Her Story
About Rachel
I manage a portfolio at Regions in our private wealth management group, where every day brings something different. My primary job is to manage client relationships, and the foundation of what we do is planning - everything from cash flow analysis and retirement planning to estate planning and business succession. If a client wants to sell their company, I make sure their balance sheet is positioned well and they have the right people around the table. I also handle all banking needs, from opening simple accounts to creating creative financing solutions for company acquisitions. What I love most is that I have the privilege of leaning on a team of experts to support me. Each client has me as their wealth advisor and primary point of contact, but behind me are all the other experts like lending advisors, trust advisors, and wealth strategists. Sometimes I'm juggling client issues, and sometimes it's really fun stuff like meeting somebody new and learning about them and their family. I've been in the wealth management division for 6 years, and before that I spent 5-6 years in commercial banking where I became passionate about working with entrepreneurs - they're such a special breed. I started with Regions as a branch manager, and I actually made company history when I hit Chairman's Club with two of my branches, which has never been done before. My clients are very loyal and wonderful at referring their friends and family, which I find to be just a wonderful compliment.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say focus and the willingness to learn, and the ability to lean on and surround myself with smart people. I don't have to know all of the answers, but I certainly can find them out and bring in the person who does. I'm very good at building relationships with families, getting to understand their priorities and their hardships, and helping them meet whatever those goals and objectives are. I do it through the lens of a relationship, not just a transaction. My clients are very loyal and are wonderful at referring their friends and family, and I find that to be just a wonderful compliment.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Our core values at Regions include 'do the right thing,' and I've found that as long as you're doing the right thing and trying to do the right thing for the right reason, things seem to turn out okay.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The finance world is an incredible industry for women to be in. It is a relationship-driven industry, especially in client-facing roles like mine. I think it's important to remember to do the right thing and put your client's needs first. We are fiduciaries, and I don't think there's a more powerful way to go about doing business than putting your client's needs above your own - that resonates with folks. Stay true to your core values and work hard. Always be learning, because there's always something new to learn. Those would be my top suggestions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
From a banking standpoint, there are a lot of mergers going on, and banks are trying to figure out how to compete with the e-banks of the world. But in the wealth management division, people still want to talk to a person. They want a team surrounding them and providing them and their family great advice. I think it's important to make sure you and your team are on top of what's going on, not just in the market and the economy, but legally - estate laws and such. Everybody's trying to swim upstream and hunt for those larger clients, and those clients do need a lot of help. I have a very unique setup in what I do here in my area, so I'm not seeing a lot of competition in exactly what I do.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Do the right thing and put others first. I think it's critical to be authentic. All of those values translate into both work and family.
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