Latest comments for http://www.ababj.com , comment 0 to 5 out of 5 comments http://www.ababj.com Thu, 23 May 2013 22:19:02 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/people-costs-how-is-your-bank-keeping-them-down.html#pc_66 We have limited pay increase rates, are not authorizing any overtime, have reduced our external training budget—particularly where travel is needed—and are using more of the ABA online training resources. We have also increased the number of officers participating in operational committees of our state banking association, which is a very cost-effective way to learn and stay “current.” - Kerry Lancy Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:15:37 +0100 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/people-costs-how-is-your-bank-keeping-them-down.html#pc_64 Bank Midwest has taken two specific steps to help contain personnel costs. Both are viewed as long-term measures designed to improve and sustain staffing efficiency. First, non-exempt weekly work schedules have been implemented as a means towards moving away from a traditional 8:00 to 5:00 (40-hour per week) work schedule. Supervisors are held accountable for staffing schedules that are based upon high/low work volumes throughout the course of a day and month. These employees understand that their work week may vary between 30 to 40 hours per week based upon staffing needs. Second, we’ve placed closer scrutiny on overtime expense and FTEs. Supervisors are held accountable for their own annual departmental overtime and FTE goals. A report is shared that monitors monthly results. Supervisors are able to compare their team’s OT and FTE stats to those of their peers and budget. - Mary Kay Bates Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:09:57 +0100 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/people-costs-how-is-your-bank-keeping-them-down.html#pc_63 Our bank and its holding company are managing personnel costs through attrition, better schedule management, and limiting overtime. All departments are being challenged to assess workflow and make sure that staff needs are current and overtime is limited. As employees terminate, those positions are not necessarily being replaced. - Karen Cameron Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:05:50 +0100 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/people-costs-how-is-your-bank-keeping-them-down.html#pc_62 We haven’t replaced a couple people that left the bank, partly to control costs and partly due to a slowdown in business during this recession. We also didn’t give pay raises this year, for the first time in many years. Less staff, a lack of additional compensation, and overall turmoil in the banking industry has contributed to employee burnout, and morale is probably the worst in years. We have tried to convey a positive attitude and emphasized the new opportunities for our bank in the current economic climate. We have also reminded our staff that no one has been downsized at our bank during this crisis. It has been a difficult struggle, however. - Blair Hillyer Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:04:20 +0100 http://www.ababj.com/myblog/people-costs-how-is-your-bank-keeping-them-down.html#pc_61 We’re selling a branch and closing a branch. Beyond that, we’re really looking at our overall staffing needs throughout the bank. It’s very hard personally to relocate or discharge loyal employees because of this economy. We have made every effort to utilize our present staff, through reassignments or adding new responsibilities. We’re not replacing employees who leave, for whatever reason. We have temporarily suspended salary increases and some benefit payments, trying to keep from laying off staff. - J. Edward Norriss II Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:02:18 +0100