Strive to learn more, always ask questions and do what you love. Wichita market president Jeremy Machain shares lessons he’s learning throughout his 20-year career.
Tell us more about yourself.
I was born and raised in Wichita and don’t see myself ever leaving. I love this area and community and am excited to begin this new chapter at UMB Bank. I’ve been in the banking and finance industry for about 20 years and the majority of that has been on the commercial side. I started my career at a small community bank, I’ve now done everything from being a teller to a customer service representative to credit and lending and now market president. Before I came to UMB, I was previously market president for Equity Bank before joining Bank of America for 16 months as a senior vice president for the business banking team.
How did you get into banking?
It’s an interesting story. I was working right out of high school before college at an apartment complex in the Wichita area doing maintenance. The owner would always come by and we’d strike up a conversation every so often, and he was the one that actually brought up banking as a career choice. Being an apartment owner, he told me he always had a good relationship with his bank and in real estate and businesses, there’s a function of banking that was attached to that. For me, getting into banking was my first goal so I started as a teller in college and that slowly led me into the commercial world.
I think the reason I stuck with banking—and what attracted me to it in the first place—was the personal connectivity, internally with the people you work with but also with your clients and seeing them be able to accomplish their goals with your help and support.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
Personally, being a father and husband. Professionally, I feel like I’m still working toward my goals. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far but the best is yet to come and I’m excited to work toward that at UMB. I strive to learn more every day and do better than the day before. You can learn a lot from past successes and the trials and tribulations of others. Everyone has a unique and different story, but they all have a common theme of overcoming obstacles and figuring out a way of doing things better.
What was the best piece of advice you have received?
There are three simple rules I follow. The first is that if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no. Second, if you do not step forward, you are always in the same place. Lastly, if you do not go after what you want, you’ll never have it. It’s simple, but those are words I live by.
You started your career in the middle of the pandemic. What is UMB doing to attract and retain talent in the current work environment?
UMB recognizes the importance of family and work commitments and supports a healthy work-life balance. Our goal is to create an environment that supports associates and their out-of-work interests.
Business resource groups (BRGs) also play a vital role in deepening the recruitment pipeline of diverse talent and refer candidates to UMB on a regular basis. Our eight BRGs are key partners in helping us connect and engage talent for greater inclusion and are structured to engage associates who share common interests, including associates from traditionally underrepresented groups, and allies who support these groups.
We also offer our associates benefits beyond compensation, such as paid days off to volunteer, UMB “You Days” and employer matching contributions to qualified non-profits an associate may choose to donate to. The opportunity to connect with mentors and intentional corporate structures that empower associates to take on continuously challenging roles, should they seek those opportunities, are other ways UMB works every day to attract and retain top talent.
Outside of work, where can we find you?
I am on the board of trustees for Heartspring‡,an organization that supports children with special needs to help them find greater independence. At Heartspring, you see the impact you have on the children, especially when you walk through the facility and meet with some of the kids and hear their success stories. It’s an organization my wife and I are very involved with. I am also on the board of the Wichita Grand Opera and am a great supporter of the arts.
Outside of my community work, you will find me at home with my family or at the lake – we love going down to Table Rock in Missouri. Nothing beats summer at the lake!
What is your walk-up song?
My go-to is “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey!
Click here‡ to read more on Jeremy’s move to UMB Bank in 2020 and check out a 2021 interview in the Wichita Business Journal‡ about how the pandemic has impacted commercial banking.
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