"Exchange bank plays a critical role in the development of the communities we serve. This is who we are: It’s our legacy, our mission." —Gary Hartwick
In January 2009, Hartwick joined Exchange Bank as executive vice president and chief credit officer.
Exchange Bank is a full-service financial institution. Since its founding in 1890, the bank has grown from a single branch into an institution with more than $2.0 billion in assets, 19 offices across Sonoma County and commercial lending offices in Roseville, Lafayette and San Jose.
Many changes have taken place in banking since it first opened its doors. As customer demographics shift, Hartwick believes they can expect the number of users seeking a mobile-only banking experience to grow. In this digital age, the bank is constantly seeking new ways to protect customer’s private information in respect to cybercrime. Over the past decade, delivery of retail financial services has continued to expand. With the explosion of mobile banking services, banks also need to continue growing their electronic and digital delivery channels. Exchange Bank is committed to this step, ensuring each delivery channel provides a superior customer service experience. It recognizes the importance and increasing use of online digital channels. However, it hasn’t forgotten the value of the branch network and the connections it provides to the customer and the community.
“Our priorities in 2016 reflect our mission to help our clients and make a difference in our community. We’ll focus on delivering individual customer solutions to build deeper, stronger relationships,” says Hartwick. “Exchange Bank plays a critical role in the development of the communities we serve. This is who we are: It’s our legacy, our mission.”
In 2015, the bank contributed to more than 300 civic and charitable organizations throughout Sonoma and Placer counties. Additionally, its employees give back to their communities with thousands of volunteer hours annually. Each year, Exchange Bank employees and family members participate in Rebuilding Together’s National Rebuilding Day. The last Saturday in April, bank employees join volunteers from coast-to-coast to revitalize the houses of low-income homeowners in their communities to help ensure they live in warmth, safety and independence. The homeowners must be elderly, disabled or families with children who cannot do the work themselves. The volunteers are assisted by skilled tradespeople who also donate their time.
And, of course, there’s the Doyle legacy. In 1890, Frank Doyle co-founded Exchange Bank with his father, Manville Doyle, who served as president until his death in 1916; Frank then served as president until 1948. It was Frank’s last will and testament that Exchange Bank stays a locally owned and managed community institution. His controlling interest (50.39 percent of the common stock) was put into a perpetual trust. The dividends are distributed by the trustees to the Frank P. Doyle and Polly O’Meara Doyle Scholarship Fund for assistance to “worthy young men and women attending Santa Rosa Junior College.” The Doyle Trust has proven to be one of the most remarkable, planned gifts in the history of American community college education. In excess of $82 million in scholarships has been awarded to more than 122,000 students since 1948.
