The Bank Of Glen Burnie Is Customer-Focused And Community-Driven

Since 1949, The Bank of Glen Burnie has been a mainstay in Anne Arundel County – a milestone of longevity that employees attribute to customer service, competitive rates and community service.

With eight branches in Anne Arundel County, the full-service bank serves as a local residential mortgage solution and offers checking and savings accounts, including individual retirement accounts (IRAs), certificates of deposit (CDs) and business loans (including SBA loans).

“We’re not a huge bank, but we offer a range of personalized products and services,” said Michael Thibault, vice president of commercial lending.

Regardless of someone’s needs, they can enjoy the convenience of the drive-thru or have a personal interaction with a staff member, not a voice on the other end of a 1-800 hotline.

“We want to know who you are as a person,” said Amanda Anderson, assistant vice president at The Bank of Glen Burnie and branch manager for the Severna Park and Glen Burnie locations. “You’re not just a number. Our customers come in the bank and we know them by name. You are not going to come in and feel bombarded by whatever the pitch of the day is.”

Thibault echoed that sentiment. “It’s about meeting the wishes of our customers, not selling them something they don’t necessarily want or need,” he said. “Once we get to know our customers, there is a certain level of trust between both parties and that may continue generationally. The relationship is long-term. It’s not just a one-time transaction.”

To build those long-term relationships, the bank works with every customer to offer assistance whenever possible. Every lending decision is made locally.

“We’re very competitive as far as interest rates and terms,” Thibault said. In agreement, Anderson added, “It’s not just about what you look like on a piece of paper. A larger bank may look at that, but we try to make it work.”

For that reason and others, Anderson and Thibault likened the work they do at The Bank of Glen Burnie to “a breath of fresh air.”

“I’ve worked in banking for 20 years and it’s not like anything I have experienced,” Anderson said. “It’s a hometown bank, and since it’s smaller, I feel like I can make a bigger impact.”

That same expression – a breath of fresh air – describes their active work in the community. Staff members recently spent their evenings at the Big Glen Burnie Carnival. “We had two people per night giving out carnival wristbands,” Anderson said.

They are also involved in countless other events, from the Pasadena Business Association’s annual Caring and Sharing Parade to the SPAN Turkey Trot to the Rotary Club of Glen Burnie’s “Service Above Self” 2017 Community Awards Dinner.

The Bank of Glen Burnie is also a member of the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce, the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Pasadena Business Association and the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s about helping our fellow community members and maintaining a sustainable business environment in Anne Arundel County,” Thibault said. “Without business, there are no jobs. Without jobs, there is no local economy to provide a quality of life for those of us who live and work here.”

And without The Bank of Glen Burnie, customers may find it harder to finance their special projects. The facility is currently offering special rates for anyone seeking a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

“It’s that time of year when people are looking to proceed with those long-awaited home improvement projects,” Thibault said.

For the bank’s community-oriented mindset, Thibault and Anderson credited the leadership team of president and CEO John Long, chief financial officer Jeff Harris, chief lending officer Andy Hines, senior vice president and branch administrator Donna Smith, senior vice president and human resources director Michelle Stambaugh and board of directors chairman John Demyan.

That team plans to implement new technological upgrades in the near future. Among those changes is a remote capture technology that will allow business customers to scan checks to make mobile deposits.

“It’s not that we want to philosophically change the way we’re banking,” Thibault said. “We simply want to keep up with the technological advances in the industry to meet the needs of the next generation of customers. We serve everyone from millennials to customers whose banking relationship spans across generations. Many of our customers have been banking with us since they were young children – a true testament to our philosophy centered on building relationships. When we bring on that new technology, coupled with the superior personal service we are known for, we can meet the needs of all our clientele, across all generations.”

The Bank of Glen Burnie has eight locations, including the Riviera Beach branch at 8707 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena. Lobby hours are 9:00am-3:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm Monday through Friday and 9:00am-noon on Saturday. Drive-thru hours are 8:30am-6:00pm Monday through Friday and 8:30am-noon on Saturday. For more information, call 410-437-2070 or visit www.thebankofglenburnie.com.