Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Bankers Trust has a longstanding and ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive culture and community. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Bankers Trust are more than facts and figures and a list of activities. Our DEI story is made up of hundreds of individual stories of team members who represent the diverse communities we serve. In fact, inclusion is one of the bank’s five core values. The value states:

Bankers Trust Core Value: Inclusion

Bankers Trust respects, recognizes and celebrates the strength of its diversity and considers it one of our greatest assets. Bankers Trust embraces and honors the different cultures and backgrounds of its clients, employees and our community.

We know “diversity, equity and inclusion” covers a wide range of the qualities that make us different – background, ability, ethnicity, religious affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and many more. We understand that diverse teams outperform others when it comes to breakthrough thinking, innovation and creativity.

Our team members, customers and communities help us strive to constantly do more as it relates to inclusion. Some of our efforts include:

  • We listen to customers and provide solutions in 19 languages. This is a result of our effort to hire employees who mirror the communities they serve.
  • The bank’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee offers annual training to teach and address many areas of inclusion.
  • Our Next Gen Committee engages younger team members and shines a light on the value of generational diversity.
  • The EmpowHER women’s affinity group is aimed at addressing and encouraging female representation at all levels of Bankers Trust, with a focus on leadership.
  • Our CEO and President Don Coffin has taken the CEO pledge by CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, which outlines a set of actions CEOs and their companies will take to cultivate an inclusive work environment.
Lo keongam

Lo Keongam, Relationship Banking Officer, Bankers Trust South Branch

“Near the entrance of every Bankers Trust branch is a small sign listing the languages spoken by employees in that location. I am very proud of those little signs – and the total of 19 languages they highlight. They show that Bankers Trust is a melting pot – just like the communities we serve. Many banks talk about being diverse, but Bankers Trust is truly committed to mirroring and supporting our diverse communities.”

 

Partnerships

Des Moines Fellowship Program-Developing Talent for Today and Tomorrow

Bankers Trust has partnered with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and other companies to create the DSM Fellowship Program, a preeminent professional development initiative to attract, develop and retain a diverse community of top-tier graduates and early career professionals. The program allows participating companies the ability to enhance growth opportunities for their high-potential young professionals with a strong focus on diverse talent. Fellows have access to opportunities that accelerate their professional experiences and gain lasting connections that we hope will lead to a long-term career and impactful presence in the Des Moines community.

Diversify Des Moines Initiative

We’ve also partnered with other companies on the Diversify DSM Initiative, a coalition of small and medium-sized financial services companies that are committed to helping increase diverse and female representation in the Des Moines community. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest and an unemployment rate among the lowest in the nation, our job market is on the rise — which means our community, as well as the financial services industry, is in need of top talent. Diversify DSM is committed to investing in the expansion of our workforce.

DSM 4 Equity

Bankers Trust is a contributor to DSM 4 Equity, which was created to elevate Central Iowa’s effort to increase equity by connecting the region to local data, resources, and community initiatives. Through DSM 4 Equity, DEI experts across the region were recruited to develop tangible, actionable resource guides titled Employers 4 Equity Playbooks to help improve equity in organizations. Through these Employers 4 Equity Playbooks, Central Iowa organizations will have access to strategies that can be scaled and a network of support from peers who have had success in similar equity efforts.