BANKING
BANKING
TD Bank Fulfills “ Customer-Centric ” Vision
By Diane C . Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
A
recent survey of small business owners released by TD Bank showed that 90 percent of the respondents were optimistic about their business ’ future in the next 12 months – a significant uptick from last year ’ s report when 80 percent had a positive outlook .
Drilling further into the survey results , TD reports that 64 percent of small business expect to see sales and revenues increase over the next 12 months . When it comes to expanding products and services more than half of the respondents said they plan to do so in the next year , indicating small businesses are honing-in on growth tactics as the macroeconomic environment levels out .
Confidence among small business owners was further displayed when 94 percent said they have no plans to sell or close their businesses in the next year and only 4 percent plan to reduce staff .
Yet along with their optimism , many small businesses are citing pressure from inflation , high interest rates and the increasing cost of supplies , materials and equipment . The report presents the findings of a CARAVAN survey conducted by Big Village that sampled 1,014 small business owners and partners in April .
The survey results aligned with what Don Buckley , TD Bank Commercial Market President of Northern New Jersey , is seeing .
The economic outlook is sunny for small businesses .
“ There is a cautious optimism ,” said Buckley , who has spent most of his banking career at TD . He was recruited when it was Commerce Bank before TD acquired it in 2008 . The acquisition brought together the New Jersey- based Commerce Bank with TD , which originated in Canada more than 150 years ago . TD Bank now stretches along the East Coast in 15 states from Maine to Florida .
Buckley is proud of TD Bank ’ s “ customer-centric ” approach . “ It ’ s about what can we do for you – your family , your life . Every single colleague is genuinely committed to and relentlessly focused on working closely with our customers to help them achieve their financial goals .”
Banking and finance have always fascinated him . He was schooled mainly in Ireland and graduated from the University of Limerick after his Irish émigré parents moved the family from Brooklyn back to their native country when Buckley was 11 . After earning his diploma , however , Buckley returned to the United States and pursued a graduate degree at Fordham University at Lincoln Center .
His first job was at Barclays Bank in the controller ’ s area . The position acquainted him with commercial lending somewhat and whetted his appetite to learn more . Buckley said he was “ very , very fortunate ” to have been accepted into a training program there . Upon completion of the 18-month program Buckley accepted a position in Brooklyn , reporting directly to one of Barclay ’ s youngest and sharpest regional vice
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Lordn
Don Buckley , President , TD Bank
presidents . The move was pivotal for his career . “ I learned so much ,” Buckley recalled .
When Buckley was hired by Commerce Bank , it was expanding in New York , and he was regional vice president of the Manhattan South operation . “ It was a start-up , and it was exciting and incredible ,” he said , adding “ I was responsible for underwriting . I was responsible for retail . I opened 10 or 11 stores in Manhattan South .”
In 2009 he was tapped for the New Jersey role . A long-time Bergen County resident , Buckley jumped at the opportunity and the easy commute . The market president emphasizes that TD Bank is one of New Jersey ’ s biggest employers , with approximately 7,800 colleagues and more than 220 stores .
He also likes to note TD is “ embedded in the community .” The TD Charitable Foundation , the philanthropic arm of the bank , recently awarded $ 7 million to 37 non-profits across the bank ’ s footprint to tackle housing issues in marginalized communities .
In New Jersey , the grants totaled $ 1.15 million , including $ 250,000 for Greater Bergen Community Action Inc . in Hackensack , $ 150,000 for Bergen County ’ s United Way , $ 250,000 for Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County , $ 175,000 for Family Promise of Warren County ; $ 175,000 for Tri-County Community Action Agency in Bridgeton and $ 150,000 for Roots & Wings in Denville .
“ I am so proud of the many ways we continue to come together to support the shared communities where we live and work – that ’ s what it ’ s all about ,” he said .
10 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com