“Our goal is to always exceed our customers’ expectations.” —Rolf Nelson
What makes Exchange Bank different? “We were born here and grew up here;we understand our customers’needs,”says Rolf Nelson, senior vice president and manager of retail banking and sales.Exchange Bank’s first branch was established in 1890 by Manville Doyle and his son, Frank, in downtown Santa Rosa. Since then, it’s thrived in both economic ups and downs, building its identity as a trusted financial partner with its strong leadership and dedicated employees.
Adding to its reputation of stability, the bank can never be bought or sold. When Frank Doyle died in 1948, he gifted his 50.40 percent interest in the bank to a perpetual charitable trust, giving customers the confidence and reassurance that the bank will remain independent. Today, Exchange Bank has 18 branch locations in Sonoma County and a commercial lending office in Roseville.
Not only does Exchange Bank offer local knowledge, convenience and stability, it also can match what any of the big banks can provide. “We offer all the products and services that any other banks do,” Nelson says. These range from online banking to an innovative brick-and-mortar location at its newly renovated Windsor branch, which it calls “The Branch of the Future.” This new location has an open and spacious layout with both inside and outside areas to discuss banking needs with any of the bank’s team members. Making the environment even more pleasant and comfortable, there’s a beverage brewing station with gourmet coffee and a kids’ technology table with e-tablets to entertain them while their parents conduct their financial business. Other services that help make customers’ lives easier include mobile banking, text alerts, online banking and bill pay, electronic statements, a network of ATMs throughout Sonoma County, loans and lines of credit, and 24/7 telephone banking. “Our goal is to always exceed our customers’ expectations,” Nelson says.
Giving back to the community is another one of Exchange Bank’s core values. The Santa Rosa Junior College Doyle Scholarship was created in 1948 and has donated $80 million to more than 120,000 students so they can achieve their educational goals. The bank has been a corporate sponsor of the Human Race for more than 20 years, participated numerous times in the Relay for Life and is also an annual participant in National Rebuilding Together Day, United Way and Day of Caring. It also donates funds to more than 300 nonprofit and service organizations.
When asked how the bank feels about winning the award this year, Nelson says, “Thank you! We know consumers have choices, and we’re honored that they chose Exchange Bank.”
