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W O R K F O R M E / S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 26 B anks, like companies across many other sectors, recently in- creased their minimum wage in hopes to attract new workers. In the past year, Maine's two largest banks each raised the rate they pay entry-level employees. Bangor Savings Bank raised its minimum wage $2, to $18 an hour, while Camden National increased its minimum wage to $17, and gave all employees a 3% bump in wages. In addition to higher wages, banks have a lot more to offer potential entry level employ- ees — perks many job seekers may not be aware of, says one trade official. "Over the past five or more years we started to realize a lot of people perceive jobs in banks as frontline persons, tellers," says Kathy Keneborus, president of government re- lations at the Maine Bankers Association. That perception — that entry- level positions are limited to the teller spot — has hampered recruiting. Banks offer a myriad of other positions, in IT, mar- keting and other lesser-known positions like cyber security and risk mitigation. Keneborus notes there is a lot of room for advancement. "Someone can start as a so- cial media manager and move up to head of the marketing department," she says. Rising through the ranks Brandon Plourde, of Camden National Bank, is one example of how advancement in banking can happen behind-the-scenes. Plourde started out as a part- time teller and moved through several different roles, includ- ing financial analyst, treasury analyst, budget and financial analyst II, to his current position as assistant vice president of financial planning and analysis manager. All this in nine years with the bank. "The bank truly recognizes hard work and dedication by providing opportunities for every employee to advance their ca- reers," says Plourde, who took ad- vantage of the company's tuition reimbursement program for his senior year at the University of Maine and completed Camden National's internal leadership development program. Banks have a strong focus on professional development, says Keneborus, who sees a job in banking as a great opportunity for recent high school grads who aren't sure what they want to do. With the tuition reimbursement programs most banks offer, em- ployees can pursue degrees in areas that interest them while working a steady job. Some even offer internships. The Maine Bankers Asso- ciation developed an advertis- ing campaign to highlight the diversity of opportunities in banking. Its "Find Yourself in Banking" campaign kicked off in February to raise awareness of all the opportunities careers P H O T O / D A V E C L O U G H F i n a n c i a l S e r v i c e s Brandon Plourde, an assistant VP of financial planning an anaylsis manager at Camden National Bank, started as a part-time teller. C O N T I N U E D O N PAG E 2 8 » The bank truly recognizes hard work and dedication by providing opportunities for every employee to advance their careers. MONEY MATTERS Beyond Careers in Maine banks offer opportunities and perks beyond recent wage hikes B Y C A T I E J O Y C E - B U L A Y