Midwest banking institution celebrates two decades of growth by sticking to its core values
As Commerce Bank gathered Oct. 23 at its location in West Chester to celebrate 20 years serving Cincinnati businesses, the message from its leadership was clear: In an era of banking consolidation and constant change, staying the course has proven to be the winning strategy.
“I think a lot of people that read [about us] are with companies that are multi-generational, and they see that [consistency] really resonates with them,” says Steve Bloemer, executive vice president and regional market president for Commerce Bank in Cincinnati.
That difference has fueled Commerce Bank’s steady growth in Greater Cincinnati’s competitive banking landscape. What started as a calculated expansion into Ohio in 2005 has evolved into a thriving regional presence with a focus on privately held, multi-generational businesses—particularly in manufacturing, health care and construction.
Consistency Over Cycles
For John Kemper, president and CEO, the bank’s staying power comes down to a simple philosophy.
“Business banking is such a cyclical business, and there are so many banks that used to be here and are not here, or changed names,” Kemper says. “When that happens, the people that you know at that bank leave, [and] you end up with somebody else. Part of our story has just been consistent relationship over time.”
Commerce Bank was founded in 1865 in Kansas City, Missouri, giving it 160 years of history. Kemper himself represents the sixth generation of his family to lead the institution—a track record that resonates with the family-owned businesses the bank targets.
“We measure relationships not in quarters or years, but decades,” Kemper says. “We hardly ever lose a relationship once we have one. And I think that’s because of the quality of our people and how, in the consistent experience across the cycle, our goal is to be there in good times and in bad, and be consistent in the way that we show up for our customers—with the same people, same credit appetite.”
That stability was proven during the 2008 financial crisis when Commerce Bank was among the banks that didn’t need TARP bailout funds—a point of pride that still carries weight with business clients today.
Building Relationships, Not Just Accounts
The bank’s approach to client acquisition reflects its patience-driven philosophy. Rather than trying to win over a company’s entire banking relationship immediately, Commerce Bank looks for entry points where it can add unique value.
Meyer Tool, Inc., exemplifies this strategy. The Cincinnati-based manufacturer of hot section components for jet engines has been a Commerce Bank client for nearly the entire 20 years the bank has operated in the region.
“We started the relationship with Meyer Tool when they were actually at another bank,” Bloemer says. “We had a specialty in aircraft finance, … so we were able to finance a corporate aircraft for the company under favorable terms. … Before [long], we had the whole relationship.”
It’s a pattern Commerce Bank has repeated throughout Cincinnati. Commerce Bank’s sweet spot is what Bloemer calls “Main Street companies, not Wall Street companies”—privately held businesses in manufacturing, wholesaling and distribution, along with health care and construction firms.
Looking Ahead
As Commerce Bank marks its 20th year in Cincinnati, the bank is positioning for continued growth under consistent leadership. Matt Crossin recently took on the role of president for Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, bringing a career-long focus on privately held clients.
“We’re just so delighted to have Matt here running our corporate banking business in Cincinnati,” Bloemer says. “His whole career has been focused on taking care of privately held clients and helping them grow their businesses.”
For Bloemer, who has led Commerce Bank’s Cincinnati office since its inception, the anniversary is a moment to reflect on what hasn’t changed.
“When I first came to take the leadership of the Cincinnati office for Commerce Bank, I thought [about Commerce Bank being] financially strong, relationship driven, [with] innovative products and great people,” he says. “All those things are still true today. But I think the thing that still resonates with me is that Commerce’s playbook hasn’t changed. We love privately held, multi-generational business. We’re financially strong. We’re a great partner. … That’s how we take care of business. That has not changed over these many years.”
This article was created with AI assistance.
