michael azzaro interview blog

Community Banking & Financial Services for Your Small Business

According to a World Bank report, the world’s small and medium-sized enterprises have unmet finance needs of approximately $5.2 trillion a year. Access to finance is a key restraint. As a commercial banker at American Community Bank & Trust, Mike Azzaro is uniquely qualified in these markets in the greater Chicagoland area and he wants to help his clients grow their businesses and succeed.

Mike approaches lending opportunities with a relationship management focus. A loan with American Community Bank & Trust is not just a transaction, it’s a relationship. He wants to get to know you and your business; the roots, the milestones, and the future you desire. After building a strong rapport Mike will be more qualified to become your partner and suggest financial solutions to strengthen your business. He will structure the opportunities and manage any complexities that accompany the solution.

Many people ask what happens after we close a loan at American Community Bank & Trust. Our team will provide you with a road map so you will have all the financial tools you need to access your loan and have a full banking relationship with us. Mike will oversee the entire process and introduce you to other key banking partners that will allow you and your team to work more efficiently. With additional financial tools in place, such as treasury management services, you can focus on your core business.

Mike will conduct regular check-ins with you at your convenience, and together, we will set financial goals that make sense for you and your business, and he will proactively track and report on those goals. Mike will analyze your business and suggest sales-producing strategies and ways to lower expenses.

We will ask the hard questions, when you’re ready, about the long-term future of your business. What could your business look like in ten years or twenty years? Will you need a succession plan? Will you leave a legacy? These are all things to consider, and we will be right there to discuss them with you.

You might hit a rough patch and we will be ready! Our team has 20+ years of qualified experience to guide you through almost anything. We know that market conditions change, and we've weathered many economic challenges. Not every business owner has a full set of management capabilities, and you will likely need to balance your strengths with people and resources. American Community Bank & Trust understands that business owners wear many hats, and we will be available when you throw out an “SOS.”

You have a life, and your business has a future and we want to be part of that. Do you get involved with your community? At American Community Bank & Trust, we are always actively a part of our communities so we will gladly attend an event that is meaningful to you or your line of business.

Your success is our success, so Mike will do everything in his power to assist you and your business every step of the way. He always leads with the bank’s core values: an attitude of urgency, confidentiality, trust, and integrity. American Community Bank and Trust has been creating advocates for over twenty years using these values and we continue to do so every day!

To learn more about Mike Azzaro, visit our website, or contact him directly at mazzaro@amcombank.com.