Beving Goes From Receptionist to VP in Banking
Needing a job as she and her husband were starting their family, Chelsea Beving applied for a receptionist position at a bank. That job turned into a full-time career as she later became a teller, a lender and, as she says, “everywhere in between.”
Today, Beving is vice president and retail market manager at Peoples Savings Bank in Wellsburg. She says her position also involves a heavy amount of loan operations. “My role as a real estate lender has to be the most rewarding and probably most challenging,” she said. “Having the privilege of playing a key role in a transaction involving a first-time homebuyer is great to be a part of.”
How did you get into banking as a career?
My husband and I were living in Wellsburg and starting our family so, out of convenience, I applied for the receptionist position at Peoples Savings Bank in 2013 and was thrilled when they offered me the job. I have been the receptionist, the teller, the lender and everywhere in between.
Prior to your current role, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had, and what lesson did it teach you that you still use today?
I wouldn’t say it was unusual but prior to getting into banking I worked for a husband and wife who shared an office. The husband was an attorney and the wife was a CPA. Depending on the time of year, I was busy going through tax returns, learning and re-running the numbers to ensure accuracy. The majority of the year I was working alongside the husband as a legal secretary — typing court orders, title opinions, preparing deeds, etc. Both areas of the job helped me tremendously in my role as real estate lender.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
My role as a real estate lender has to be the most rewarding. Having the privilege of playing a key role in a transaction involving a first-time homebuyer is great to be a part of. It can many times be the largest life milestone for my customers at that time in their lives. Being able to be with them every step of the way is what I feel is most important because buying your first home can be scary and so confusing for anyone who does not working in real estate or banking. PSB, to me, is the true definition of a community bank or — as we are sometimes referred to — a small-town bank. We know each customer by name and care for each one of them.
How does getting involved with the Iowa Bankers Association help you and your bank?
In my career, I’ve been to many events hosted by the IBA. I’m grateful to be a key part of our bank’s marketing team and the peer groups and speakers are so beneficial. Listening to the experts and bouncing things off your peers is the best way to get ideas and figure out what the rest of the industry is doing. I have also been able to complete the Iowa Consumer Credit School program along with many seminars and webinars including but not limited to Lending Law, Real Estate Compliance, New Account seminars and more. The compliance response team at the IBA is also always helpful and quick to respond when you’re in a time-sensitive situation.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
I have a husband and three daughters so I love being able to spend my time with them. Our favorite pastime in the summer is getting in our pool every spare second we get. I also was able to coach my daughter’s softball team last year and that was so much fun. I loved the girls and I love softball; it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Wellsburg is an amazing community, and I’ve been able to get involved in church and community events and plan and be a part of great teams here.
What is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
This one is tough. One of my favorites though: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard … is what makes it great.”
— Actor Tom Hanks playing Jimmy Dugan in the film, “A League of Their Own”