How mentorship has impacted Dave Crittendon’s career in private banking

We spoke with Dave Crittendon, director of UMB Private Bank, to learn more about his career in the private banking industry, the impact of mentorship on him and more.

Tell us about your career trajectory. How did you end up at UMB?

In 1989, I started in the banking industry as a part-time teller in college. Once I graduated, I entered a management training program. From there I worked in new accounts and consumer lending. Next, I moved into the mortgage space. From the mortgage business, I moved into small business lending. I really enjoyed helping businesses and business owners navigate growing their business through all economic cycles. My next move was becoming a commercial lender. This was one of the best and most challenging jobs I have ever had. I did a lot of business with builders and agricultural growers.

In 2011, I began running a portion of a private bank. Being able to relate and understand the daily challenges of business owners gave me an advantage. Since then, I have run two other portions of private banks.

I didn't find UMB - it found me. Six years ago, Paul Williamson, president of UMB Regional Banking, introduced me to the company, and I can honestly say that coming to UMB revitalized my banking career. I wish I had found UMB decades ago.

What have you found most rewarding about working in the private bank industry?

Positively changing families' financial lives has been the most rewarding part about working in the private bank industry. A recipe for success is when you have a client that values your partnership, appreciates and accepts the hard conversations, and is open to options. Another rewarding aspect is knowing that your private bank clients are prepared for all the different life events that can occur. It is so rewarding when a client tells you, "Thank you for helping me be prepared."

What are you passionate about in your career?

Mentoring. I have found the only thing you leave behind is your legacy. Passing on the lessons you have learned, mostly the hard way, to the next generation of private bankers is very fulfilling to me. I am also passionate about making sure to leave my business in a better place than when I started. Being mindful of the future needs of our clients and laying the groundwork to meet those needs is very important to me.

What are you passionate about in the community?

Financial literacy. So many of our younger generations are ill-equipped around money matters. Good and bad money habits start very young. Ensuring that good money habits start before high school is paramount.

I am also passionate about anything to do with children and their health. The Make-A-Wish Foundation‡ and children's hospitals are two things I am passionate about. My twins were born eight weeks prematurely, so I witnessed firsthand the incredible care the team at a children's hospital gave my children.

How have you tackled change in your career?

During the last 35 years in the banking industry, I have worked for four banks and been through many different acquisitions. Each acquisition brought significant changes to the positions and divisions I worked in at that time. Having a great reputation, work ethic and focusing on success enabled me to successfully navigate and make an impact on each of the newly formed banks. I have a saying: "Chaos creates opportunity." Change is inevitable and a chance for us to explore something new or to offer something new to clients. It can be scary, but also a ton of fun to go through change and experience the outcome with a great group of colleagues.

What advice have you received from a mentor who made a big impression on you?

I have received so much sound advice from mentors over the last 30 years. I would suggest the top three include:

• "Inspect what you expect." Close the loop and make sure things you expect from people are actually happening. We are often so busy that we forget to close the loop.
• "You have to give to get." This can be applied to so many parts of our business. The part I like to emphasize the most is around partner referrals. You need to give partner referrals in order to get partner referrals.
• "Separation is in the preparation." Be prepared for everything. Be prepared for that question a client may or may not ask. Be prepared for a presentation you make to your teams. Be prepared for one on ones with your manager. Being prepared gives you confidence, and others feel that confidence.

What do you hope to achieve in your time at UMB?

I want to position the private bank for long-term success. The marketplace for private banking is dynamic and changing. Being able to set the foundation around our people, products and procedures that will enhance our clients' experience in the short and long term is critical to the ongoing success of UMB Private Bank.

What do you think is the biggest strength of our company right now?

Hands down our people and culture. About six months into working at UMB, it hit me. Our people care about each other, our clients, our firm, our reputation and doing what is right. Having previously worked for three of the five largest banks in the country, I can confidently say this is uncommon. I am very proud to say I work for UMB.

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