Meet Curtis Kavanaugh, Commercial Lender
Curtis is a commercial lender specializing in floorplan and related dealership financing. He has more than a decade of experience in the banking industry having joined TowneBank in 2008 as part of the bank’s Management Associate Program. Curtis earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from James Madison University and is a 2014 graduate of the Virginia Bankers Association School of Bank Management.
Q: What exactly is commercial banking?
A: I like to describe commercial banking as a one-stop shop for our members. We partner with owners of privately owned businesses, large and small, on all aspects of their banking relationship - from basic day to day requests, to expansions and acquisitions, to thinking through their overall strategic vision. The goal is to help our members achieve long-term financial success.
Q: How does commercial banking help our members?
A: Outside of the normal, “blocking and tackling” of banking where we provide products and services, it’s about adding value. Our members know their industries and businesses better than we do, so our job is to listen and then offer financial guidance and insight to help them work through opportunities as well as any potential obstacles.Q: What differentiates TowneBank from other banks?
A: The service we offer is unparalleled. From the top down, there is a genuine desire to help and a commitment to providing a superior member experience. Additionally, our flexibility allows us to develop strategies truly customized to our members and their specific needs.
Q: If someone were debating between banking at TowneBank and another bank, why should they choose TowneBank?
A: Our local decision-making and involvement in the communities we serve truly set us apart from other financial institutions. We understand the local landscape, which allows us to have a better understanding of our members' businesses as well as anticipate any potential needs. Each member is a relationship and a partnership, not a number.
Q: Describe a time when you helped a member out of a difficult situation or helped to solve a problem for them.
A: I think back to the Paycheck Protection Program and the uncertainty in the market at that time, not only with regard to the economy, but also as it related to the program itself. Our members’ livelihoods and the livelihoods of their employees were on the line so there was genuine concern from all parties involved. Throughout this process I made myself available 24/7, spent days at the office, and relayed as much information as I could. When it came time to submit applications we were prepared and able to move quickly and efficiently to take advantage of every possible opportunity.
Q: What is your favorite thing about what you do?
A: I thoroughly enjoy helping people and building relationships. There is nothing more rewarding than partnering with our members as they build their businesses and then watching as they become successful and meet their financial goals.
Q: What are three traits that define TowneBank?
A: Dependable. Versatile. Local.
Q: Name something you’ve learned from one of your members.
A: The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people as well as appreciating, acknowledging, and continually investing in your team. Additionally, compared to business owners, bankers tend to be more financially conservative, so in working with many of my members I have learned a lot about taking calculated risks and the thought process that goes into making those types of decisions.
Q: Where do you see changes coming in commercial banking in the next 2-3 years?
A: With the uncertainty in the economy and the ever-changing regulatory environment, I believe it will be important for banks, and bankers, to become even more flexible and creative in order to adapt with the changing landscape.
