Coming up in Fifth Third mainly through the commercial bank organization, I have a great deal of respect for small businesses. The business banking team at Fifth Third targets businesses that generate revenues in the $5-15 million range. This segment of the commercial customer base is critically important to the bank.

In fact, as you will read on these pages of the Community Connection, we have assembled a specialized team of bankers with product programs that are designed specifically for this size of customer. At Fifth Third we believe it is important to customize programs for small businesses because the needs of a $10 million dollar business are very different than the needs of a $100 million dollar business. We attempt to provide services that many small businesses wouldn’t afford themselves the luxury of having but that we can provide because we can do it for many businesses.

The better we reach out and serve multiple needs for our customers, the more successful we will be as a bank serving this segment of commercial banking. Ultimately, the more effective we are at helping small businesses in this economy, the quicker our region will recover from the economic malaise that we are in the grip of in southeast Michigan. Historically throughout our country, more jobs are created by small business than any other business segment. It is small business that has created jobs in past slow downs that led to economic turnarounds. As big business continues to downsize and offer early out packages, a significant number of those displaced employees will go the entrepreneur route. These new business owners need professional support in everything from planning to marketing and especially finances.

This is where a bank can step in and become an extended member of a business’ team, providing services and strategic advice along with banking products and services. It would make sense that, more than almost anyone, your bank wants you to succeed if you are a small business. Whether you own a small business that is brand new, years old or you are just now thinking about doing something on your own, this is a good time to have an in-depth conversation with your banker. Bankers can help you make choices that reflect the state of the economy today and for the long-term prognosis of your business. Bankers can share research and market experience with you that you might not otherwise have access to. And bankers will give you a real world evaluation of your game plan and help you get your finances in alignment with your business results.

Believe me, in today’s world, bankers do far more than simply issue loans. If you haven’t met with your banker in a while give him or her a call. It’s time you had a serious discussion about your future with a trusted financial advisor. If you don’t see your banker as a trusted financial advisor, call a Fifth Third banker.

At Fifth Third we are first and foremost trusted advisors. Perhaps together we can turn this economy around.