From Social Work to Banking: A Journey of Stewardship and Adaptation
I am Orvin Kimbrough, Social Worker, who happens to lead a nearly $3 Billion in asset bank. I consider myself the Accidental Banker, because I never aspired to banking.
When I was handed the baton to lead Midwest BankCentre in January of 2019, I had no idea what a ride I was in for. I had been on the board of the Bank since 2014, joining shortly after I had become CEO of United Way. As a board member, it was our job to ensure that we had the right CEO and management, make sure we had appropriate risk management systems in place, and provide oversight. We had a staff of traditional, professional bankers.
On that day in January when I became CEO, I crossed the rubicon. I maintained my presence as a board member, but now I was one of those traditional, professional bankers – or was I?
Transitioning industries from the nonprofit sector into the banking sector was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. My goal was to be a good steward of the asset I was entrusted with, surround myself with people who I trusted to give sound advice, be impactful, and have fun. My foremost objective was the medical oath – do no harm. We implemented a strategic framework to guide the bank’s efforts, which included deepening partnerships with our customers and communities, ensuring that leadership was aligned philosophically, emphasizing that everyone deserves a fair chance at credit, and prioritizing profitability.
I call this concept Shared Prosperity and believe that it is essential for our community’s growth. While it sounds utopian, shared prosperity is attainable, and our Bank continues to be committed to it. By working with local businesses, nonprofits and those they serve, often the most vulnerable among us, we help more people access opportunity and reasonably priced capital so our entire region can thrive.
Our purpose at Midwest BankCentre is to help our regional communities thrive. Our promise is to help build our region by building local businesses and supporting the dreams of local families. We’ve been doing this in St. Louis for over 120 years and are now expanding our reach throughout the Midwest.
Kansas City has emerged as a dynamic and thriving hub for businesses, making it the ideal location for Midwest BankCentre’s expansion in 2023. With its robust economic growth, the city has attracted billions in investments, transforming its downtown into a bustling area that now welcomes over 10 million visitors annually. This vibrant business environment aligns perfectly with Midwest BankCentre’s mission to support local enterprises and foster economic development through personalized and technologically advanced banking services.
The decision to open our first business production office outside of St. Louis in Kansas City reflects our commitment to enhancing regional economic growth. By appointing Trey Cunningham, a seasoned Kansas City banking veteran, as Market President and Stephanie Makalous to lead our local Treasury Management team, we are leveraging local expertise to build strong, impactful relationships. Our Kansas City office offers a full suite of business services, from commercial lending to treasury management, helping businesses and nonprofits thrive in this rapidly growing market. As a Missouri-based community bank, we are excited to contribute to Kansas City’s continued prosperity with our hybrid approach of personalized service and state-of-the-art technology.
It truly does matter where you bank. When you are ready, my colleagues and I are standing by to help you — and our community — succeed.
Originally published in the Kansas City Business Journals Ask The Expert Column on 7/26/2024 by Orv Kimbrough, Chairman and CEO.