The banks of the Connecticut River are awash in debris, but for Connecticut River Community Bank in Wethersfield, the level of customer service is what’s rising.
“As a small community bank, with an easily accessible board of directors, we are able to provide answers to our customers quicker than most banks,” said Jennifer Brochu, newly appointed assistant vice president and credit officer. “We are also more willing to work with our customers to determine the most appropriate products for their needs. In the event that we are unable to help customers, we also take the time to explain why and offer suggestions for other alternatives.”
Brochu’s foray into banking goes back to high school, where she started off as summer help in the commercial loan division of a bank where her dad worked.
In all of her banking career, Brochu has never endured a robbery or even a remarkably irate customer, but she has gotten an odd request.
“One day a customer came through the bank’s drive-through and tried to order a hamburger and french fries,” she said. “It was actually kind of sad since it was an older woman, who probably shouldn’t have been driving.”
With an associates degree from Manchester Community College in accounting and business administration and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Central Connecticut State University in 2005, Brochu is now taking on management responsibilities and loan reviews.
She said that while it’s rewarding to be of service to small businesses, the bank can’t finance all businesses and it’s difficult to tell them they can’t get financing. In those cases, Brochu advises people to work on troublesome facets and try again in the future.
To help further her career, Brochu, 29, is working toward her MBA at the University of Connecticut, with a possible concentration in real estate.
“I see it as the next step, attending school with people in the same situation,” said Brochu.
“I’ve learned that when you work hard, opportunities will present themselves.”
“I see myself staying with this bank,” she said. “It’s still young and I think I’ll continue to grow with [it].”
Her rigorous academic and work schedules are keeping Brochu busy, but she has found some time to take golf lessons, which she plans to showcase at a golf tournament for the Center for Financial Training’s annual meeting in June, a council she serves on.
Amanda Blaszyk is a staff writer for the Hartford Business Journal.
