Joel Schlesinger © Postmedia Network Inc.
Alberta entrepreneurs, meet your bank.
It’s actually no secret to thousands of Albertans that the National Bank of Canada is not your run-of-the-mill financial institution.
Serving Alberta clients for many decades, it has a reputation for its entrepreneurial culture, empowering its team of advisers to help families and businesses grow their opportunities.
“The approach we take is a little more unique than our peers,” says Robert Hayes, regional president Prairies, for National Bank, Canada’s sixth largest financial institution.
“You need the right mindset to work at National Bank of Canada, even more so out west in Alberta — and that mindset is being entrepreneurial.”
He points to the long-term relationships advisers have with clients. Indeed, entrepreneurism is foundational at the bank started more than 150 years ago.
“It was started by entrepreneurs who didn’t think the traditional banks served them well,” Hayes notes. “That’s where this whole mindset comes from; it’s rooted in the organization.”
While the bank has changed names through the years, today National Bank of Canada is committed to helping Alberta’s — and Canada’s — economies, particularly during the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. At the same time, the financial institution is steadfast in supporting the province’s energy industry.
“We are 100 per cent committed to them and their operations, and helping them make that transition.”
Hayes further notes these efforts are part of a broader mandate to serve and help build the communities in which the bank operates. That includes providing financial support for cultural institutions such as Studio Bell: Home of the National Music Centre in Calgary, and annual United Way campaigns.
“At National Bank of Canada, our goal is to be a great organization in the eyes of our employees, our clients and the communities in which we live and work.”
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.