Member Spotlight: First Citizens Bank

Every BNI chapter has one seat per profession, and at BNI A1 Networkers the banking seat belongs to Lisa Gill of First Citizens Bank.

What First Citizens Bank offers

First Citizens Bank serves both individuals and businesses. Its offerings include:

• Personal banking for individuals and families
• Business banking for owners who want accounts and services built around how their company runs
• Mortgages and loans
• Credit cards
• Wealth management
• Mobile banking through the First Citizens app for iOS and Android

Having a banker in the chapter is valuable because almost everyone in the room needs one. Every member runs a business, and every one of their clients has a financial life too.

Why a banking relationship matters

A lot of people pick a bank once and never think about it again. That works until it does not. Business owners in particular tend to discover gaps at the worst time: when they need financing to buy equipment, when payroll grows, or when they realize their personal and business money have been tangled together for years.

Having a real person to call makes a difference. A banker who knows you can help you think through options before you are under pressure, instead of after.

A good time for a financial check-in

August is a natural reset point in the West Valley. Kids are back in school, summer travel is winding down and many businesses are starting to plan for a busier fall and holiday season. It is a good moment to look at how your banking is set up.

A few questions worth asking:

• Are my business and personal finances fully separated?
• Do I have the right accounts for how my business actually operates today?
• If a big opportunity came up this fall, do I know where financing would come from?
• Have I looked at my banking setup since my business grew?
• Am I using the online and mobile tools that could save me time?

If any of those give you pause, that is a great reason to talk to a banker.

How you can refer Lisa Gill

Banking needs come up in more conversations than you might expect. A great referral for Lisa is:

• A business owner who just launched or is about to launch a company
• A self-employed professional still running business income through a personal account
• A business that is growing and may need financing for equipment, vehicles or a new location
• Someone who just moved to the West Valley and needs to set up local banking
• A family thinking about buying a home and wanting to talk about mortgage options
• Anyone frustrated with their current bank who wants a person they can actually call

Accountants, bookkeepers, attorneys, real estate agents and business coaches are great partners for a banker, because their clients often need banking help at the same moment they need them.

To connect someone with Lisa, call 623-815-4304 or point them to firstcitizens.com.

Meet Lisa in person

Lisa is at BNI A1 Networkers every Thursday at 7:00 AM at Brothers Family Restaurant in Peoria. Come say hello. Plan your visit.