Kim Clark, President, Clark Steel Fabricators, Inc.

Kim: Clark Steel Fabricators has been in business 30 years. We fabricate and install stairs, railings, trellises, miscellaneous and ornamental metals. We have 45 employees.

In 2000, when we had first opened our account at a local bank, they were a local-owned, community-type bank. Since then, they've had two buyouts. Each time there was a buyout, there was less and less customer service.

I was unaware that the credit union provided accounts for commercial businesses. A fellow subcontractor had established a relationship with North Island Credit Union. He knew we were refinancing our property and recommended we speak to Mike Scogin.

The Island was very competitive with the interest rate they offered and the terms of the loan. We decided to make the switch over to refinance our building and move our general account to The Island.

Our payroll account was still with the other bank. We were a bit reluctant to move that account. We really thought it was going to be a huge undertaking to change that account over.

Dan Kitchen Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager, and Michael Scogin Vice President, Business Services

We spoke with Dan Kitchen, who was the manager at the Santee branch. He indicated that it would not be that difficult, and he would be willing to help us with the transition. So, we took him up on it. He came out to our office and brought a technical support person with him. They stayed as long as it took to get our account set up. It ended up being quite easy. And it's just been flawless.

As a matter of fact, that other bank has never even contacted me since I quit generating money through that account. I found that very surprising. When you have a payroll account that generates a direct deposit, say every Wednesday, and then all of a sudden it stops coming, you would think somebody would call.

We have not heard from one person and it's been probably two to three months ago. I think it's the buyouts, I think they get the corporate attitude. It's almost like they just don't care anymore. It confirmed my decision to change.

Postscript
The service. The rates are very good as far as loans and credit lines - just the fact that The Island's not going to go anywhere. They're here, they're locally owned, the people care about San Diego, they're not going to be bought out. It just gives you a level of comfort knowing that your banker is going to be your banker in five or ten years. You're not going to have to get to know six or seven different people because of all the buyouts.