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Labeled "America's Most Convenient Bank", Commerce
Bank has provided for their customers for 31 years. One
of their New York branch managers, Mr. Jeffrey Covington,
explains why Commerce is one of the best banks, “The
biggest reason is because we’re open 7 days a week
and 7-8 hours during the day. We’re located in all
5 boroughs, Long Island and the metro Tri-State area.”
Jeffrey Covington has been in Banking for 5 years. A former
employee of City Bank and Fleet Bank, Covington has an MBA
in Management. When asked about his career, Covington replied,
“It has its ups and downs. This is by far the best
team I’ve worked with because they understand what
I want to accomplish. But it definitely has its ups and
downs. When you tell someone what to do, it’s hard.”
Business is by far the most popular major college students
choice and often the applicants are unaware of the displeasures
and difficulties of Business. “The best advice I can
give,” says Covington, “is be honest with yourself
and your staff, expect to work long hours and learn to be
patient.”
If you’re affiliated with an organization and you’re
seeking financial help, then there’s a solution. Commerce
Bank has programs that are convenient for your circumstances.
“We have a lot of different programs. The Affinity
program is what we use to promote for our not-for-profit
organizations. We have a first-time homeowners program,
a program for people over the age of 50, we have a program
for young children.” The Affinity program has been
set up since the birth of the Bank itself. “Mr. Vernon
Hill is the founder of Commerce Bank and the Affinity Program,”
says Covington. “It’s designed to help those
in need of the customer service.” It is also visually
clear that Commerce helps those of other circumstances such
as ethnic background. When you walk into the Bank, take
a look around. Majority of the faces you see working and
making financial transactions are African American.
However, if you want to apply for these programs, specifically
the Affinity program, you have to meet
some requirements. “[The program supports] not-for-profit
organizations.” The bank’s program has given
$38 million to non-profit organizations who concern helping
their communities. However, your organization cannot have
just two or three people affiliated with your organization.
“Qualification for the Affinity program must have
a certain amount of people involved.”
But wait! Isn’t there a catch? “The bank benefits
because the more people giving back to the community.”
The Affinity Program is the setup of a mutual relationship;
when you’re applying and you’re qualified, your
financial achievement from the program helps you encourage
others in and outside your organization to initiate accounts
at Commerce Bank.
The Bank’s First Step Mortgage program was designed
for those who are buying their own home for the first time
and have an income that is too low to support their down
payments and closing costs. Commerce helps by reducing their
payments. The Bank has offered more than $267 million and
3,500 loans for homebuyers the past year.
Commerce offers a program for high school upper-class men
called Camp Business. The program is provided for students
interested in the Business Department as a career and/or
college major, requires no fees at all and introduces students
to the business world. Camp Business also offers an educational
program, for students who are from elementary and high school
(and exclusively live in the Philadelphia area), for the
purpose of understanding finance. Scholarships are also
offered for those who plan on entering a vocation school
for technology and those who have helped their community
volunteer-wise.
“The programs are designed to be simple,” says
Covington, “so people are comfortable to utilize them.”
“I think [my staff and I] have fun because we work
together well. The more you work hard, the more benefits.”
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