Opportunities for growth: Steve McPheeters of MRV Banks shares how the business has grown, and his advice for businesses during tax season

Steve McPheeters joined the MRV Banks team in 2013 as senior vice president, but has been involved in the community and in banking since the late 1980s. He has worked in business development, customer acquisition and marketing strategies, and also has served as a chamber of commerce director at the local and state levels. Although he has held an array of positions throughout his career, his passion for giving personal, quality customer service has remained constant.

__Business Today: How did you get to this point in your career?__

__Steve McPheeters:__ I've had a lot of great opportunities to work with good people in banking, chamber and economic development work and broadcasting. In each case it's about relationships and mutual respect. I've been fortunate to know a lot of people who have helped along the way ... just like knowing Doug Watson (president and CEO of MRV Banks) for many years and getting the opportunity to join the MRV Banks team in 2013 and grow with them.

__BT: What have you learned through your past positions with the chamber of commerce and at other banks?__

__SM:__ The old adage of "It's who you know" is a starter, but you also have to be a dependable self-starter yourself to be successful. You not only develop good relationships with your customers, but also you make sure you are a team player with co-workers. It's basic to any industry and business you work for ... do the best you possibly can and help those you work with as often as you can.

Cutline:Steve McPheeters is senior vice president of MRV Banks.Fred Lynch

__BT: MRV is relatively new to the area. What made you want to be a part of this startup?__

__SM:__ The MRV Banks story is somewhat unique. There are more than 300 investors from the Ste. Genevieve, Cape and Sikeston areas, and many of them are customers of the bank. You don't have one person or family who dominates or dictates how the bank is run. Our board and senior managers come from a broad range of businesses and communities, and decisions are made based on sound banking principles. It works well.

Steve McPheeters is senior vice president of MRV Banks.Fred Lynch

__BT: What has it been like watching the business grow the past few years?__

__SM:__ When MRV Banks opened the Cape Girardeau branch in 2013 with its unique banking style, I thought it would be a good opportunity to work with Doug Watson and the team he had assembled. I've always liked the idea of helping others build things, and the MRV Banks approach works because its main focus is still about relationships and taking care of people.

__BT: How has customer service changed since you began working with banks?__

__SM:__ All the new technical advances have made it more convenient for people to bank from just about anywhere, anytime. That is a good thing, but I still believe, and always will, that people like to be acknowledged when they do business with you in person. That's as simple as saying hello, a handshake or taking a few minutes to have a conversation without your face buried in your iPhone.

__BT: What, to you, is good customer service in today's banking world?__

__SM:__ If you can stop for a moment and listen and put yourself in the customer's place, you will have a better chance of meeting customer expectations. To me, that is how excellent customer service happens.

__BT: What is your best financial advice for businesses as we enter tax season?__

__SM:__ Businesses always have to be concerned about cash flow heading into tax season, as well as varying economic conditions and keeping their current customers satisfied. It's a real balancing act. It takes an attitude of continually learning and improving your business to make it work in a very fast and changing world.

Steve McPheeters is senior vice president for MRV Banks.Fred Lynch

__BT: A new branch of MRV Banks is about to open in Sikeston, Missouri. What's next for MRV?__

__SM:__ Sikeston experienced some $42 million in new commercial development in 2015. The younger leadership in the community has taken on the responsibility of making the community better, and Sikeston has become a key job producer for the whole area. MRV Banks had the opportunity to partner with local developers in our new branch location at 912 S. Main St. We are grateful to be a part of the new growth and we continue to look for new opportunities in the Mississippi River valley region to grow the MRV Banks brand.