Banking Built Around Your Business. 

Learn what drives Mary and Alicia, how they approach business banking, and why building lasting relationships is at the heart of what they do.

MARY


Helping business owners find the right solutions by understanding the story behind their business.

Mary's banking career began while she was still a senior in high school, and she quickly discovered a passion for helping people. Although she explored other industries along the way, banking kept calling her back. Today, she specializes in working with business clients and joined Solutions Bank in August 2025.

What drew her here? Local decision-making, a true community banking culture, and an organization that's actively involved in supporting local events, nonprofits, and businesses.

Why do you enjoy working with local businesses?

For Mary, every business has a story.

She enjoys learning what inspired someone to start their business, what motivates them each day, and what success looks like to them.

"It's an honor to be invited to the table and have those conversations. Understanding their story helps us work toward their goals together."

What makes working with Solutions different?

Mary believes banking should fit around a business owner's schedule, not the other way around.

Whether meeting at the branch, visiting a job site, stopping by the business, or using digital banking tools, she works to make banking convenient so owners can stay focused on running their business.

"I don't want someone to stop running their business just to get their banking done."

What do business owners deserve from their banker?

Mary believes every business owner deserves a banker who listens, understands their goals, and genuinely wants to see them succeed.

When meeting a business owner for the first time, she's most interested in learning:

  • Why did you start your business?
  • What keeps you motivated?
  • What challenges keep you up at night?
  • How can we help make running your business easier?

She believes the best solutions come from understanding each business before recommending products or services.

A success story that stands out

One experience that stands out to Mary involved helping a seasonal business purchase equipment early in her business banking career. She understood that leaving the job site during their busy season wasn't realistic, so instead of asking them to come to the bank, she brought the paperwork to them.

"Every business operates differently. My job is to make banking fit their schedule, not the other way around."

What do you hope clients say about working with you?

Mary hopes clients see her as more than their banker.

"I want them to feel like I'm an extension of their business and part of their team."

Outside the office...

If Mary isn't working with clients, there's a good chance she's volunteering or attending a meeting for one of the many community organizations she's involved with.

One thing you might not know

In 2019, Mary was recognized as United Way of Northwest Illinois Unsung Hero for her service to the community.


ALICIA


Helping local businesses find solutions, solve problems, and spend less time worrying about banking.

Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in Freeport, Alicia has spent nearly three decades helping people through customer service, including 19 years in banking. She loves building relationships, solving problems, and helping businesses find ways to make their day-to-day operations a little easier.

"I enjoy finding solutions that save business owners time and help them focus on what they do best."

Why do you enjoy working with local businesses?

Local businesses are the backbone of every community. Alicia enjoys getting to know business owners, learning how their businesses operate, and helping them overcome challenges as they grow.

"Every business is different, and I love finding solutions that fit the way they work."

What makes working with Solutions Bank different?

For Alicia, banking is about more than opening accounts.

She believes business owners deserve someone they can call directly. Someone who knows their business, answers the phone, follows through, and helps solve problems without sending them through a call center.

"My goal is to be a trusted resource, not just your banker."

What do business owners deserve from their banker?

Every business owner deserves a banker who is accessible, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in their success.

When Alicia meets with a business owner for the first time, her goal is to understand what makes their business unique. She wants to learn about their goals, what's working well, where frustrations exist, and how Solutions Bank can make banking simpler and more efficient.

"The better I understand your business, the better I can recommend solutions that truly fit."

A success story that stands out

One business owner came to Alicia frustrated with their current banking relationship. After taking time to understand their needs, she introduced solutions that simplified their operations and made the transition to Solutions Bank smooth from start to finish.

By the end of the process, the client told her they wished they had made the switch sooner.

"That's what community banking is all about: listening, finding the right solutions, and making the transition easy."

What do you hope clients say about working with you?

Alicia hopes clients remember that she genuinely cared about them and their success.

"I want people to know they could count on me, trust me, and know I was always working in their best interest."

Outside the office...

Alicia enjoys spending time with family and friends and creating memories through travel and shared experiences.

Her philosophy is simple:

"You can't take much with you, but you can create memories that last a lifetime."

One thing you might not know

Alicia once had her picture taken with Cindy Crawford!