Banking a Perfect Fit for Bloomingdale
A career in banking wasn’t originally on Mike Bloomingdale’s radar. He did, however, want a career in which he could build relationships and help businesses grow. Clearly, banking was a perfect fit. “Working at a bank gives you the opportunity to work with people in your community and help them become financially successful,” he said. “It also provides you with many opportunities to become involved and give back to the community.”
Today, Bloomingdale, who graduated from the University of Iowa, is an assistant vice president at Clear Lake Bank & Trust. “After being a commercial banker for the last three years, I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said.
What drove you to choose a career in banking?
I was never really driven to choose a career in banking, but I was intrigued by the opportunity to build relationships and help businesses grow. After being a commercial banker for the last three years, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What is one lesson working in the banking industry has taught you, and how do you apply it to your everyday life?
The importance of having your finances in order — recognizing the difference between needs and wants.
What is your best elevator pitch for why banking is a great career?
Working at a bank gives you the opportunity to work with people in your community and help them become financially successful. It also provides you with many opportunities to become involved and give back to the community.
How does getting involved with the Iowa Bankers Association help you and your bank?
Being involved in the Iowa Bankers Association has helped me continue my education in the banking world. The more knowledge and the better understanding you have in all aspects of the bank, the more you can contribute.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do most?
Spend time with my wife and two kids (soon to be three) and golf.
What is a quote or guiding principle you live by?
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Shame on the man of cultivated taste who lets refinement to develop in to fastidiousness that unfits him for doing the rough work of a work day world
— Teddy Roosevelt