisbee he’d brought along. One little girl had tears in her eyes over the gift, and my son was deeply moved.” How do you define success? “My definition of success is to make people happy. It can be from the customer level to the employee level to the ‘play.’ I get pumped when other folks get pumped. “It’s been that simple for me from the beginning of time. I grew up in Monrovia, Indiana. I went to a rural school with 72 kids in my graduating class. Four of us went to college, and I was the first in my family to go to college. “I feel fortunate to have had a lot of success. I’ve worked, no question about it, but to me the real success is in making others happy and giving them the chance to enjoy what they’re doing. Just seeing a smile on somebody’s face is all the success I need.” t
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