New Member Profile: Heritage Bank
*Photo by Headshots Eugene, provided courtesy of Heritage Bank
Heritage Bank opened a new office in the area, and to welcome them to the Springfield Chamber and the community we recently talked with Heather Gabbert, Vice President, Relationship Banking Officer.
Tell us a little about Heritage Bank.
The name “Heritage Bank” may be new to the area, but it dates back to 1927 and was founded with the belief that when banks and neighbors work together, great communities grow stronger. Our emphasis is on supporting local businesses, providing exceptional service, and giving back to our communities.
Heather Gabbert, Vice President, Relationship Banking Officer
Where and how did you get your start in the banking industry?
I started my career in banking in 2007 as a teller at Pacific Continental Bank. At the time I was going to school and my mom had worked for PCB and loved it. Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to start my career at the bank’s corporate office and get to know many departments and great people. I became immersed in the culture of working with HEART (High Standards, Entrepreneurship, Appreciation, Relationship and Teamwork). Over the years I held positions in the retail branch, including supervising and managing a team. Working behind the scenes, I was processing all of the bank’s ACH transactions –international and domestic wires – directly to and from the Federal Reserve. After spending a couple of years away from direct client contact, I joined the commercial team. I celebrated my 10-year anniversary with PCB before they were acquired by Columbia Bank. To this day, some of my closest friends and mentors are the people I started working with at the office at 7th and Olive.
What should the community know about Heritage Bank?
My colleagues and I opened the 50th office for Heritage Bank this summer, in Eugene. Our local team includes commercial bankers who have worked in this community for decades, each having 10 – 30 years of experience. Our team works together to serve the unique needs of each client. We offer the full suite of solutions that your organization may need and pride ourselves in supporting local-area nonprofits through giving and volunteering.
Heritage Bank’s Volunteer Day at Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley. They closed offices across their footprint, from Eugene to Bellingham, and had around 500 employee volunteers, approximately 1,500 hours of service in just one afternoon. Heritage Bank is proud to have team members involved in diverse and varied civic and community projects that serve and improve the communities where they live and work.
What do you like most about your work?
Heritage Bank recognizes and appreciates the importance of creating an environment where all employees feel valued and empowered to do their best work. The bank understands that each individual’s unique experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints add value to our ability to be the leading commercial community bank in the Pacific Northwest. Heritage is focused on employee empowerment – and in return, we can help our clients achieve their goals.
Anything new and exciting you’d like to share?
Heritage Bank formed its own Community Development Entity (CDE) to expand the financing we bring to businesses in low-income communities in Washington and Oregon. We are one of only a handful of CDEs in both states able to facilitate these loans. We’re using our own capital to make loans to businesses operating in these communities on better rates and terms with more flexibility than the market. The program was funded with $50 million from Heritage Bank and encourages investment in small businesses and commercial real estate located in underserved communities.
Heritage Bank was founded in 1927 with the belief that when banks and neighbors work together, great communities grow stronger. They are headquartered in Olympia, Washington, and offer full-service branches from Portland, Oregon, to Bellingham, Washington, and now in the Springfield/Eugene area. Heritage Bank offers a complete array of banking services and tools for businesses, as well as individuals.
