Pub. 5 2015 Issue 2

Did you think you would be a bank president in Arizona while you were growing up? No, actually I wanted to be an entrepreneur and go into business for myself. My cousin encouraged me to get some financial experience first, so I followed his advice and landed at a bank. I found that I was fascinated by the industry and was pretty good at it, too. Is Arizona a fit for your family compared to Chicago? My wife had just given birth to our second child a few weeks after I accepted the new position. We left most of our family back in Chicago and were somewhat apprehensive about feeling alone in a new state where we really didn’t know anyone. But Arizona has been very welcoming to my family and me. In a short period of time, we have met some really great people who are becoming close friends. I have also reconnected with some friends from college and their families who live in Arizona. What do you enjoy most about your new state? Everyone talks about the great food in Chicago. Well, I can tell you there is also great food in Arizona and we are enjoying the many new places to dine. You always hear about the weather, but it is SO true. It is really great to be in a place where the sun is out every day. Our family and friends started making plans to visit us as soon as the first snow hit in Chicago this past winter. How does the culture of BMO Harris compare to anywhere else you have worked. This is by far one of the best cultures and people-first organizations I have ever worked for. BMO Harris bank is a Values-Driven company that puts their employees and clients at the center of everything they do and it is something truly great to be a part of. What do you consider the biggest change in banking the last 6 years, and the biggest challenge going forward? I think the two biggest changes are also the two biggest challenges: technology and regulations. Both of these have become such a huge part of our every-day world, and they are challenging our industry to find ways to remain personal and convenient. Technology and the ever-increasing regulatory and reporting environment in which we are today impact the bank internally and certainly have an impact on the customer. Banks have invested, and are continuing to invest, millions of dollars in technology; some of which the customer sees in new products and services, like online and mobile banking. Much of it they don’t – such as general system upgrades to comply with reporting requirements and R&D costs to bring new technology to the client. Our challenge is to make sure that with all of this available convenience for our clients we still maintain our high-touch environment. When did you start your "sock" ice breakers? Ha — I didn’t wear them to break the ice; it just turned out to be a great way to put people at ease. It was about five years ago, I was visiting several of the branches that I managed and each teller I spoke with commented on how bright and fun my socks were. At that point I saw them relax and just see me as another team member, not one of those big “corporate- types”. It did wonders for me as it put my employees at ease and helped me get good honest feedback on how things in the branch were going. Five years later, and it’s still working. I chose my tie each day based on the sock I’ve chosen. I have about 60 pair. It’s the drawer my kids love to open and play with. Needless to say, I find them all over the house. Getting to Know Steve Zandpour, Regional President, BMO Harris n Steve Zandpour — continued on page 6 5 SPRING 2015