5 signs you have the right commercial banker

For your banker to truly understand your business, communicating well matters. That means they’re asking you thoughtful questions that lead to deep conversations about your business, your industry, and your market—and listening closely to your answers.

“We don’t go into any relationship thinking we know what your needs are before we’ve had a conversation with you,” says Hughes. “For example, we might know you need capital, but we’re not going to suggest a funding strategy until we know what your goals are for that capital.”

In initial conversations, your relationship manager will ask questions about where your business has been, where you want it to go, and what could stand in the way of you meeting your objectives. As you move through the business lifecycle, the conversations will evolve to reflect your changing needs and goals.

“I like to think of our bankers as communication accelerators,” says Hughes. “Our conversational approach helps us anticipate concerns before you can articulate them.”

Once your banker understands your business, they should bring ideas to you. A strong partner proactively shares trends, risks, and opportunities.

Say you plan to grow your company through acquisition. Instead of waiting for you to identify a target, your Truist relationship manager will work with the bank’s industry specialty teams to analyze the competitive landscape and offer up potential M&A targets.

“If we know you’re acquisitive, we can have our industry partners be on the lookout for companies in your sector, geography, or adjacent industries that are open to a sale and could be a good fit,” says Jim Geuther, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania regional president at Truist.

Geuther says even when you don’t have an acquisition in mind, he sees value in demonstrating what’s possible by suggesting financing structures for potential acquisition scenarios.

“We could show you a side-by-side comparison of how we would finance a small tuck-in acquisition versus a more transformational purchase,” says Geuther. “Presenting proactive ideas helps clients evaluate opportunities sooner and make more informed decisions.”

Technology makes it easier than ever to connect with your banker, but convenience alone doesn’t replace local insight. A banker with a strong presence in your market can bring a deeper understanding of regional economic trends, industry dynamics, and business opportunities that may affect your company.

“Truist’s regional banking model puts commercial bankers in the places where you live and work,” says Hughes. “That allows our relationship managers to maintain deep roots in the communities we serve while also having access to the national resources of one of the country’s largest banks.”

Hughes says that local connectivity is what enables relationship managers to bring the whole bank to their clients. They can include industry specialists, corporate finance experts, or any other relevant teammates for in-person meetings.

“Having everyone in the room together can spark conversations around topics that may not naturally come up otherwise,” says Hughes. “It’s a repeatable, client-centric way for us to strengthen our relationships and continue getting to know your business.”

For business owners, business finances and personal wealth are intrinsically linked. When a company accounts for the majority of your net worth, it’s often difficult to separate the business from the personal. That’s why an attentive financial partner will intentionally integrate personal wealth management advice with commercial banking advice.

At Truist, relationship managers often team with Truist Wealth advisors to ensure they’re helping you meet both your personal financial priorities and the business’s objectives. Decisions you make for the company can impact your family, just as personal financial decisions can impact the business. It’s important to understand and plan for that intersection.

“That’s the importance of relationship managers being able to have early conversations with you, so they can identify your needs and then surround you with the appropriate team to help you meet your goals,” says Hughes.

The best banking partners help you see around corners, not just solve the issue in front of you. By choosing a banker who listens deeply, understands your industry, brings proactive ideas, stays connected locally, and considers your personal financial needs, you can build a relationship that truly supports your next stage of growth. Start by using this framework to assess what’s currently working, identify any gaps, and begin a strategic conversation about your banking needs.