BANK ON IT: Maggie Henson, Private Banker
By Arkansas NEXT: Money on Friday, May 14, 2021
Name: Maggie Henson
Age: 27
Hometown: Carthage, Missouri
Alma mater: University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
Major: Business Administration
Job Title: Private Banker
Company: Arvest Bank
Why did you choose a career in this field?
I was part of the Arvest internship program and learned that relationship banking is all about networking, building relationships with your customers and offering them excellent customer service—exactly what I was looking for in a career.
Did you always plan to go this route?
I was a hairdresser for about seven years before deciding to finish my degree. I went the business route because I knew I wanted a sales position after I graduated, but also wanted a broad range of options.
Why do you think students should consider a job like yours?
You don’t have to have a degree to get into banking. The skills you learn from working in a bank are extremely marketable—customer service, sales, relationship management, etc. Once you find where your interests are, you can choose from unlimited career paths in the industry.
What is a common misconception about banking?
The biggest misconception is that the culture inside a bank is uptight or cutthroat, which could not be further from the truth at Arvest. I feel like I am always able to pick up the phone and call someone if I don’t know the answer to something, and everyone is willing to help.
What would people be most surprised to know about your job?
The private banking team in Fort Smith handles all types of financing. We take care of all of our customers’ consumer, commercial and mortgage needs, as well as their entire deposit relationship. There is a lot to learn, but the customers appreciate a point of contact that is always there.
What natural abilities does someone need to succeed in this field?
Be humble enough to say, “I don’t know,” but also confident enough to go out and ask someone for their business. Anyone interested in a career in banking should look for opportunities to shadow and learn about all the different paths available.
"Anyone interested in a career in banking should look for opportunities to shadow and learn about all the different paths available.” – Maggie
Fun Finance Jobs You Can Get During College
1. Arvest Bank Mortgage Internship
2. Simmons Bank Software Engineer Internship
3. Centennial Bank Teller
4. J.B. Hunt Finance Internship
5. Tyson Foods Finance Internship
6. PepsiCo Strategic Finance Internship
Check online for job/internship availability.
