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Profile:
Mark Smith has been a career community banker in Dallas, TX for over 22 years having spent 5 years at Swiss Avenue Bank, 14 years with Inwood National Bank, and most recently being a founding organizer of Professional Bank which opened it doors in January 2004. Mark's lending background spans from small business lending to real estate to private banking for executives and professionals. His strength is in developing long term banking relationships with business owners, real estate investors & developers, and professionals. Professional Bank currently has 3 locations (Lakewood, Park Cities, and Garland) with plans for more branches in 2007.
Credentials:
Mark graduated from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. He currently is on the Board of the Dallas Northeast Chamber of Commerce, a member of the East Dallas Exchange Club, and an Advisory Director of the Youth Achievement Foundation.
Professional Advice:
Ask yourself if your banker knows you. A good banker should get to know their clients and their businesses and over time develop a strong working relationship. Use your banker as a resource and a sounding board.
5 Star Tips
- Get to know your banker. A banker that knows you can be a valuable resource as your company grows.
- Introduce your banker to your CPA, Financial Planner and Attorney. Build your "team" of people and introduce them to each other so that they can collectively work in your best interest.
- Be a communicator. Once you establish a relationship with your banker and are borrowing money, keep in regular communication with how your company is doing.
- Remember that Cash Flow is king. As small business grow, most people look at how much that growth translates into larger sales and more profits. Financing that growth is extremely important so that a company's cash flow is not impaired.
- Assess your current bank and banker. Make a list of what you need from a bank and from a banker. Set an appointment and interview 3 bankers with what your expectations are. Banks and bankers are all different. Find the one that is the right fit for you.
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