What Bankmark's Clients Have to Share with Other Organizing Groups:

At the conclusion of each engagement, we ask the client to respond to a few questions (in retrospect) regarding the project and to share their experiences with future Bankmark clients. Below are but a few of a long list of questions to which we consistently receive overwhelming responses of, " I strongly agree".

  • The Founder's Program was a key element to our success.
  • It is unrealistic to assume that organizers can/will devote the time to effectively satisfy both their personal and stock selling commitments without a level of professional help and direction.
  • Bankmark's experience enabled them to help us identify, and effectively differentiate between our preconceived "myths and realities" of a capital campaign.
  • An integral part of the Bankmark program is the construction of a solid, diversified shareholder base that is a critical element to building the bank after it opens.
  • Though you may be tempted, resist "altering" or making major changes to the Bankmark program, ride it out and it becomes apparent that the program really works.
  • In the final analysis, we realized that Bankmark's program produced results, it was in our best interest to follow their recommendations, and the customized strategy developed by them for us.
  • The Bankmark program is efficient and cost effective.

Some Direct (Literal) Quotes from Our Recent Client Engagement Critiques:

  • "Thank you Bankmark!"
  • "We should have engaged the 'third party' early on and prevented wasting precious time and money."
  • "You guys did a great job, what more can I say?"
  • "Use of key founders was extremely important."
  • "It was interesting and rewarding to be involved in your entire process, Thanks Dan."
  • "I personally hold Dan in high regard, he probably knows more about organizing a new bank than almost anyone on the West Coast."
  • "The speakers really did a good job, and they added just the right degree of credibility to the meetings."

In addition, organizers consistently acknowledge that during the campaign Bankmark also helps them to acquire, develop and/or hone the following skills and competencies:

  • Sales and closing skills
  • Business development skills
  • Team building
  • Presentation skills
  • Regulatory interaction
  • Marketing strategies

Advantages to Dealing with Bankmark—We Deliver:

  • Proven methodologies and an effective operational infrastructure.
  • Director workshops that increase industry knowledge, provide common language, and increase each participant's sales effectiveness level.
  • Efficient deployment of resources which maximizes each Organizer's personal time. This greatly enhances the overall performance and effectiveness of the board and management group.
  • The introduction of a proven market maker that establishes a relationship during the organizational phase. This alliance assures the liquidity of an after-market for the bank stock. With a market maker in place, the bank stock qualifies as an investment for IRA, Roth IRA, Keogh, SEP, and 401(k) purposes, an essential element in placing stock.
  • A firm that will facilitate, at no cost to the investor, the transferring and management of all qualified retirement purchases.
  • Direct links to investors and potential directors not currently accessible to the organizers. This is a result of the contacts Bankmark developed during previous successes in Pleasanton and other key Bay Area communities.
  • Introductions to significant investors' with "put away power" should the group experience a short fall in reaching the required capital threshold.
  • A "Non-political" working environment. We hold the participants accountable for their actions or lack thereof. We therefore focus on getting the job done. The concern of having to "work with certain individuals" after the bank opens is not an issue, so it does not compromise the successful completion on the project.
  • Critical liaison with news agencies and the media. This ensures that the bank receives the amount and quality of coverage it deserves.
  • A cadre of suppliers of goods and services who perform now, but are willing to carry a portion of the client's account based upon Bankmark's record of accomplishment.
  • Assurance to those at risk that the project will be successful. We are the only consulting firm with a 100% de novo completion record.
  • A level of credibility the project needs to effectively function in the local marketplace and interface with the regulators and other financial service providers.

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