When you are considering joining a new organization, you spend time looking at its history. You want to understand what the institution stands for and whether its values align with your own. Earlier this year, as I prepared to join the Bank of Utah, I did exactly that. I spent time learning how the Bank got its start and what kind of philosophy shaped it.
What I found goes back to 1952. The founders did not wait for people to come to them. They went door to door across the community, bankers and neighbors alike, asking local business owners and residents a simple question: What do you need from your financial partner? They were not focused on quick transactions. They were building something meant to last. From the beginning, the goal was to create a bank that understood the people and industries that keep a community moving forward.
That “listen first” approach is what drew me to this team. As a commercial lender team lead, I have found it is still the most practical way to build a lending strategy that truly fits. Every business has a unique trajectory. To build the right strategy, we must look at where you’re heading, not just where you are.
Building a Network for What’s Next
When you listen closely to a growing business, you quickly realize that growth is rarely a straight line. It is a series of shifts, variables and pivots. Most successful business leaders manage that reality by building a network of support that does not rely on any single source. They develop backup suppliers and a broad client base, so their businesses stay agile.
The same logic applies to your banking. While a mix of financial relationships is common for growing companies, the right composition is what creates real stability. Adding a community bank to that mix brings a local advocate into your circle. You gain a partner who understands the Utah landscape and can move with a speed centralized systems often miss because they are not here on the ground.
“When your partner has deep roots here, your business is built for progress.”
The Three Pillars of a Strategic Partnership
For a growing company, banking serves as a strategic foundation for your success. As your business gets bigger, your needs change. You need a seat at the table with partners who have the actual strength to move the needle. When you evaluate a banking relationship, look for these three pillars:
- Financial Strength: A partner with a strong balance sheet is the business’s best insurance policy. True stability ensures that even when the economy gets bumpy, a financial partner has the liquidity and the local authority to keep supporting a company’s growth without hesitation.
- Modern Tools: Growth makes your cash flow more complicated. A relationship bank provides high-level fraud protection and digital tools that are as robust as any in the industry. The difference is the service. Our team members help you manage your money in real time to make sure your capital is working as hard as you are.
- Customized Lending: Every business is different. A one-size-fits-all loan rarely works for a local Utah company. We build lending plans that fit your specific goals, whether that is a complex construction project or a new equipment purchase.
The Human Element in a Digital World
In an era where many business models prioritize high-volume efficiency and automate off-the-shelf lending packages, it can feel like your vision is being forced into a preset template. If your business does not fit into those specific boxes, the conversation often stalls.
We view our roles differently. We have a professional responsibility to act in our clients’ and team members’ best interests. This means providing more than what is easiest to process. We listen to what you need and prioritize the plans that protect your long-term health, even when those plans require a more nuanced and manual review.
In a relationship bank, a conversation about a loan is about your strategy. Sometimes the most helpful answer is “not yet.” In those moments, an honest perspective protects your company from taking on too much at the wrong time. We can provide the specific steps needed to reach a “yes” or offer an alternative that achieves your goal more effectively.
Moving with Agility
This proximity allows us to move at a speed that centralized systems are not always designed to match. We live and work in the same neighborhoods you do and see the same trends you see. When an opportunity comes up to buy a new building or a competitor goes up for sale, you need a partner you can call on a Tuesday who can give you an answer by Thursday.
Pro-Tip: How to Vet Your Banking Partner
If you are ready to take the next step, look beyond interest rates. You need to know if your bank has the strength to stay with you for the long haul. When you meet with a potential partner, ask the tough questions about their financial health:
- Ask about their capital ratio: Think of this as the bank’s safety net. You want a bank that is well capitalized.
- Ask about their liquidity: This tells you if the bank has money ready to go to support your next project quickly.
- Ask about asset quality: This shows how well the bank manages risk. A bank with very few bad loans is a disciplined bank.
Professional lenders appreciate these questions. It signals that you are a leader who understands the value of stability. In the spirit of transparency, you can always review our latest performance. We are proud of our history and our current standing.
Final Thoughts
We have been part of the Utah business community since 1952. While the tools of trade have evolved, the core of what we do has not. As someone who joined Bank of Utah this year, I am proud to be part of an organization with a long history of listening first and helping businesses move forward. Whether you are looking to move into a new location or for a strategic way to back up your operations, we are here to listen first and help you map out the next chapter. After all, when you have deep roots here, you are built for progress.
Jared Sellers joined Bank of Utah in 2026 as the Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Team Lead in Orem, bringing nearly 30 years of financial expertise to the team. With an MBA from LSU Shreveport and advanced professional credit training, Jared focuses on building smart and sustainable lending strategies for his clients. When he's not at the bank, he’s outdoors in the mountains or on the water with his wife, their three sons and golden retriever.
