LAWTON – Redcoat Ambassadors with the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce along with business and community leaders met Monday morning to welcome Lawton’s newest banking establishment.
“Bank of Commerce has been in Duncan since 1998 and we’ve done a lot of business in Lawton over the years, but never had a physical presence here,” said Bank of Commerce president and CEO David Ferrell. “As we looked through our strategic planning, it just made sense to us to become part of the Lawton community.”
Bank of Commerce expanded its presence in southwestern Oklahoma with its sixth branch. Located at 1311 NW Sheridan Road, it was a calculated move, said Ferrell. In addition to the Duncan and Lawton branches, Bank of Commerce has grown to include two locations in Anadarko, one in Carnegie and one in Chickasha, to provide customers an array of personal and commercial banking needs.
“Our niche has always been commercial and ag lending, commercial real estate, C&I (Commercial and Industrial),” added Ferrell.
“It’s not just lending,” said Nathan Harbert, Bank of Commerce’s commercial loan officer. “One of the things that is great about Bank of Commerce is that we try to utilize resources within the community. If we have someone who wants to start a business, Great Plains Technology Center has a great incubator and Cameron University’s Small Business Development are there to help them work through the process.
“98% of all businesses in this country have 10 or fewer employees,” added Harbert. “When you get to know the business owners and help them succeed, it’s fun. You get to connect with them.”
Mortgage manager Brian Bermingham added that with near historic low rates, customers are looking to buy new homes or refinance existing loans. He looks forward to meeting with homebuyers and homeowners to help with their needs.
Lawton branch manager Amanda Roach said, “Bank of Commerce is all about relationship banking.” The bank offers online services, same-day debit cards, savings options, IRAs, CDs health savings accounts as well as commercial savings accounts.
“We are excited that Bank of Commerce chose to invest in Lawton-Fort Sill,” said Dr. Krista Ratliff, president and CEO of Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. “Their effort to support small businesses and our community is wonderful, and it mirrors their excellent level of customer service.”
Although no plans have been established, Ferrell believes Bank of Commerce will continue to grow across the region without sacrificing service to existing customers. “We’re out for growth, but it’s got to be strategic for us,” he added. “But the main thing is to focus on our relationships within the communities we serve.”