September 13, 2023
Little Rock, AR – June 21, 2023
With just seven associates, $159 million in assets, one office in Little Rock and a vision to build a different kind of bank, Encore Bank’s founders rebranded Capital Bank in 2019, and within three years Encore Bank was one of the fastest growing banks in the country.
A two-time Best Places to Work honoree, Encore Bank is a privately held, boutique bank with a commercial focus that matches experienced bankers with innovative technology to offer a high level of service through a hospitality-inspired concierge approach.
Encore Bank operates in 20 markets across eight states and, as of mid-April, has $3.8 billion in assets.
In redefining what banking should look like, Encore Bank strives to redefine what a workplace culture should look and feel like. Employees collaborate in an inviting environment, and customers walking into an Encore office or attending a meeting can hear music playing in the background, conversation and laughter.
From generous benefits and distributed decision-making to a fun, approachable style of internal and external communication, Encore Bank fosters an enjoyable, productive work culture.
Encore offers competitive salaries, benefits and perks like flexible work schedules and the opportunity to work remote part-time or full-time for many positions (regardless of COVID), but it’s the culture that really creates loyal employees. People want to stay at Encore Bank because they enjoy working with their team members, they feel empowered to do their job and they feel valued and appreciated.
The employee enthusiasm stems from the culture, which starts with the example shown from leadership, and is cultivated by matching the right people with the right job and reinforced through the company’s benefits, training and communications.
148
Employees in Arkansas
6%
Encore Bank’s turnover rate in 2022
52%
of employees are women
2019
Year Capital Bank rebranded as Encore Bank
$3.8 Billion
Encore Bank’s total assets as of April 2023
$159 Million
Assets when Encore Bank was founded
Encore Bank had three summits in 2022 based on feedback in which employees were brought together from across the company footprint to connect and learn from each other. The bank also hired a learning and development consultant to continue its culture of constant learning. Career growth plans were created for employees that asked for a formal plan.
Encore Bank created a one-page graphic representation of its culture titled, “This Is How We Encore.” This was derived from a meeting in which team members were asked to describe the company and its values. Encore included each member’s input to demonstrate that every person contributes to its culture. Founders introduced the document in a bank-wide, virtual pep rally and distributed it to all employees on mousepads and printouts.
Encore employees take inclusion and diversity training through its training system BAI. Encore includes diversity and inclusion pieces in the quarterly newsletter and the bank talks openly and often about diversity and inclusion and bringing one’s whole self to work. Encore partners with Lighthouse for formal grievances, but has had none.
Encore coordinates team gatherings like crawfish boils, trunk-or-treats or Christmas parties at least each quarter. For business meetings in which team members have had to travel from out of town, the host site organizes a happy hour and other outings for team building.
Encore has a learning and development department with the goal of providing a world-class onboarding experience through high touch interactions, orientation, training, connection and follow-up. Efforts are measured through surveys, and interviews are performed in cycles. The chief people officer has regular career growth conversations with employees and assists them in their growth plans.