Bank On It: Ryan Curtis, Vice President of Business Solutions

Jacob Slaton

Ryan Curtis
Vice President of Business Solutions, First National Bank
Age: 28 | Hometown: Corning | Alma Mater: Williams Baptist University (undergraduate), Welch College (graduate)

Ryan Curtis began working at First National Bank as a part-time teller in college. He quickly realized this was a career he was in for the long haul.

After graduating from Williams Baptist University with his undergraduate degree, he decided to stay full-time at the bank.

“I realized that I had a passion for it and wanted to do it every day,” Ryan said. “I am somewhat of an analytical person, and so working with a list of a person’s needs to create a list of solutions brings me joy, especially when I know that doing so helps them to succeed in their own endeavors.”

Ryan holds degrees in Christian theology and ministry and also works as a minister. Although these degrees are not directly related to his role at First National Bank, the overall experience of higher education proved beneficial. It prepared him for the professional environment by allowing him to master people skills and critical thinking, as well as develop a strong sense of responsibility.

“Our kind of work definitely requires you to be capable of interacting with people, both from a teammate perspective and a customer service perspective,” Ryan said. “If people don’t exist, our work doesn’t either, and so it's imperative that you are able to work with all kinds of folks.”

Ryan truly enjoys the customer-facing side of his work, which has quickly become his favorite aspect of the job. Interacting with a diverse range of customers across the state and gaining insights into their businesses not only keeps his role engaging but also offers continuous networking opportunities. Ryan attributes success in this field to a combination of technological aptitude, a detailed mindset, and creativity.

“I firmly believe most people do not realize how many different jobs exist within a bank,” Ryan said. “Many think that there can only be four or five things to [do], when in reality, we have numerous departments that have that many positions just within themselves. The truth is, a bank is so vast that there are many great opportunities for all kinds of people looking to be a part.”