End of Year Reflection

As the year draws to a close, I'm energized by the joy that the advent of the New Year brings. This is a time for reflection and setting goals, a tradition I deeply cherish with my family.

Each year, we discuss our aspirations – personal health, deepening our faith, committing to volunteer work, or planning our travels. These moments of introspection and bonding with my loved ones set the tone for the year ahead.

Reflecting on the year at Pan American Bank & Trust, I'm filled with pride at our accomplishments and the strides we've made in serving our community, especially the entrepreneurs of the Chicago metropolitan area.

One of our proudest accomplishments this year has been developing the Exclusive Checking Account, which will go live in Q1. This innovative account provides complimentary positive pay and waived remote capture fees. It also enriches your banking experience with exclusive perks such as free business management system consultations and access to special events.

Following the Exclusive Checking account, we unveiled our advanced online and mobile app system. A key feature of this system is PABT Insights, a powerful tool designed to assist our clients in monitoring spending, establishing budgets, and setting financial goals. Looking ahead to early 2024, we're excited about an upcoming Zelle? integration and enhanced ACH and wire services for our business clients.

Another significant stride we've made is revamping our new website, which, once launched in Q1, will better reflect our mission to be the preeminent bank for entrepreneurs in the Chicago metropolitan area. This website will mirror our unwavering commitment to innovation and service excellence, further solidifying our position as a leader in the business banking industry.

In addition to these exciting developments, our community engagement has been particularly rewarding this year. Participating in initiatives like Toys For Tots , Taste of Bellwood, Taste of Melrose Park, Feed My Starving Children , school supply drives, and many others has allowed us to connect with and give back to our community in meaningful ways.

A highlight of the year was receiving the "Best Friend of IL Parks – Small Business" award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts . Recognized at the IAPD "Best of the Best" Gala, this award celebrates our commitment to the Bloomingdale Park District and our support of initiatives like the Festival of Lights, Summer Concert Series, Adopt-A-Park, and the Pooch Parade fundraiser.

Looking inward, there's been a palpable shift in our mindset at the bank. We've become laser-focused on our mission to empower entrepreneurs in the Chicago metropolitan area. We run our bank not as a faceless corporation – but with the passion, creativity, and agility of entrepreneurs.

Our strategies for 2024 reflect a win-win approach for all - our bank, clients, and communities. Our dedication to fueling business growth in the Chicago metropolitan area is unwavering. We're committed to making dreams a reality and fostering an environment where entrepreneurial spirit thrives.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our clients, staff, board of directors, and community partners. Your trust, hard work, and collaboration have been the cornerstone of our success. As we step into the new year, let's carry this momentum forward, continuing to build a future where everyone prospers.

Together, we're not just building a bank – but a community and a legacy. Here's to a prosperous and fulfilling 2024!