What do the hospitality industry, First Republic Bank and Social Venture Partners have in common?

“It’s all about the personal relationships,” says Mark Williams, Business Development Banker at First Republic Bank and partner at SVP in Portland. “I came from the hospitality industry where personal service is what set you apart. That’s not unlike our work with nonprofits with SVP. We listen, learn and are strategic about working together so they can achieve more. What I like about First Republic Bank is that we invest in the client, know them by name, know their particular needs.”

First Republic Bank founded in 1985, provides private banking, private business banking and private wealth management with a $28 billion (USD) in total banking assets. First Republic has 65 offices located in major metropolitan areas mainly on the East and West coasts. First Republic Bank specializes in delivering exceptional relationship-based service, with a firm commitment to responsiveness and action. Their business approach of honoring personal relationships is working for them: First Republic has been consistently profitable for over 26 years. Not so common in the banking industry.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from banking industry? 

“I always live by doing the right thing for that person and treating people like you want to be treated”, says Mark. “If you make decisions based solely on monetary gain, in the long run you’ll hurt yourself and the company.  Eighty percent of our business at First Republic is referral based. Integrity and honesty, without expecting the monetary gain, has a powerful way of paying forward.”  

Beyond building relationships, Mark and his wife, Sophie stay busy with three children under three: Zoelie, Azalea and Windsor.