Sandra Beneventi, Commerce Bank's senior vice president and director of retail administration for Illinois, has been in the banking business for more than 30 years, beginning as a bookkeeper for Prospect National Bank. "I actually hand filed checks," she said. "Working for a smaller institution, I was able to spend time in various departments, which allowed me to learn a lot about the banking industry. Throughout my banking career, I've pretty much done it all and seen it all, and this background has helped me immensely in my current role at Commerce as I manage various retail departments."

Originally, the Peoria native didn't intend to stay in the banking industry. "But the more I learned about the field, the more I liked it. The banking industry has been very good to me and has provided me the opportunity to progress up through the system."

A big part of her job today, Beneventi said, involves managing people in the various retail divisions: mortgage, small business, and branch operations. "I oversee the retail staff, which is made up of about 140 employees. I have a strong management team in place that helps me oversee the day-to-day operations of our retail branch network, our mortgage operation, and our small business initiative. I really enjoy the diverse challenge of managing a large group of employees. You never know what each day will bring. I'm also responsible for handling the financials for the retail division, which consists of balancing the sales initiative, as well as monitoring expenses."

She said it's been especially rewarding to see women making great strides in the financial services field. "Twenty-five years ago, female loan officers were unheard of, so things have certainly come a long way since then. Banking itself also has changed so much since I first started back in the 1970s. Today, banks are more sales-focused, and at Commerce, we strive to create a positive customer experience at every point of contact-online, in the branch, at the ATM, or on the phone. We work hard to identify what our customers need so we can offer the right financial solution that's best for them. Banks used to be focused on maintaining accounts, but now the goal is to grow relationships."

Attitudes aren't the only things that have evolved, Beneventi said. "Recent developments in technology have certainly changed the face of banking. Customers can check account information, pay bills, and even view check images online. If you want to transfer funds at 11 p.m., you can do that in the comfort of your own home. Making banking more convenient to customers will continue to be a top priority in our industry.

On the negative side, advances in technology have made fraud and ID theft more prevalent than ever before. Banks need to help consumers learn how they can protect themselves from these threats."

She said the best part of her job is giving employees the encouragement and tools to grow professionally, then watching them grow and succeed. Conversely, the most challenging aspect is helping employees realize they may not be in the right profession. "I thrive on having a highly motivated team, and it negatively impacts everyone if someone doesn't have the right skill set or desire to do their job."

As for those who've found the right fit at Commerce, Beneventi tries to instill her own belief in the importance of laughter and enjoyment. "As a manager, passing this attitude onto your team is one of the most important things you can do. We all need to laugh a little more and not take ourselves so seriously in the workplace. I believe in working hard and having fun."

In addition to her career goals, community involvement has always very important to Beneventi; her current commitments include the Red Cross and Christmas in April. However, she advises women to seek a good work/life balance. "Accept your limitations and recognize you can't be a super-mom and a super-professional all the time. Women tend to be too hard on themselves; we need to lighten up a little bit and learn to laugh. I intentionally make time for my family and friends. My friends keep me going, and I make it a priority to meet up with them often."

In her career, Beneventi said she's proudest of working her way up in the banking industry. "I started out in an entry-level position, and I'm now a senior vice president of a great company. I look forward to continuing what I'm doing at Commerce Bank and enjoying my job. If you enjoy what you do, that defines success." TPW