Women in Business 2011: Kathy Bertrand

Kathy Bertrand had every intention of being a teacher after college, but when she graduated in the 1980s, teaching jobs were hard to come by.

"I always say I was kind of thrust into banking, because I wanted to be a teacher. But I needed a job for my family, and once I got (into) banking, I found out I really did have a love for it," says Bertrand, vice president-commercial loan officer at the Bank of Missouri in Cape Girardeau.

Bertrand was hired to manage a loan services department, and for the first year she worked in every department of the bank, did lots of on-the-job training and attended every class and presentation she could.

"I loved it. I really did. I'm a numbers person," she says. "Everyone was very supportive, and I found out I was pretty good at it."

Bertrand later transitioned from loan services to commercial lending. The best part of this division, she says, is that every day is different, and she works with such a variety of client backgrounds, including transportation, medicine, marketing and real estate. She's had some clients for more than 15 years.

"I love working with customers. I don't think a lot of people realize that this job is about understanding all types of businesses, not just banking," says Bertrand. "I like to meet customers face to face and get to know them and their businesses. I think I become friends with my customers."

Though Bertrand found her niche in banking, she's kept her love for teaching as a volunteer with Junior Achievement and Read to Succeed. She's also on the board for the local Red Cross chapter, is treasurer of the Rotary Club and has served on numerous chamber of commerce committees.

Bertrand's husband David is a probation officer for the State of Missouri, and the couple has two sons and three grandchildren.