The idea of the Banker’s Shootout™ began during a casual discussion I had with Tom Petro, a long time friend and CEO of Fox Chase Bank. Fox Chase Bank is a local community bank headquartered in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. We discussed the current disconnect between banks and businesses, and the perception of business owners that banks were not lending so therefore, why approach them.

As a serial entrepreneur, I understand the necessity of having community banks in our local business ecosystem and many of my friends, who also own businesses, were aware of the disconnect too. In truth, this information was not coming from the banks themselves, rather we were inundated with media coverage telling us banks were in trouble and hence…not lending.

Tom brought me up to speed on the current banking environment. As I listened, I thought about how I could put together an event where I would bring together the local business community, and with Tom’s help, his Bank CEO friends, to have a live discussion of “Where’s the Money and How Do I Get It?”

The inaugural Banker’s Shootout™ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featured a panel of renowned Community Bank CEOs including Tom Petro, CEO of Fox Chase Bank; Ted Peters, CEO of The Bryn Mawr Trust Company; Bill Aichele, CEO of Univest; Gerry Cuddy, CEO of Beneficial Bank and Walt Tilman, CEO of Vantage Point Bank. The main program included over two hours of interactive audience discussion where attendees asked their financing questions live. Following the main event, an optional VIP Reception provided business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs and CFOs one-on-one interaction with our featured Bank CEOs. The event was an overwhelming success boasting almost 200 business executives and decision makers from a variety of industries within the tri-state area. The program provided new deal flow to the Banks, high level networking for the attendees and access to business executives they don’t normally have access to. It was a win-win for everyone.

Such positive feedback was received that we are taking the Banker’s Shootout™ on the road and invite you to visit us at www.BankersShootout.com to see when we’re coming to a city near you! If you don’t see your city on the schedule, let us know. Additionally, we will have informative blog posts here and feature our Bank CEOs as periodic guest bloggers so stop back often!