Howard Bank's Spalding Pays Her 'Civic Rent' Through Volunteerism

To Christa Spalding, banking is all about community.

A Howard Bank vice president and manager of its Maple Lawn branch, she said she's "proud to work for a community bank, not just in the sense that it's the only locally owned and operated bank in the county, but a community bank that's devoted to the people and businesses of Maple Lawn and the surrounding communities."

Spalding joined Howard Bank three months before its official opening in 2004. Until her move to Maple Lawn, she was a relationship manager based in Columbia.

Bank president and CEO Mary Ann Scully calls her "one of those once-in-a-lifetime bankers who consistently makes a difference in the lives of their communities."

At Maple Lawn, Spalding has every intention of continuing to make a difference.

"As this area continues to grow I want the business community to know I'm here to help, whether it's with a startup or an established company," she said.

The business community in Maple Lawn may be unique in that it consists mostly of very small and home-based businesses. With their need for occasional meeting space in mind, Spalding offers the use of the branch's conference room to customers at no charge. The branch also provides free courier service to business customers for non-cash deposits.

But Spalding's sense of community extends well beyond work. A graduate of Leadership Howard County, she now serves on its board of directors. She's also on the boards of The Arc of Howard County and First Tee Howard County. She has served on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Howard County YMCA and The Maryland Banker's Association. She is a member of The Maryland Banker's Association's Leadership and Development Committee as well as a committee member for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. And she's active with the Howard County Chamber of Commerce and the Business Women's Network.

Her passion, though, is teaching children and adults who don't save as much as they should about financial literacy. She spearheaded Howard Bank's in-school banking program that has won both Maryland Banker's Association and Independent Community Bankers Association awards.

The program, which operates in several county elementary schools, lets kids open savings accounts with no minimum deposit or balance. The banks are open once a week and are staffed mainly by students who serve as tellers, security guards and marketing representatives.

"I'm committed to increasing financial literacy, whether it's through formal school-bank partnerships or presentations to the schools, religious organizations, community associations, nonprofits or business groups," Spalding said.

"If there's an organization with financial literacy needs in the Maple Lawn area, I want them to think of Howard Bank.

"I believe a community bank's relationship should be deep rooted within that community," Spalding added. "I live and work in this area, and have for more than 20 years, so I am personally committed to giving back to the community."

She calls her volunteer activities "paying my civic rent."

Spalding is a graduate of the American Institute of Banking. Since she joined the bank, Scully said, "She has been a significant factor in our own achievements and positioning as a truly community focused bank. Her leadership in our signature work on financial literacy advancement for children, teens and adults has been extraordinary.

"We're all looking forward to this latest chapter in her banking career."

For Spalding, the next chapter is getting to know and working with more of the residents and businesses in Maple Lawn and North Laurel.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity," she said. "I was very fortunate to be one of the first relationship managers hired by Howard Bank. It gave me a chance to lend a hand in developing the bank's customer experience or 'hands on' approach."

That approach continues at Maple Lawn. "Community banking is all about meeting customers' needs," Spalding said. "Community banking really is all about community."