By Tina Ding, Business Watch

Banking patrons enter a grand foyer at BNC National Bank in downtown Bismarck. That foyer is a financial resource. Their individual bank patrons can find the finance information or the mentoring they require regardless of the depth of their need.”Our receptionists greet customers as they walk through the doors of BNC,” marketing president Jerry D. Renk said, “Attentive to the varying needs of each customer, they guide individuals to those areas of specific need.”

BNC stands on the belief that quality customer service is an essential baseline to any business. Employees recognize the need to provide this level of excellence in addition to taking it “to the next level”, by making an impact on each client.

Experienced loan officers with flexible rates and bankers who care about client’s businesses define BNC National Bank.

BNC’s staff becomes focuses on each individual person or business, learning every aspect of the business. As banking counselors, they find financial components and resources for every need. No matter the business, those seeking commercial lending advice or financing will find a team approach with this banking group. BNC partners with each business to provide cutting edge banking technology as well as customized service.

“It’s all about presenting an expert team – not merely a lending team – to the community,” Renk said.

Co-founded in 1990 by two successful businessmen, (Greg Cleveland and Tracy Scott), BNC National Bank began as a community bank with customized commercial banking services for the small to mid-sized business. Offering commercial lending and commercial real estate lending which build upon long-term banking partnerships, BNC differentiates and customizes solutions – as opposed to cookie-cutter business – found in other banking institutions offering minimal choices.

Rather, they have created a dynamic banking approach to lending by developing a proprietary pricing model for individualized customer relationship building. Customers’ loan pricing is based upon the number of multiple relationships they maintain with BNC. The more relationships, the deeper the discounts – the greater the efficiency in their business operation.

Appropriately, BNC’s vision statement reflects the partnered relationship with their clients or the community as a whole: Delivering financial solutions business people demand.

It’s not a statement for employees to take lightly. So much a part of who they are – of the ideals they represent – they’ve inserted two critical words to this statement. Trusted advisors.

Internally, the statement is fondly referred to as: Trusted advisors delivering financial solutions business people demand.

This gives BNC a convincing identity from within. Staff focuses on personal banking issues as well as delving into helping businesses grow. Having learned a multitude of businesses by way of working as a consulting team, the employees possess a wealth of knowledge. This team then works as advisors or consultants – relied upon for finding those banking solutions.

No matter the stage of the business, it’s this level of expertise a business owner seeks from a financial institution. It’s for those small business owners who’ve found a product or service niche needed in the community. From considering the viability of the business to the formulation of a business plan, an array of people are embedded within to recognize the needs of this customer and to serve them.

BNC is also for those business owners prepared to grow their business, ready to forge ahead with a management team or hire additional employees. For those established businesses needing to plan for tomorrow’s business. Sell the business? Pass it to another generation?

“When a company becomes large enough to establish a CEO – one person providing direction – it may be time to begin trusting portions of the operations to other people,” Renk said. “Small business owners are assigned a team which provides a personal banking representative, a commercial lending representative, and a wealth manager – with one of these representatives leading the relationship.” Additionally Renk said BNC has certified financial planners, certified trust advisors, 401k experts, and retirement fund advisors on staff.

Further, the bank maintains several other divisions, including a retail department and an accounting department. They also operate a human resources department and house their corporate offices in the Bismarck location.

Staffing nearly 100 employees, this firm finds it essential to create joy in the workplace. A dedicated celebration committee arranges ‘hoopla’ celebrations honoring career benchmarks or career coursework. Meeting every six weeks for a themed breakfast event or coffee and donuts – they keep morale high.

For the staff, it’s this focus on company wins and bolstering morale that conveys a positive message to the community.

A registered bank holding company, BNCCORP, Inc. offers a variety of financial products and services. Since financial needs vary among clients, this relationship-driven company continually develops specialized resources for ever-changing needs.