Name: Kara Anderson

Position: 1st AVP Relationship Manager and Orange County Regional Manager

Company: 1st Century Bank

What differentiates 1st Century Bank in the market?

1st Century Bank was founded in 2004. Our culture is built on the extraordinary importance of personal attention, experienced guidance, and commitment to the communities we serve. Our bankers work in a team effort to develop a deep understanding of their clients, and work with and on their behalf to develop solutions tailored to meet their needs. In 2016, 1st Century Bank merged with MidFirst Bank, one of the nation’s largest privately held financial institutions and recipient of the highest score in the southwest region in the 2018 and 2019 J.D. Power U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. This combination of private ownership, a strong capital base and local market focus and expertise allows 1st Century Bank to provide greater scale and opportunity for our clientele while retaining our exceptional service model and the flexible, local decision-making that has distinguished 1st Century Bank.

Our clients know their bankers by their first names and receive personalized service. We do not have silos, so bankers are able to work with their clients on all their banking needs, whether it is financing their home, business, or buying real estate. We are local and make sure every decision, every interaction and every way we do business builds long-lasting relationships and providing the highest level of service. That is what distinguishes 1st Century Bank.

What excites you about your company? 

The bank is constantly growing. There is so much room for opportunity, growth, and success. Additionally, with clients, we are able to have personal interaction instead of answering an 800  number. We know them by name and call/text them comfortably. It brings a great relationship. We don’t have silos at the bank, so I am able to learn all aspects of banking. For example, if you are in the consumer group, you can still sit in on commercial real estate meetings and learn that credit process, if you choose. The bank loves to train and promote from within.

Can you provide advice to students on how to stand out in the 1st Century Bank application process? 

Highlight what about you would make you a great part of the team. What are you passionate about? What do you want to learn? How can 1st Century Bank be a step to reaching that goal?

What kinds of people seem to be successful at 1st Century Bank?

Motivated, team working individuals. People that learn through asking questions and learn from experiences. Training is learning and those who are successful challenge themselves by going the extra mile to learn as much as they can on their own as well as from the resources/people surrounding them.