Excited
Associates
By applying a different set of values to an age-old industry, Pinnacle's founders set in motion a market disruption that has endured through changing regulatory and economic environments.
We earn business and loyalty by attracting the most experienced, high-performing bankers in our markets and assimilating them into a culture that loves them and a bank they're eager to introduce to their clients.
Twenty-three years on, the firm's magnetism for the best bankers in our markets is strong, fueled by major bank mergers and industry austerity that can leave people feeling like an expendable commodity. Professionals will gladly leave a churn-and-burn atmosphere and readily embrace the value of a win-together, lose-together culture where they're trusted to do the right thing and teammates keep commitments to each other.
This attractive proposition catalyzes Pinnacle's growth in new geographic markets and specialty services. In each case, Pinnacle recruits a leader or small team of successful veterans who draw on their established networks and attract a high-performing set of team players. It typically doesn't take long for the ranks to start filling up.
Our hiring model generates steady deposit and loan growth for years beyond each revenue producer's first day on the job as they work to attract their loyal clients to come on board. For Pinnacle, continuous investment in people pays off.
Much of our loan growth is not due to new borrowers showing up at Pinnacle Bank with a new idea to pitch. Our borrowers have extended relationships with our associates over, in many cases, decades of working with each other. This is not just true for Charlotte, Nashville, Charleston and other legacy markets, but that applies to Atlanta, DC, Birmingham and Jacksonville.”
Harold Carpenter, Chief Financial Officer
Pinnacle's values are timeless, underpinning every action and decision, whether the market is bull or bear. As the firm expands its footprint and attracts more associates, the cultural emphasis remains on personal connections with each other. We believe people work best together when they take time to know, appreciate and trust one another. And feeling known and valued is a leading cause of workplace happiness, as measured by our internal work environment survey—a scorecard every bit as important to Pinnacle as the balance sheet.
2023 Work Environment Survey
Many of our associates left the stifling, bureaucratic sales grind at other institutions in favor of a workplace that prioritizes teamwork among experienced professionals who make sound decisions and deliver effective advice. After they arrive, it takes time to realize that no, this isn't too good to be true. We really can eliminate bureaucracy, push autonomy to the local and individual level and give associates the freedom to pursue balance in their lives without it coming at the expense of the bottom line.
Then they stay for the long term. Low turnover produces consistency and shared history for stronger relationships and retention of institutional knowledge, which is the absolute key to a differentiated level of service.
It's great for business: Happy, loyal associates on high-performing teams naturally deliver markedly better client experiences.