How to Get the Most Out of Your Business Banking Relationship
Why Personalized Banking Matters More Than Ever
In today’s digital world, finding the fastest and most efficient banking solutions for your business is important. It’s easy to believe the answer lies in finding the right app. But if you want to get the most out of your banking relationship, digital tools are only one piece of the puzzle.
While technology has transformed how clients and banks interact, nothing replaces the human factor. That balance – digital convenience paired with real expertise – is what defines a strong commercial banking relationship today. Here’s how and why to choose a banker who puts clients first.
Why (and When) Physical Bank Locations Still Matter
Digital banking has accelerated in recent years. Accenture research reveals that 63% of customers turn to a physical branch, especially for help with complex issues. That’s a great way to handle your banking business in the most efficient way for your workflow.
Still, at a convenient physical bank branch, you can:
- Order and pick up cashier’s checks for real estate escrow and other large transactions
- Conduct occasional wire transfers (best for infrequent users; regular transfers can be conveniently set up online)
- Manage cash handling and deposits (useful for small businesses without armored car service)
- Deposit occasional checks without worrying about mailbox security
Meet face-to-face with your banker to open new accounts, secure business financing or access treasury management services. To enhance our customers’ banking experience, Western Alliance Bank continues to add physical banking locations across the country. Your advisors are ready to provide personalized guidance and support for every aspect of your banking relationship, tailored to your unique business needs. It’s all part of how Western Alliance focuses on delivering the tools businesses need as a leading national bank that offers local expertise where and when it matters most.
Banking Partners That Meet You Where You Are
When it comes to growing your bottom line, the best solution is a bank that combines accessibility and the right technology with a human touch, as well as industry expertise to deeply understand your business. Read our client stories that illustrate our personalized approach.
Video-calling technology makes it easier than ever to meet face-to-face, no matter where you are. Whether in the office or on the ground, virtual meetings are an efficient way to communicate in real-time to establish financial strategies or address challenges.
For banking partners who go the extra mile, touring facilities, seeing production lines, walking an office or reviewing treasury management services and solutions provides deeper knowledge that leads to better credit decisions and more tailored structures. In-person or video visits can also give your banker a better understanding of nuances that might be obstacles for a bank where you’re more anonymous and subject to automated or rigid underwriting standards.
In contrast, across Western Alliance, you’ll find bankers who design tailored financial solutions for where you are today, and where growth is taking your business.
Gain a Competitive Advantage From In-Person Banking
Online banking is a great tool for reporting, initiating transactions, and leveraging security products and services. But for companies in growth mode, personalized and in-person banking often delivers more value. A strong banking partner should help you answer three key questions.
1. What solutions would you recommend for my business needs?
Relationship banking should focus on you and your needs. Look for a banking partner that understands your business and the landscape you operate in. With this expertise, your banker can offer guidance on optimizing accounts, tailoring deposit strategies to improve returns, and navigating challenges so you can stay focused on running your business.
2. Are your lending options flexible?
Online-only and large money-center banks often rely on rigid lending structures. As a business-focused bank with expertise across more than 30 industries, Western Alliance offers the flexibility to structure solutions around client needs rather than forcing them into a one-size-fits-all model.
3. What are your cross-functional capabilities?
If you’re juggling multiple banks, it may be time to find a partner that can do it all. Selecting a bank that supports multiple lines of business allows you to consolidate services, simplify operations, potentially access a preferred rate structure and build a more strategic, long-term relationship.
Valued-Added Technology Integrations and Efficiency Solutions
Relationship banking provides more than personal service. It also provides access to technology and efficiency solutions that help businesses operate more effectively. Efficiencies increase, margins improve and risk declines when your banking partner:
- Knows your business
- Looks out for your financial well-being at every stage of the cycle
- Visits and understands your operations
- Recommends business-enhancing tools, like streamlined processes and system integrations
- Helps you optimize a new or existing commercial credit card program to secure larger rebates and streamline accounts payable (AP) processes
- Recommends a specific portfolio of tools to strengthen fraud protection
Tailored Banking Solutions Help You Solve Today and Succeed Tomorrow
Success requires the right blend of people and technology. Businesses need advanced tools that make banking faster, safer and more efficient. The right bank can also put a powerful tool on your side: an experienced, expert banker who serves as a trusted advisor and is invested in your company’s long-term success.
At Western Alliance Bank, we’re here when you need us with the technology, expertise and personalized service your business needs. Connect with one of our relationship-driven bankers to learn how we can support your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apps and online platforms are great for simple transactions, like depositing checks and paying bills. But other transactions require visiting a bank location, such as to secure a cashier’s check or make an occasional wire transfer. (Routine wire transfers can be set up online for your convenience.) More complex financial activity and solutions, like managing multiple lines of business, commercial card programs and financial planning, are best done one-on-one.
Whenever you need to. Whether resolving a pinch point or managing long-term planning, your banker is your financial partner. At Western Alliance Bank, our financial experts across 30-plus industries are there when our clients need us.
Fintechs often tout convenience, but they lack the range of services, solutions and – importantly – protections of a bank. Banks comply with stringent regulatory requirements. Crucially, FDIC member banks, like Western Alliance, protect your funds with automatic federal depository insurance. When an issue arises, a fintech may leave you dealing with a chatbot or knowledge base. Having a relationship banker you can reach by phone, email, text or in person means you can get the assistance you need, when you need it.
Your banking partner looks out for your financial security by reviewing your cash management processes and systems and proactively recommending solutions that strengthen treasury management solutions and fraud protection. Western Alliance offers an array of more secure payment solutions, including lockbox, remote deposit, eZePay and ACH origination, plus tools like Check Positive Pay, Reverse Positive Pay and ACH Positive Pay to safeguard accounts payable.
As a business-focused bank, Western Alliance offers the flexibility to structure solutions around client needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model. Our banking experts gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of your business, which can illuminate or mitigate factors that may be obstacles for some banks’ automated or rigid underwriting standards.
With a deeper understanding of your financial systems and processes, your banker can recommend end-to-end solutions to refine your treasury management strategy to improve cash flow. We can help you reduce manual processes (and risk!), increase speed and efficiency, and strengthen governance and security.
Yes, many. Selecting a bank that supports multiple lines of business allows you to consolidate services, simplify operations and build a more strategic, long-term relationship. Consolidating your banking with one institution may also allow you to benefit from relationship rates. Western Alliance has the depth and the customer-focused bankers to tailor solutions for your entire portfolio.
Technology provides advanced tools that make banking faster, safer and more efficient. An experienced, expert banker who serves as a trusted advisor and is invested in your company’s long-term success understands how your business operates and the industry you are operating in. Technology plus people optimizes your business potential.
Western Alliance Bank
Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL) is one of the country’s top-performing banking companies and has ranked as a top U.S. bank by American Banker and Bank Director since 2016. Its primary subsidiary, Western Alliance Bank, is a leading national bank for business that puts customers first, delivering tailored business banking solutions and consumer products backed by outstanding, personalized service and specific expertise in more than 30 industries and sectors. With $90 billion in assets and offices nationwide, Western Alliance excels at helping businesses of all sizes capitalize on their opportunities to solve today and succeed tomorrow.