New bank leader settling in

Oct 13, 2009 (The News Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ZZGCX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Raised in the Portland area, Steve Maxwell has returned to Pierce County - where he earned a degree at Pacific Lutheran University, began his career in banking and met and married his wife.

After graduating with a degree in business, Maxwell joined US Bank and later KeyBank. It was in the Rose City that he matriculated within Key, gaining the position of executive vice president. Last month he was named president of the South Sound District, which comprises 62 branches along the I-5 corridor from Sea-Tac to Longview, and west throughout the Olympic Peninsula.

Returning north, Maxwell replaces Tom Spilman, who has been promoted to president of KeyBank in Colorado.

Maxwell, 41, joined KeyBank in 1993 and has worked both in Tacoma and Olympia. Last year he earned one of the bank's highest honors - the KeyCorp Chairman's Award. Speaking of senior leadership and his own style, he says he appreciates the value of local decision-making in matters from credit to pricing. He credits success to what he terms "strategic agility."

Along with his finance specialization at PLU, Maxwell has earned a masters of business administration from Washington State University.

He and his wife, Kim, have 9-year-old twins. While his family remains in Oregon, Maxwell says he is looking for a home in the Tacoma area.

We spoke early last week, a day after Maxwell competed in the Portland Marathon - his third marathon in 12 months.

Returning to the South Sound, have you noticed much change from your days at PLU?

We've come back quite a bit. I do note the downtown core, the cityscape, the museums, UWT. There's obviously been a lot of leadership and planning that went into that.

How do you feel about the promotion?

I feel very proud, but very humble. This is a city I have a history in - and a lot of friends.

You're filling some seriously big shoes. Tom Spilman was active in the community as well as serving Key. You've only just started, but how does the job shape up?

Tom's a friend. He did a fantastic job in this market. He built a strong leadership team and a culture for employees. I recognize that I'm replacing a respected and highly capable person. I intend to use a lot of the things he did, and I have ideas of my own.

What I'm seeing, the teams are working together. This is a community bank - commercial, business, private banking and retail. It's people working together. It affirms what I had hoped to find.

What kind of a stamp can people expect from you?

I'm still evaluating where I can contribute. I'm a very strategic thinker. Right now, I'm assessing the environment.

What kinds of challenges are you expecting?

Most of my previous work was in commercial banking in Oregon, from Ashland to Southwest Washington. Probably the biggest challenge - we've succeeded through loan growth and deposit growth. We have the products to compete and win.

How will people be describing you six months from now?

Involved. Visible. I like to involve people, get their buy-in, and hold them accountable. I bring people into the process. They'll see someone who's visible, out in the field.

Meeting clients is my favorite thing to do. I was a relationship manager for Key, in commercial banking. (I'm looking forward to meeting) clients we still have today that I used to be a relationship manager for.

Your predecessor was quite active as a leader in the community, working with boards and nonprofits. How much of a commitment will you have to that?

I think it's huge. It's incumbent on us to contribute to the community. In Oregon, I served on boards - I'm committed to that. What I need to do is evaluate the different opportunities. I will get engaged.

What groups in Oregon?

Friends of the Children, a mentorship program for at-risk youth. Pioneer Courthouse Square. Financial literacy. I was a volunteer with the Portland Rescue Mission, mentoring as well as serving meals. And Greenlight Greater Portland, an organization whose mission is to work with the various cities, counties, chambers, et cetera in the recruitment and retention of businesses.

If you're going to be involved, you have to find something you're passionate about.

How will you go about choosing your involvement, and Key's contribution?

I'll talk to the leadership team, community relations people, clients. I'll seek input from a lot of sources.

How do you assess the South Sound market these days?

I think it's attractive. There is certainly a lot of competition. There's a diversity of the economic base, and growth opportunities. And it's a great place to live.

You're coming back soon after Tacoma heard it will be losing one of its major employers. Any thoughts on Russell?

They'll be missed, but with change comes opportunity. I'm looking forward to the chance to meet with local leaders.

Bankers and banks have lately been in the news like never before. Some banks have failed and others, as you know, are in trouble. How about Key?

We do have money to loan, we absolutely do. It's been a challenge to be a banker, and to be in business. Our industry has gone through a great deal of change and upheaval. But I can think of employers - where we have helped people fund their businesses, or college education.

You were a four-year guard for the Lutes basketball team. Now you're a marathon runner. Where does that fit into your profile?

I'm a very competitive person. It's about the most competitive thing you can do. I'd love to run up here.

C.R. Roberts: 253-597-8535

c.r.roberts@thenewstribune.com

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