Banking

Business First Bank named a ‘Best Bank to Work For’

by Leslie Turk

Spot bonuses to employees who go above and beyond on projects one of several reasons national mag calls BR-based biz bank a cool place to work.

Business First Bank was named one of the "Best Banks to Work For" in the nation this year by American Banker magazine. Forty banks across the country were chosen based on workplace policies, practices and the experiences and attitudes shared by individual employees.

Business First Bank CEO Jude Melville

"We are honored to have achieved this important recognition by American Banker," Business First Bank President and CEO Jude Melville said in a press release. "Most people think of banking as being all about the numbers, but in truth it‘s all about people. Our employees are by far our most valuable asset, and to be nationally recognized by American Banker largely as a result of our employees‘ assessment of their experiences and attitudes with respect to Business First Bank is the highest of compliments."

American Banker highlighted three specific areas that played a role in Business First Bank being named as one of the 2014 Best Banks to Work For. These included its "Dollar for Dollar" program that provides matching donations to charities supported by employees; a program that allows employees at each bank location to select people or groups from their communities, whether clients or not, and reward them with thank-you gifts and donations; and annual employee bonuses based on the profitability of each location and the bank. Spot bonuses are also given to employees who go above and beyond on projects.

Business First Bank is headquartered in Baton Rouge and has six locations around Louisiana, which include Baton Rouge, Houma, Covington, Shreveport, Lafayette and Lake Charles. The commercial/small business lender has approximately $700 million in assets and is owned by more than 300 Louisiana residents who live and work in the markets served by Business First.