GENTRY -- Twenty-five years ago on the Monday following the Decatur Barbecue (Aug. 6, 1990), Marc Burden began what would turn out to be a career in the banking industry. He worked as a part-time employee of Decatur State Bank while completing his degree work at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and worked as a bank teller and anywhere else he was needed. Today he is a vice president for Grand Savings Bank and is over the Gentry branch of the bank.
Instead of becoming an agriculture teacher as he had originally planned, he went to work for the bank full-time after completing his bachelor's degree and has continued to work for the bank ever since, even through the transition to new owners and managment when Decatur State Bank was purchased by Chambers Bank and then, as it is now, Grand Savings Bank.
"I started at the bottom of the ladder," Burden said, "doing whatever needed to be done."
He has worked as a teller, a loan officer, an assistant vice preseident and in his current role as vice present over the Gentry Branch of Grand Savings Bank. He took over the top spot in Gentry when Paul Galyean retired in 2011. But the title doesn't mean as much to him as the work he does.
"Titles don't mean that much." Burden explained. "I still do the same work, helping customers achieve their goals and dreams," he said.
The banking industry has changed much over his years as a banker, and there are many more rules and regulations than when he first started. But even though his job is more complicated, helping people is what Burden likes best and what has kept him working at it for 25 years.
"I like the people here and the community," Burden said. "This is a great area to live and work. It's the best place I can think of," he added.
With the recent downturn in the economy, Decatur State Bank and many of its customers went through some difficult times. But the aquisitions by Chambers Bank (in 2012) and then by Grand Savings Bank (last year) all took place at just the right time, Burden said, putting the bank back on sound financial footing and making it possible to again offer customers the help and services they need.
And Burden had nothing but praise for his employees at the Gentry branch of Grand Savings Bank. He said he knew of no plans to honor him on his 25th anniversary but said he would rather see the bank honor his branch employees for all their hard work and great customer service.
"They're the ones who do most of the work. They are on the front line in serving our customers," he said.
Carla Martinez, market president of the Gentry and Decatur branches said working with Burden has been a great experience. She called him "very pleasant, professional and a team player."
"Marcus leads by example and has an excellent work ethic," Martinez said, calling him "the most loyal person that you will ever find. He's loyal to the community, Grand Savings Bank, his coworkers and loved ones," she said.
Burden is involved in numerous community and school activities, she said, "and is always willing to lend a hand at whatever is needed."
About Grand Savings Bank
Grand Savings Bank is a $300 million dollar community bank, headquartered in Grove, Okla., with locations in Jay, Okla., and Bentonville, Rogers, Decatur, Gentry and Siloam Springs in Arkansas. Grand Savings Bank's mission is to provide community banking with superior service and state-of-the-art technology. Additional information may be found at www.grandsavingsbank.com.
General News on 07/29/2015