For the third year in a row, West Plains Bank and Trust Company was celebrated by Biz417 Magazine as one of the Best Places to Work in southwest Missouri. West Plains Bank and Trust Company ranked ninth in 2021 and sixth in 2022.
In 2023, Springfield-based Biz417 magazine had a total of 38 nominees and created two categories, large and small employers. Only the top 10 were recognized in each category with West Plains Bank and Trust Company ranking second in the large employer category.
West Plains Bank and Trust Company President/CEO David M. Gohn points to intentional hiring practices as one of the many reasons for the bank’s continued success.
“In hiring, it’s more important to get the culture fit right and then teach the banking skills that are needed for the position,” he said. “Having people who are enthusiastic about our culture and focused on maintaining it keeps our team strong and our customers satisfied.”
According to Biz417 Magazine, all companies that apply must submit a large amount of data which is coupled with feedback from an employee survey and used by Best Companies Group in the evaluation process. Employee feedback carries significantly more weight (75%) than data provided by the companies (25%), creating a true reflection of what it’s like to work there.
“This honor is especially meaningful because the opinions of our employees are what put us over the top in this process,” Gohn said. “It’s clear that our employees are engaged and feel informed and included. We have made community involvement an integral part of our culture and we are never short on volunteers when it comes to getting involved with local charities. This reinforces the sense of being part of something bigger and making a difference.”
West Plains Bank and Trust Company opened its doors to customers in 1883 and is the oldest continually operating business in the area. Assets have grown to more than $630 million, according to bank officials. The bank has branch locations in West Plains, Mtn. View, Willow Springs and Houston, and a loan production office in Mtn. Home, Ark.
