Independent Banker - December 2024 - 34

$251M-$500M
Catalyst Bank

EMBODYING CORE VALUES
BY DON SADLER
ommunity banks with a strong
culture can always answer
this question: What does your
organization stand for? And so,
after completing an initial public
offering (IPO) in October 2021, the
leadership of $281 million-asset
Catalyst Bank in Opelousas, La.,
made a point of documenting the
C
bank's core values.
" This really solidified who we
are, " says president and CEO Joe
Zanco, who joined the community
bank to lead it through the IPO. He
says the bank identified five core
values: truth and honesty even when
it's tough, humility, impact, now
and connection.
The importance of core values
Senior administrative officer
Jutta Codori believes having
these strong core values is a key
part of what makes Catalyst Bank
a great place to work. " It makes
for a better work environment
and happier employees, " says
Codori. " Management really cares
about employees and listens to
our concerns. "
Other employees echo Codori:
" Our employees genuinely care for
one another, " wrote one employee in
the Best Community Banks to Work
For staff survey. " Whether it's workrelated
or personal, we step up to
help each other. "
" The bank has a very relaxed and
comfortable atmosphere where
everyone is like family, " wrote
another employee. " The work
environment is the best from a CEO
who treats everyone with kindness
and respect. "
Catalyst Bank
Opelousas, La.
Assets: $281 million
catalystbank.com
An employee-owned
establishment
Catalyst Bank offers all the standard
employee benefits you'd expect from
an outstanding workplace: robust
health, dental and vision insurance;
a healthy 401(k) match; a generous
PTO policy; and an annual bonus.
But the biggest benefit, says Zanco,
is the employee stock ownership plan
(ESOP), which makes every employee
3 culture building tips from Catalyst Bank
Joe Zanco, president and CEO of Catalyst Bank, shares his thoughts
on building a positive workplace culture:
1. Lead from the top. " Your culture is only as strong as your
leadership team, " he says, " which must set the right tone and
example at the top of the organization. "
2. Walk the walk. " Actions speak louder than words, " he adds.
3. Encourage experimentation. " Leaders need to let employees fail
without fear in order for them to grow, " Zanco says. " How you treat
employees in these moments [of failure] dictates how many new
ideas are brought to the table. "
a part owner of the bank.
" This changes the game in terms of
how employees feel about their jobs, "
he says. " When employees are also
owners, it just matters more to them.
Everyone pulls together to help grow
the bank. "
Codori, who has been with
Catalyst Bank for 18 years, says the
atmosphere at the community bank
has changed for the better since
the 2021 IPO.
" There's a lot more employee
recognition now, " Codori says. " [Our
bank president and CEO] Joe wants
everyone to enjoy coming to work
each day. He helps make this a fun
place to work, and he's sensitive
34 // ICBA Independent Banker // December 2024
http://www.catalystbank.com

Independent Banker - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - December 2024

Contents
Independent Banker - December 2024 - Cover1
Independent Banker - December 2024 - Cover2
Independent Banker - December 2024 - Contents
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 2
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 3
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 4
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 5
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 6
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 7
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Independent Banker - December 2024 - FIS1
Independent Banker - December 2024 - FIS2
Independent Banker - December 2024 - FIS3
Independent Banker - December 2024 - FIS4
Independent Banker - December 2024 - 25
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Independent Banker - December 2024 - Cover3
Independent Banker - December 2024 - Cover4
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