Authored by Susan Hall

TULSA, Okla., August 19, 2020 – A company’s success is measured by factors beyond revenue. For mortgage banks, the way they engage with their customers and communities is a greater indicator than numbers on a spreadsheet. One of the best ways Gateway has found to improve engagement is by giving back to the communities we serve. When companies emphasize charitable work, it doesn’t only have a meaningful effect on the community – it helps build internal company pride and commitment.

It is critical to align with a philanthropic goal that matches your organization’s core values. When a company fails to pick partners that reflect its mission, giving back can become a halfhearted effort to fulfill an obligation. What can be a great way to foster the company’s relationship with the community while making a difference can become negative. Your team and the community can tell the difference between a genuine desire to better the community and a photo op.

Research has told us what managers already know – employees who feel connected to the organization are significantly more engaged, productive and invested in helping the company succeed. A high employee engagement level is critical for the long-term success of a business.

At Gateway, our mission is to strengthen families in the communities we serve. We created the Gateway Gives Back program to encourage volunteerism through the company and individually. In fact, team members can earn a $300 contribution from the company to the charity of their choice through personal volunteerism. We believe in supporting communities directly through time, talent or treasure.

In 2017, Gateway announced a national partnership with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to families of servicemen and women who have fallen or been disabled in combat. For every loan closed through Gateway’s retail locations, we donate $5. With more than 150 mortgage centers across the country, Gateway has donated $270,540 to Folds of Honor through June. This is a great match to the Gateway values as we are a leading lender for VA loans.

Charitable efforts enable lenders to improve employee morale and build a true connection between team members and their work. For this reason, successful companies are those that recognize the powerful impact giving back has on the community as well as the effect it has on employees.

Susan Hall is the Corporate and Community Engagement Manager for Gateway First Bank in Tulsa.

The original article was published in Journal Record and can be found here.

About Gateway First Bank 

Gateway First Bank is a leading financial institution that provides banking and mortgage services for consumers and commercial customers. Headquartered in Jenks, Oklahoma, Gateway is a $1.9 billion asset sized bank with a strong mortgage operation.  Gateway is one of the largest banking and mortgage operations in the United States with six bank branches in Oklahoma, over 160 mortgage centers in 42 states, and almost 1,600 employees.  Learn more at www.GatewayFirst.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender (NMLS 7233)

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