Banking on relationships: Aaron Panton, community bank president at The Bank of Missouri, on how the bank works with small businesses

As community bank president at The Bank of Missouri, Aaron Panton knows banking encompasses more than loans and checking accounts. It also should include a solid relationship between banker and client.

"Your bank should take the time to know you and your industry, and work with you to reach the goals to be successful in that industry," he says.

Read on as Panton shares how small-business owners can make the most of their banking relationships:

__BT: How did you get into the banking industry and what do you enjoy about it?__

__AP:__ I stumbled into banking early in my professional career. I quickly found this career choice not only challenging, but extremely fulfilling. Someone once told me bankers' hours were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That statement wasn't too accurate; it's definitely short by a few hours! Most clients do not have the 9 to 5 hours, either, so being available is key to a successful banking/client relationship. The banking industry provides a plethora of opportunities for career advancement. The greatest and most rewarding to me is being able to work with people -- real people with real needs, real visions and real goals. Banking is more than your standard checking account or loan. It is a profession that allows you to partner with a client for life. So it goes without saying that my "stumble" has provided me with a fulfilling purpose that some call a career.

Aaron Panton, Community Bank President with The Bank of Missouri stands in the lobby of their Scott City branch Wednesday, June 3, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

__BT: You're new to Bank of Missouri -- how did you land in your current role?__

__AP:__ Connections. I have always been a big advocate of making connections. These connections over time become relationships. It's the connections that become relationships that put you in position to be considered for a role like this. It also helps to work hard and be a student of the industry, which I like to think I do. Never stop learning, is what I remind myself each day. The opportunity with The Bank of Missouri presented itself with the promotion of my predecessor, Dawn Dauer, to executive vice president of corporate administration. I am excited to serve as community bank president in Cape Girardeau and Scott City and be part of a team at what I consider to be the region's premier bank.

Aaron Panton, community bank president at The Bank of Missouri talks with financial consultants in the lobby of the Scott City branch. (Glenn Landberg)

__BT: What are your top goals at work?__

__AP:__ My primary goal is to fulfill the vision that has been put forth by our CEO, David Crader, and our board of directors. We are an independent community bank looking to expand into communities with growth potential. We're striving to meet the financial needs of those communities, giving through our resources and associates to the communities we serve, and providing a value to our shareholders. In order to fulfill this vision, it requires us to understand our clients' goals and help them achieve them.

__BT: The bank has staff members who work especially with small businesses -- why is this an important part of your bank? Could you tell us more about how the bank works with small-business owners?__

Aaron Panton, Community Bank President with The Bank of Missouri stands in the lobby of their Scott City branch Wednesday, June 3, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

__AP:__ We believe businesses are the backbone to every community. The Bank of Missouri is a large community bank that understands the needs of businesses. If we can help them grow and be successful, it makes our communities stronger. A community that embraces small businesses benefits on the economic front. Our team specializes in business relationships. When you visit with us, we sit down with you and help you select the business solutions that will help your company thrive. To us, a business could be a company with one employee to a large organization with more than 500. In addition to traditional commercial loans, The Bank of Missouri is a preferred lender with the Small Business Administration. What that means is this allows us to make decisions locally, and it simplifies the process for the borrower, regardless of the size of your company.

__BT: What are many business owners unaware of when it comes to working with a bank? Or, what should they be taking advantage of more?__

__AP:__ A relationship with your bank should be more than just signing on the dotted line of a promissory note or a deposit account. It should not be just a transaction; it should be a relationship. Your bank should take the time to know you and your industry, and work with you to reach the goals to be successful in that industry. We work with a variety of business professionals, which provides us a diverse perspective and equips us to provide value.

__BT: What does the small business scene look like in Southeast Missouri? What areas are growing and changing? What do you see coming up in the future?__

__AP:__ The small business scene is exploding, and our business landscape is constantly evolving. Much of our innovation is coming from local entrepreneurs. Our entrepreneurs are visionaries. We are seeing more shared workspaces, which is allowing entrepreneurs to collaborate with other like-minded professionals. Who's to tell what is coming in the future, but the baseline has been set for exciting and continued developments.

__BT: What is your best financial or business development advice for small-business owners?__

__AP:__ Be open-minded and willing to try new things. It's that open-minded approach that will allow new doors to open. Networking and connecting with other small businesses is one way of doing that. Value and maintain integrity. We believe in being with a business throughout all of the life cycles of business. Our goal is to provide value by giving direction and support and equip each business owner with the resources needed to succeed. These are a few things we think are an important part of being a successful business owner.

__BT: What do you do in your spare time -- any family, hobbies and community involvement?__

__AP:__ I am a husband to my beautiful wife, Cassie, and the father of three wildly energetic young children (we call it the Panton Zoo). I try to stay very involved in my local church and also serve as a director for the Cape Area Habitat for Humanity. Our family enjoys traveling, whether it be to St. Louis to catch a Cardinals game or to the beach for vacation. Having a work life/balance is very important and can be hard to accomplish, but I have been blessed with a family that helps me keep it in check.

__BT: What else would you like our readers to know about you and your bank?__

__AP:__ I think it's important for readers to know our rich history. The Bank of Missouri, headquartered in Perryville, Missouri, is a $1 billion financial institution and has been serving clients since 1891. We have 20 locations and are committed to the communities in which we live, work and play!