Florida Banking December 2021 | January 2022

KUDOS

L aura Ann Marsh, human resources assistant for Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, has been certified as an HR generalist by the Independent Community Bankers of America. ICBA’s HR certification program represents the body of knowledge needed to serve as an effective human resources generalist. The comprehensive, eight-part program is designed to provide human resources professionals the skills they need to be effective. Marsh joined the bank in April as a customer service representative and teller at the McGregor Branch and was promoted to her current role in July. She is responsible for preparing payroll transactions, maintaining human resources records and assisting in the administration of employee benefits. Marsh has 25 years of executive administration experience working for several Southwest Florida businesses, including Sanibel Community Church. She has also served as a substitute teacher for Lee County Schools since 1996. Marsh holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Trent University and a degree in education from University of Western Ontario. Laura Ann Marsh Earns ICBA HR certification Laura Ann Marsh

Professional Bank Launches New Digital Account Opening System

A n innovative, proprietary solution developed in-house by Professional Bank now makes starting a new relationship with the bank as easy as taking a selfie. Individuals can use their mobile device to open a personal checking account online in about three minutes, saving time and hassle. At the same time, they connect with their personal banker, keeping human interaction very much an important part of the process. “The vast majority of participants in our industry typically ask for anywhere from 30 to 50 pieces of information to open an account,” said Daniel R. Sheehan, chairman and CEO. “We’re functionally accomplishing the same with just a few clicks and use of a mobile phone’s camera.” According to one recent study, 75 percent of the nation’s banks say it can take five minutes or more to open an account online, with about 30 percent reporting the digital process can take over 10 minutes. A third of all banks that offer a digital solution still say customers must visit a branch to finalize the process. Professional Bank’s online account opening is simple. It only requires a mobile device with photo capabilities, a driver’s license, and a minimum of $25 to fund the new account. The bank then takes it a step further by introducing them to their private

banker — integrating the digital experience with the human experience. “Right there, on a phone or tablet, our new client is introduced to a member of our private banking team,” said Sheehan. “It’s a further enhancement of our philosophy around client experience.” Professional Bank’s Digital Innovation Center in Cleveland, which is tasked with finding ways to leverage technology to enhance the client experience, developed the online account opening system when it couldn’t find an acceptable solution in the market. “We took p g

a Professoa a cet and determ ed t coud be improved,” f Informatio y Gorney. “W use techno gy p person-to-p but instead e ace it. That is g and what t makes our y different o

competitor built by ban for bankers.

26 — FLORIDA BANKING THE VOICE OF FLORIDA BANKING