Peter B. Stickler, president of Inland Bank & Trust, Oak Brook
Q: Tell us about the company. What do you do?
A: Inland Bank is a relationship focused community bank that produces success by:
• Helping families and businesses achieve their financial goals.
• Encouraging engagement to improve the communities where we work and live.
• Creating a work environment of respect, integrity and teamwork.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: The biggest competition will be not only from other community and commercial banks, but also from non-banking financial service companies that are getting into electronic banking and finance businesses, like Square or Paypal. However, there is one thing these online services can not do like Inland Bank - and that is be a physical, active presence and agent of change for good in the communities we serve.
Q: If you had one tip to give a rookie CEO, what would it be?
A: Always take the time to listen - truly listen --to your customers, community, and employees. They are your best consultants and advisors. And always lead not by words, but by action. As CEO, you must be the example by which others will follow.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: Without a doubt, the biggest trend is the increased use of on-line banking and payment services, and the continued transformation of the traditional bank branch network.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
A: Serving our customers to make their ambitions a reality.
Q: From a business outlook, who do you look up to?
A: Dan Goodwin, the chairman and CEO at The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies Inc. Dan is not only a very successful and accomplished business leader, mentor and friend, but he is also a dedicated civic and philanthropic leader whose engagement in affordable housing and good government are very inspiring. I also admire many of the online business models of companies like Zappos, & Amazon, and the retailing and omni-channel strategies of great retailers like Nordstrom.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: Most people don't know about the extent of our engagement and activitiy in the communities we serve. We are proud to have been recognized by our industry for our efforts, and are thrilled to have received the 2015 Illinois Bank Community Service Award by the Illinois Bankers Association, and the2015 American Bankers Association Community Commitment Award for Volunteerism.
Q: What's new at your company?
A: We have a number of exciting initiatives underway. For businesses, we are currently expanding our commercial real estate and commercial banking products and services. For individuals, we are expanding consumer mortgages, Health Savings Accounts and Bank-at-Work products and services.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: Yes, we are hiring commercial and commercial real estate lending personnel and making technology investments to improve efficiency & service to our customers.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Golf.
Q: What is one funny thing that has happened to you in your career?
A: While playing a friendly game of golf, I accidently bounced a ball off the head of a former company president while working my way out from a sand trap. Thankfully, no one was hurt and he was good natured about it, but it was like something out of a slap-stick comedy.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: "Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault that Changed a Presidency," by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: My first job was mixing paint in high school at US Paint factory in Chicago
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: The Chicago Blackhawks.
- Kim Mikus
Peter B. Stickler
<b>President/CEO</b>Inland Bank & Trust
2805 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Industry: Community Bank
Total assets: $1.1 billion
Revenues: $58 million
Locations: 10 branches in metropolitan Chicago and consumer mortgage offices in 12 states
Number of Employees: 296
Website: Inlandbank.com
Age: 63
Family information: Married with 2 children