Kevin Chamberlain is senior vice president and relationship manager for Citizens Bank’s Middle Market Commercial Banking Group.
In his current position, Chamberlain is responsible for serving the needs of a portfolio of corporate clients, as well as developing new business within the Rhode Island market and the nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut markets.
Chamberlain joined Citizens in 2010. Previously, he worked at Stoughton, Mass.-based Randolph Savings, covering the Rhode Island market. In his current position, he is based at Citizens’ corporate headquarters in Providence.
He graduated from Brown University with a degree in mathematical economics.
PBN: Which duties does your current position involve?
CHAMBERLAIN: I listen to our middle market corporate clients and connect them with the capabilities that Citizens offers to help them succeed and grow.
As a trusted adviser, I help our clients make the best decisions so they can build strong businesses, create jobs, achieve their professional goals, and contribute to the economic strength and well-being of Rhode Island. I strive every day to ensure that our clients reach their potential and achieve enduring success.
PBN: In serving the middle market, which size companies do you serve?
CHAMBERLAIN: I work mostly with corporate clients across all industry sectors with annual revenue from about $25 million to $500 million, but I have a few sponsor-owned and publicly traded clients that are significantly larger.
I help deliver long-term value for my clients by serving as their strategic and financial partner, offering expertise and tailored solutions throughout the life cycle of their business. I get to know my clients – and their unique goals and challenges – and connect them with the solutions and services of the bank that will help them meet their strategic objectives.
PBN: What trends are you seeing among the companies you serve?
CHAMBERLAIN: I’m seeing that clients across the board are looking for ways to take advantage of the latest technological solutions to help their businesses, particularly in the area of treasury solutions. I’m excited to be able to offer them “accessOPTIMA,” which is Citizens’ new cash management platform. We are able to help them be more efficient by reducing their reliance on paper and doing more transactions online.
Also, in today’s complex global economy, corporate decision makers need a strong financial partner who is also a committed and trusted adviser. I have the experience and thorough market knowledge to assist decision makers in identifying and executing on valuable business opportunities. I try to help my clients see around corners. Citizens has a lot to offer that can help my clients mitigate risk.
PBN: What has been one of your principal accomplishments?
CHAMBERLAIN: I keep my clients at the center of everything I do. As my clients grow, I’m able to offer them the resources, expertise and capabilities of the whole bank.
For one client in particular, who was growing at a very rapid rate, I was able to connect them with our Business Capital and Capital Markets teams to make sure they had the ability to execute their growth initiatives seamlessly.
Simultaneously, we worked with our Treasury Solutions team to integrate and streamline the cash management functions of their acquisitions and offer a Corporate Card that provides a meaningful cash rebate. There’s great satisfaction when you can help a client in so many different ways.
PBN: What skills are most useful in your job?
CHAMBERLAIN: I think being a good listener is vital in the role of a corporate banking relationship manager, so you can bring to bear actionable ideas to our clients, utilizing all the resources the bank has to offer.
In addition to knowing what products and services the bank has to offer, we need to fully understand our clients’ businesses and the industries in which they operate to provide them with the appropriate ideas and solutions.
We need to be good problem solvers and people who really care deeply about the success of our clients because our clients are the backbone of the communities where we live and work.
Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com
