Renee White
Senior Vice President, Marketing
First Landmark Bank, Marietta
GBA Marketing Committee Chair
Q: How long have you been in banking, and will you share a little insight with us about how you became a career banker?
I’ve been in banking for 34 years – all in community banks in Cobb County, and all at the de novo banks former GBA Chairman Ron Francis has led.
Q: You wear a lot of hats at your bank. Will you share with us the variety of things you do that are beyond the marketing role?
For most of these 34 years I have been in bank marketing. I have also been in community relations, a corporate secretary, shareholder relations and a transfer agent. In addition to serving bank clients, my clients are the directors and shareholders and the community leaders that partner with us in making a difference in our market.
Q: What are some lessons you learned early on that you still use today?
- Focus on the client experience
- Help to make everyone in the organization look their best to the public
- Proofread!!
Q: What’s the biggest challenge for bank marketers today?
In community banks the biggest challenge is the necessary manpower needed to market across all applications and age groups. In many cases this causes a bank to pick the path of least resistance.
Q: Why do you participate in the GBA Marketing Peer Group and why should your peers do the same?
Over the years, the time I’ve spent at GBA marketing peer groups has been time well spent. There are few places that bank marketers can go locally to hear industry-specific speakers and share ideas with colleagues. The GBA staff and marketing committee work diligently to make each peer group session a growing, learning experience, and I leave eager to get back to the bank and utilize what I’ve taken away from the session.
Q: When you’re not on the job at the bank or working with the GBA Marketing Committee, what do you like to do?
It usually involves creating. I’m more artsy than crafty, and have recently taken up oil painting. I love to sing and play the piano, and I enjoy a good book.