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“Jerry Ledet is a character,” Synergy Bank customer service representative Alana Fulkerson said of her boss. “He likes to joke around, but that makes working more productive. He’s great to work for.”
Having been in the banking business since 1983, Jerry P. Ledet Jr. was among a group of local businessmen who pooled their interests and know-how to establish Synergy Bank almost 14 years ago. What started as a small player among established financial institutions has become significant in the region with $350 million in assets.
“We started an organization right after many banks in our market were bought by national and regional banks,” Ledet said. “We had to go into the community and explain why there was a need for a community banking option in our market.”
By design, this lending and savings institution was grounded in being community minded and able to work with local businesses on a level that could customize products to fit their needs. “As a result we have been named the [Houma-] Terrebonne Parish Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year,” Ledet said. “We received the [Small Business Administration] Rising Star Award and from a performance point, we have been in the top 10 and top 20 by a number of associations over the last couple of years.”
Customer service is the key to success for Ledet. “The biggest challenge is to manage customer service while we continue to grow,” he said.
During a time when some mega-banks have made a bad name for the entire finance industry, businesses like Synergy carry an advantage in being local with every decision is made locally.
“If you are looking at starting a business, refinancing or expanding, there is somebody here who has some knowledge of that [customer’s] business. Larger banks don’t have that luxury,” Ledet said.
Commitment to the community does not mean waiting for people to walk through the door for this bank either, as officers and employees prove themselves active in various events and organizations.
Ledet said that the greatest reward in his job involve seeing customers able to fulfill their dreams, and those with whom he works every day excel in their careers.
Synergy Bank CEO Jerry P. Ledet says that having a financial business started by businessmen offers advantages for both commercial and individual customers.
