Holly Mathis
Compliance Auditor
Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, Inc., Louisville, GA
Member, GBA Compliance Committee
Published Nov. 30, 2023
Q: What was your first job, and was there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: At 16 years old, my first job was at a daycare helping care for toddlers. Caring for small children requires lots of patience, problem solving skills and the skill of providing direction while listening to the needs of the child. As a Compliance team member, we provide training and direction through all aspects of the banking functions. The Compliance team is consulted on nearly a daily basis to provide clear, accurate and effective direction on how to best meet the needs of our customers all while problem solving to maintain compliance against consumer harm.
Q: What was the most useful piece of advice you received in the early/formative years of your career?
A: At 19 years old, I began my banking career, as well as my career with Queensborough National Bank & Trust. My first banking job was a part-time teller. Our branch was managed by the County President. I had the opportunity many times to work directly under her and observe her banking/customer service style. She conducted herself with kindness, professionalism and a communication style that made customers feel safe and comfortable with choosing Queensborough for their financial needs. While I cannot pinpoint one specific piece of advice she gave me over the years, watching and observing her skills to help people at the most financially sound point in their lives to their most vulnerable season of life, made banking more appealing to me. Watching her help people gave me the drive and passion to continue my career in banking. I witnessed how helping people meet their financial needs and goals was essential to personal growth.
Q: Tell us more about one experience you’ve had that exemplifies being a banker or your role at the bank.
A: During my 23 years of banking with Queensborough, I have a million stories that exemplify what being a banker is all about. While my role as a Compliance team member does not involve a lot of face-to-face customer interaction, we consider our customers to be the bank employees that reach out to us for help in meeting the customer's needs all while having a high level of consideration for regulatory compliance and avoidance of consumer harm. I have a great sense of fulfillment when we can help our lenders get an applicant in their first home or work with a lender to ensure an applicant is presented with the best loan products for their immediate need.
Q: When you’re not on the job at the bank, what do you like to do?
A: When I am not reading, studying, or reviewing regulatory compliance requirements, I enjoy crafting and seasonal decorating of my home. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I get great joy from crafting and decorating all the Christmas things. During Christmas, my home is decorated with at least ten Christmas trees and a Christmas village of over 75 ceramic buildings and homes that I have arranged into a magical winter wonderland scene. My masterpiece each year is the decorating of our church for Christmas. I head the "flower committee” at our church and that includes creating a festive church during the Christmas season. My crafting and decorating skills have contributed to many family/friend weddings, baby showers, wedding showers, graduation parties, retirement parties, birthday parties and any time a celebration is in order.
Q: Podcast you recommend?
A: I love good trivia bits. I listen to “Stuff You Should Know” podcast. The shows are typically short (less than an hour) and cover any and every topic. You will learn about topics from how candy corn is made to who and why was the chia pet was invented. Most of the shows are useless knowledge but knowledge is power and fun!
Q: Most used app?
A: Outside of social media, Facebook/Instagram, Life 360 is my most used app. I have a driving teenager/college student kid. Need I say more?…
Q: TV show or series you love?
A: Currently, I am rewatching the Grey’s Anatomy series. I have become just as engrossed as if it’s the first time I watched it. Lots of bits of knowledge with a love story and personal drama. Who wouldn’t love it?