With Sterling, I really have a relationship. As soon as my company started banking with Sterling, I knew I wasn't dealing with a lower-level clerk; I was dealing with someone who could go ahead and make decisions.

My Sterling Relationship Manager treated me like I was important, got to know me and my business right away. At our previous bank, it seemed like every few months or so we'd get a new person to deal with. Not at Sterling.

Why have I stayed with Sterling? There's always conversation, reaction, action.  Plus, I know I'm not dealing with one person, but a whole team. They don't miss an opportunity to help.

Would I recommend Sterling? Without hesitation. They've proven themselves. They continue to prove themselves. They're honest and they get to know you.

When you think about it, what businesses can say they have a real relationship with their bank? Well, I can.

We were growing and our bank was changing. All of a sudden we weren't important and they started coming to us with all these procedures.  We really felt like we were just filling a slot in their portfolio and not a priority to them at all.

For us, that’s essential. With Sterling, we sensed their willingness to work with us, and especially, ease the transition. It’s a tough thing, changing business banks. They knew it and they made it happen smoothly.

But more than their excitement, Sterling was competitive. Very.
And they always come back with an idea.

Everything we have ever needed them to do, they were able to do.  Actually, they exceed just doing it.

For instance, we once faced a situation where we had some short-term bond needs, and needed help very quickly. We knew that this was not a standard item. But it didn't matter. They did it like it was, and, bottom line, it got done.

Our lead Sterling Relationship Manager makes it his business to put his face in front of ours. Not overly, but it's nice to know he's there. All the members of the relationship team, they feel more like friends than just business associates.

And there’s another thing that makes us feel very good about banking with Sterling.  I really have the feeling -- I know -- that if I called and said I needed a face-to-face with the Chairman, Mr. Cappelli, they would arrange it. No question.

That fact that we’re that important to them makes all the difference.

I was with another bank that had been merged into a larger organization. We looked to switch banks, and when we interviewed Sterling, I knew right away I was dealing with a different kind of bank – one with more personalized attention.

It was a totally different mentality. I had someone I could talk to. To be specific, my primary Sterling Relationship Manager -- he's unbelievable.

Sure he's a financial guy, he knows his stuff. But he's more. He's like and old friend. He's tough, but he talks straight.

The whole team, they're there to work with you, help you, point you in the right direction.

For example, I walk the stores because I like to see our product. I noticed something going on. Our product wasn't out there because stores were getting rid of their 'cutters” -- their on-site butchers.  And then I had the idea that we should cut the beef, even price it if the stores want, and all they have to do is take it out of the box.

My Sterling banker, he walks the stores too. So he completely got my idea – he saw the opportunity like I did.  And then the whole Sterling team worked with us to help get the financial end of it in place to make it happen. 

The end result was increased volume -- over and over.

Here’s another example: we got a product of ours into Wal-Mart, “Uncle Albert's Meat Loaf”. Well, just as soon as it was out there, I don’t even know how he knew, but I got a three word e-mail from my Sterling Relationship Manager: "Saw Uncle Albert." He's right there, all the time.

Our goal? We want to keep growing but we want the right kind of financial support to make sure we handle our growth properly. With Sterling there, well, all I can say, I know this sounds like a cliche but it's true, it's a 'win/win' all around.