From the Perimeter to the Center
In the world of community banking, we often talk about “knowing your customer.” But rarely do we see a story where the customer knows the bank so well that he ends up leading it.
Several years ago, Matt Price came into our lobby with a briefcase in his hand and a file with papers under one arm. As a respected attorney, he spent his career on what he calls the perimeter of the economy — advising, protecting and navigating the intricate legal landscapes for the community’s builders and entrepreneurs. He was a client first, a student of the bank’s impact second, and today, he is its president and CEO.
The Evolution Of An Advocate
The transition from a law firm to the president’s office might seem like a sharp pivot to an outsider, but to those who have watched Matt’s career, it feels more like a natural evolution.
“In my legal practice, I was always an advocate,” he says. “But as my career progressed, I found myself moving closer and closer to the center of my clients’ dreams. I realized that while a legal brief can protect a business, a well-allocated loan can fuel it. I wanted to be the one providing the spark.”
His journey proves that the strongest leaders are those who’ve experienced both sides of the desk. Having been a customer himself, Matt understands the frustration of “commodity banking” and the immense value of having a strategic partner who truly listens.
The Introduction To State Bank
Matt’s initial introduction to State Bank was nearly a decade ago. He and two neighbors had formed a small company to purchase a piece of property near their homes in Zionsville. They had initially worked through a large bank’s application process to secure a loan for the land purchase. After many weeks of working with that bank, they were notified that their loan had been denied. Matt received the news through a telephone call as he was driving along State Road 334, heading back to Zionsville.
“We had to close on the sale in a week, and an extension from the seller was not an option,” he says. “I literally looked over my right shoulder and saw the State Bank branch while driving. I didn’t know anyone at the bank, but I knew we needed help. I decided to go to State Bank.”
Matt walked into our lobby (no appointment necessary), met with a banker, and left with an approved loan.
“We closed on that property a few days later, and I told everyone I knew about how State Bank made it happen. They made me and my neighbors feel valued as customers,” he says.
At State Bank, relationships are a priority, and the vision is to build a bank where every customer talks about how valued they feel. Matt’s introduction to State Bank reflects how the bank meets customers where they are at that time with the right approach and the desired result.
An Insider’s View
Matt told his neighbors, friends and family about State Bank and eventually was asked to join the bank’s board of directors. From that vantage point, he could see the real impact of a community bank that saw itself as a strategic partner for its clients.
“I saw firsthand that my story was not unique in the sense that the bank was committed to its clients and went the extra mile as a matter of practice,” he says. “I saw the professionalism and commitment of our bankers, and I fell deeper in love the more I learned about the bank and its focus on the customers’ success.”
While Matt’s career path was still unfolding, one thing was abundantly clear: State Bank provided fuel for its customers and their communities.
“I witnessed the positive impact a community bank could have with the right focus and vision. My own life path became very clear through the lens of State Bank,” Price adds.
A Different Kind Of Catalyst
Matt brings a unique “lawyer’s rigor” to the president’s desk, but it’s tempered by what he calls his “true love” for the community. He doesn’t see the bank as just a vault of money, but as a reservoir of potential.
“I’ve spent a lifetime looking at the risks,” he says. “But the greatest risk a community bank can take is staying silent when a local entrepreneur has a vision. My job is to use my experience to find the ‘yes’ that others miss — to navigate the complexity so our neighbors can focus on their goals and dreams.”
Under his leadership, the bank is reclaiming its seat at the head of the community table. It isn’t just about processing transactions; it’s about strategic advocacy. Whether it’s helping a family business navigate a difficult succession or structuring a complex downtown revitalization project, Matt is applying the same “catalyst thinking” that made him a formidable lawyer to his new role as chief architect of the local economy.
Returning To The Heart
Walking through the bank today, you’ll still see Matt in the lobby, but the briefcase is often replaced by a handshake. He isn’t tucked away in a back office; he is at the center, where the action is.
“I loved the law, but I’ve always loved the results more,” he says with a smile. “There is no better feeling than driving down Main Street and seeing a storefront open or a new building under construction, knowing that we provided the fuel to make it happen.”
Matt’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the best way to serve a community is to stop advising from the sidelines and start leading from the heart.
