An update on an old topic

(Warning, lots of bank talk ahead.)

On August 1st, I left my job as stay-at-home mom for an awesome opportunity at a bank very close to my home. Full story here.

I started this position supporting three loan officers, but 1 of them more than the other. We had a very clear vision of how we were going to grow the Commercial business in our area. He and I had  compatible personalities. Coming to work was fun. We were on our way toward a thriving and very profitable Commercial portfolio for our bank.

On the morning of September 25th, everything changed.

My boss was gone for training and I was at the office, working away. Every employee was instructed to sit in on a mandatory conference call. I clicked my speakerphone button, started sipping coffee and shuffling papers.

The droning of Corporate Presidents began. I was barely paying attention until I heard, “We are thrilled to announce the merger of our bank with ______ Bank.”

That word. Merger.

For me, it’s synonymous with “Job Loss.” “Change.” “Uncertainty.” “Anxiety.”

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My boss came back a few days later, heartbroken. His hopes and dreams for our team had evaporated. Our bank had been bought by another, so calling it a merger was ridiculous. There were established Commercial Loan Officers at the bank that bought us. He wasn’t sure of his future and he was the first to admit that he hates change.

We carried on business as usual for a little while.

Then, at the end of November 2012, my boss resigned and went to another bank. It was quite a surprise, but a move that I understood considering the uncertainty of where our bank is going. I thought to myself, “This is a big deal, but there is still another loan officer to support here.”

That loan officer resigned two weeks ago.

I absolutely, 100% panicked.

Common sense would say that if you are supporting 3 loan officers, but the two at your branch have resigned, then support is no longer needed.

Fortunately for me, I am needed and have been told so many times. The third loan officer (from a different branch that I rarely assisted) has now moved to this branch. We have split up the work between several employees and we are getting it done. Day by day.

I actually closed a $3.4 million loan on Friday with a very prominent local family. There were no issues and everything went smoothly. I’m kind of proud of that :)

On the other side of the coin, there is still uncertainty. I am no closer to an answer about my position than I was on that day. I honestly don’t know what this merger means for me. There has been a lot of “through the grapevine” information, but nothing concrete.

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Plain and simple, I could lose my job. I could keep it. If I keep my job, there is a chance that my role will change at the new bank. Now that the Holidays are over, I expect more information to start rolling downhill.

I’m so disappointed that this position fell apart almost a quickly as it came together. I am trying to remain optimistic. I keep telling myself that it will all make sense in the end.

 

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Please say a prayer for me, if you think about it. I don't know what the future holds, but this is what I do know.

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Love,