Schnepf Farms is an East Valley institution, and Gateway Bank is proud to call them a customer. With Gateway’s Mesa bank as their go-to partner, the Schnepf team has enjoyed better service, fast funding, and giving back to the community where they’ve been for decades.

“Schnepf Farms banked with one of the big three for decades. I really didn’t think a community bank could serve the needs of the farm because we’re a big operation. Boy was I wrong.” – Mark Schnepf

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Transcript:

James Christensen, Gateway Bank:

First off we [Gateway Bank] feel very fortunate to be able to work with Schnepf. You guys are so awesome! Plus, you’re two of the absolute hardest working people I’ve ever met.

What are some of the advantages, or what would you say to somebody that was looking at a community bank?

Mark Schnepf, Schnepf Farms:

Well let me tell you our story.

Schnef Farms banked with one of the big three for decades, and I really didn’t think a smaller bank or community bank could serve the needs of the farm because we’re a big operation. Boy, was I wrong!

When we found Gateway Bank, it was the difference between night and day. We personal care and attention. Even though we were preferred clients at the other banks, we never had personal care. We weren’t to apply and get the answer on a loan application in a 2 to 3 week time period.

Our experience is just night and day different compared to a large bank that took literally weeks and weeks, and had to go through all kinds of levels and departments, and end up with final approval out of state. And it was so frustrating for us.

So it’s the idea that you take the time to come out and visit the property, understand what we’re doing, and catch our vision. You’re in the community, so you know the impact that we have in the community, and you’re able to say, “Yeah this makes good sense. And let’s support what the chefs are doing.”

Carrie Schnepf, Schnepf Farms:

I also love it because now I do the personal banking here. I send my employees here because they get swallowed up in some of these big banks too. They’re so frustrated and I say, “Well just go to my little bank. You’ll love them. They just take really good care of you.” You’ve had long-time clients who are long-time employees of ours that have been banking with you guys.

And the service that we get is impeccable. I love everyone there. It doesn’t matter where you’re traveling or whatever you’re doing. It’s just like you’re that important. I can call them from wherever I am, and they’ll just take care of you.

They’ve even opened the bank for us in the middle of the night to solve a problem!

Mark Schnepf, Schnepf Farms:

We were overseas in Italy. We needed to do a wire transfer. There wasn’t any place in Italy where you could actually go to a bank and take money out. They wouldn’t let you. So I called James, and he said, “Sure enough we’ll help!” It’s 2:00 in the morning, and he goes off.

So I got to give you a hug for that because that was so awesome! Cheryl came in and met me there. It was just like beyond, beyond, beyond. Our son got married, and it was perfect.

You would never get that at another bank that wasn’t a small community bank.

James Christensen, Gateway Bank:

It also helps to have really cool customers because then you don’t mind doing it!