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Travel a mere thirty miles west of Houston and you'll discover a town that pales in size to its big city neighbor, but is thriving with a rich heritage of culture and people. |
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Katy Business Leaders
Robert Kramer does a lot of laughing while describing the 45 years he's been involved in community banking. But that's not to say that he's seen nothing but happy days.
ENTREPRENEUR ARCHIVE -- Al Johnson, Jason Yeow, Pat Harris: SBA Lending -- Robert Kramer: Banker -- Amber Gustafson: Jeweler -- Dr. James Jacobs: Podiatric Physician -- Gildardo Leon: Restauranteur -- Bruce Reichstein: Mortgage, Banking, Internet
Amidst fond recollections of the people and places his career has taken him, Kramer, the proposed President and organizer of Westbound Bank, also remembered a time that tried him like no other. He hardly takes credit for any of what he accomplished, but recalls it as a defining moment in his professional life. "When I was with Independence Bank, Texas went through a trying economic time," he said. "The oil industry was in shambles and the real estate market was in a heck of a mess. All the big banks were affected and no one knew what had hit them. Quite honestly, we were grasping at straws. But we were able to manage a bank and guide it through the storm without ever having to ask for more capital. We started making SBA loans when no one would make a loan. The premiums I received I re-capitalized back through earnings. I can't take close to all the credit for that, but it was probably my proudest professional accomplishment." There were many before and have been many since Kramer's time with Independence Bank. His 25 years of management experience in lending and 20 years in bank operations have given him the opportunity to work with a dizzying array of top-notch institutions. He has spent time with Bank of Texas, and most recently Wells Fargo before joining the proposed Westbound Bank. All of his experience has been in the Houston Metropolitan area, however, his life's work started in the humblest of places. "I started out in the mail room," he recalled with a chuckle, "putting addresses on envelopes. But early on in my career I knew this was what I wanted to do. In the 1960s, automation was new and the challenges that we faced really enticed me. I decided to stay in banking, and I've enjoyed it ever since." Kramer never once mentions money while discussing his passion; he can't stop talking about people. He remembers the people who trusted him early in his career, and those who believed in him when the chips were down. He carries fond memories of the people he's been able to help and the people that have helped him along the way. The most fulfilling part of being a banker has nothing to do with earnings, he said. It has to do with finding ways to help people live their dreams. "It's been a lot of fun helping people reach their goals and dreams," Kramer said. "I guess that's the most rewarding thing - helping a customer take a dream and make it a reality." The other people that Kramer couldn't stop talking about are his own, the employees that make a bank tick. He said that they are any company's true assets, and that he looks forward to working with them to serve the Katy community. "What I've learned is that if you treat employees with respect, you don't have to tell them that you're the boss," Kramer said. "If you show respect, say thank you, and acknowledge when they've done a good job, you'll build a better workplace." And Kramer plans to bring that passion to Katy in his new role with the proposed Westbound Bank. He's been active in The Exchange Club, Kiwanis, Rotary International, and currently the Knights of Columbus during his career, and has chaired several fundraising events to support local charities and community organizations as well. He continues to chuckle when asked if he wants to add anything else to his list of accomplishments. "No, my life's been pretty simple," he says. But Kramer is dead serious about one thing: giving his customers what they deserve. "We are looking forward to building a dynamic bank whose customers can rely on when they need it," Kramer said. "We will build a bank that is well-respected in the community and that provides services and products our customers need." And to Kramer, that's no laughing matter. |
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