As the son of an U.S. Air Force veteran who was stationed in a multitude of locations, Jonathan Roberts realizes how important family is to his life. It’s no surprise, then, that Roberts’ family-first values are evident in his professional life, too.
Roberts is the executive vice president/director of retail and business banking for First Bank in St. Louis. It is one of the largest privately owned banks in the country, with more than $5.93 billion in assets and 111 locations in Missouri, Illinois and California. First Bank has been owned by the same family for four generations – for more than 100 years.
“First Bank is family-oriented and genuine,” Roberts said. “We are big enough to have the resources to be impactful in our community and in the industry, and small enough that relationships matter.”
Roberts’ nomadic-like childhood took him to places such as Cambridge, England, Saudi Arabia, and various stops across the United States. The family eventually settled in Ohio, and Roberts attended the University of Cincinnati, where he played football and ran track. He graduated with a degree in sociology.
His career path in the banking industry was unintentional. An opportunity became available for Roberts to work for Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati, and his wife Angela strongly encouraged him to pursue it.
“This was a well-regarded management training program, so I thought I would get in and get some experience in the financial world, and then perhaps go back to school,” Roberts said. “I didn’t think anything would come of the interview because I was not beholden to banking. But I asked some interesting, tough questions, not the kind a career counselor would advise you to ask. They were impressed by that, and 22 years later, I am still here.”
Roberts has worked for both large and small banks. He previously served as executive vice president and region president of Santander Bank, whose assets totaled approximately $1.3 trillion. Roberts oversaw Santander’s U.S. operations, with more than 150 branches and 1,000 employees. Prior to joining Santander, Roberts served in leadership capacities at First National Bank of Pennsylvania and Charter One Bank in Indianapolis.
Midwestern appeal
After two decades working for publicly traded institutions, Roberts saw an opportunity to move back to the Midwest to be closer to extended family. He was recruited for a position with the privately owned First Bank in August 2014.
“People come in for transaction and advice, so you have more of a consultant-type of relationship,” Roberts said. “That focus on helping people. I have found a lot of fulfillment personally and professionally.”
Roberts leads a team that is responsible for the consumer mass market, such as the products and services associated with the branches and client touch points.
“We have to make it easy for the client to interact with us in the way they want to and not try to steer them in a certain direction that works for the bank’s strategy,” Robert said. “Technology is changing how we do business. The access to technology for smaller- to medium-size businesses has improved. Because of this technology, we are able to compete with national and international banks in a way we could not before.”
In his position, Roberts enjoys the opportunity to interact closely with both clients and members of his team. Behind his desk is a piece of art that spells out “Inspire.”
“I believe one of the main responsibilities of a leader is to inspire people. Motivation comes from within, but inspiration is external,” Roberts said.
“I have been inspired by people who I respect and want to do good for. What they had in common were leadership traits that had a lot to do with communication, and that they valued my opinion. I have tried to be that kind of leader, and have strived to be that kind of person.”
Community impact
Roberts initially moved to St. Louis without his wife and two sons, Jon Jon and J.T. Angela, who is an event planner for Maritz, and J.T. now have joined Roberts here, but Jon Jon is staying with family friends in Philadelphia so he can complete his senior year of high school.
As his family adjusts to living in St. Louis, Roberts is exploring opportunities to become more involved in the St. Louis community.
“Everyone in a leadership role is encouraged to serve on boards or play a leadership role in some way outside the company,” he said of First Bank.
Throughout 2015, First Bank nationally provided more than $224 million in community development loans, investments and charitable contributions to under-resourced communities. In the St. Louis metro area, First Bank originated community development loans of more than $88 million, and provided more than $315,500 in donations and sponsorships to organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, St. Louis Book Fair, St. Louis Equity Fund, local schools and food pantries, and the United Way. Locally, First Bank employees performed 2,535 hours of volunteer work.
“And employees at all levels of the organization across the country are doing different things,” he said. “You get a lot of impact and diversity, and it’s not just channeled in one direction or business strategy.”
