Independent Banker - September 2023 - 43

$200,000 into the community during
a time of need was a big thing that
the Federal Home Loan Bank really
deserves a shout-out for. "
Cross Bank donated money for
disaster relief to the Arkansas
Community Foundation, which was
raising money for similar efforts. The
community bank also announced
that it would match donations to the
foundation, up to $25,000.
Clockwise from left: Cross Bank employees
Kaitlon Shepperson, Kaitlin Singh and Korri
Smith with donations for the Wynne Tornado
Relief project; Cross Bank president and CEO
David Dowd in downtown Wynne, Ark.; bank
employees at the annual Wynne Farmfest
f Much more than just a " job "
Since its inception in 2022, the Cross
Bank Cares program has become
an integral part of the institution's
marketing and employee engagement
strategies, with each of the bank's 10
branches being encouraged to engage
in one service project each quarter.
The community bank has also created
a new budget strictly for giving back to
the community through sponsorships,
donations and volunteer time.
Justin Cissell, assistant vice
president and loan officer at Cross
Bank's Osceola branch, enjoys
working for a community institution
that " does a lot of great things " for the
groups that it cares deeply about, and
the communities where it operates.
" That's definitely been a great part
of the culture here, in terms of being
able to get out there and build those
connections, " says Cissell. " It makes
my job a lot more than just a 'job.'
Giving back is part of who we are and
a crucial part of our culture. "
Cissell has also formed strong
bonds with coworkers as a result of
the bank's ongoing contributions and
involvement with local communities.
For example, he says volunteer time
is also an opportunity for gathering,
sharing ideas and supporting one
another while outside of work.
" We're truly one big family both
in and out of work, and the time
we spend giving back just further
solidifies those bonds, " says Cissell.
fGolden Compass Award
Every Cross Bank employee has a
chance to practice the institution's
values every day, both at the bank
itself and in the communities that it
serves. To honor those who exemplify
these values, the community bank
launched the Golden Compass
Award in 2022. Based on an online
nomination process, the award is
presented monthly to an employee
who has been nominated by their
coworkers for being reliable,
responsive and relatable.
Golden Compass Award recipients
get a certificate of appreciation, a
traveling trophy to display in their
office for the month of their award
and an extra half-day of vacation
time. They also receive social media
and company newsletter recognition.
Dowd says the Golden Compass
Award came about as part of the
bank's overall rebranding effort.
Both Dowd and Cissell are on a
small committee that reads through
the nominations and then selects
the award recipient for the month.
Cissell says it's always fun reading the
comments and seeing how different
employees often wind up choosing the
same recipient for a specific month.
Then, when the awards are
given out and the nominations are
mentioned, Cissell likes watching for
reactions from the audience. " There
are always one or two associates
there who have actually done the
nominating, and you can just see the
pride on their faces as the winner is
announced, " he says. " This is yet one
more thing that brings us together
and leads to deeper connections
among our team members. "
Bridget McCrea is a writer in Florida.
independentbanker.org // 43
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Independent Banker - September 2023

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