What’s in a name: Chief Relationship Officer

Marc Ernest joined Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union ($1.4B, Chadds Ford, PA) in 2008 after several years as a branch manager in the community banking world. He held several branch management roles within the cooperative until he became FMFCU’s chief relationship officer in August 2017.

He’s had a natural career progression, but not for the most obvious reasons. His current title typically speaks to relationships with individual consumers, but in this case, it’s about building relationships with the businesses while becoming their banker, too.

As part of role, Ernest assumed the leadership of new business development teams focused on lending, deposits, cash and wealth management, and even financial education. And so far, so good.

“We’re ahead of the curve when it comes to commercial accounts,” Ernest says. “We’re opening just more than 500 new ones a year right now and adding $40 million to $50 million in new commercial loans.”

 

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