KQ Article

When I first heard about the fascinating "Pay It Forward" program launched by North Dakota's State Bank & Trust, it got me thinking about the importance of community involvement. All such amazing acts of altruism come from businesses with a longstanding commitment to being involved. This is not something you conjure up overnight. It has to have been there all along.

Here are some facts about State Bank & Trust that didn't make the article. The bank has had 100% United Way staff participation for several years in a row. During the recent Red River flooding, employees at its Fargo-area branches were given a paid day off to chip in. These are just two of countless examples of the hands-on spirit that arises so naturally at this institution. It's part of the bank's DNA.

I can't help but see parallels to our own version of Pay It Forward, the Deluxe Collaborative. This is our client-centered innovation process for which we invite 15 banking professionals to help us resolve a pressing industry issue. Clients continually thank us for this one-of-a-kind program. But we get so much out of it, too.

The Collaborative allows us to take a highly active role in the financial services community we serve. We get the privilege of working alongside clients toward a common purpose. Our employees gain deep satisfaction from this opportunity to impact the industry in such a meaningful way, and the entire community benefits. What could be better?

I believe that the Collaborative began not in 2004, but more than 25 years ago, when we were creating the Deluxe mission statement. It was then that we decided we would take an active role in meeting the needs of our clients. And amazing things have come from it.

Most banks and credit unions possess a deeply ingrained desire to be involved. Imagine what might happen if your ability to contribute were exercised in an intentional manner, if you packaged a fresh initiative around it. Your own Pay It Forward program might be closer than you think.

_{© 2010 Tom Morefield}