Written by Mark Skornia, Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager
Originally published in the St. Louis Business Journal on June 2, 2025
At First Bank, we’re proud of our multi-generational, family-owned, and St. Louis, MO-based heritage. As a one-stop financial resource and strategic partner for businesses across various backgrounds and industries, we proudly help clients turn challenges into opportunities.
In times of uncertainty, our counterparts will often focus on expense management, capital allocation, consolidation of business lines, and management roles. The focus becomes on “growth” markets, advisory fees, and creation of industry-specialty groups with too few relationship managers covering vast geographic territories.
Our team of experienced commercial lenders features expertise across various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and wholesale sectors. With a commitment to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within each vertical, our team strives to provide strategic, comprehensive services designed to foster growth and success.
Offering a Comprehensive, Back-to-Basics Approach
Bucking national trends, First Bank’s go-to market strategy hasn’t changed in 115 years. It’s evolved, but at the end of the day, it’s the same as it’s always been. We offer “back-to-basics banking”, build long-term relationships, and help clients navigate uncertain times. With First Bank, you can expect to receive personalized, local service from a single point-of-contact from start to finish.
With this comprehensive approach, we also have intelligence regarding our clients’ vendors and customers.
Possessing Experience in Unique, Complex Situations
Complexity of the current economic environment is not unlike other challenges that we’ve faced and navigated throughout our history.
As a stable, family-owned business, we have the experience to help you manage through it all. During times of uncertainty, it’s wise to not put your entire banking relationship with only one provider.
From our holistic advisory services to First Bank’s Commercial Lending and Banking, we can expand your financial advisory team while not disrupting your main banking relationship. Together, we'll work to help you achieve your short and long-term goals.
Below are some industry-specific scenarios, illustrating how we’ve supported clients in addressing their unique needs.
Distributor Scenario
During a national health and economic crisis, a First Bank client needed to make larger purchases from a primary vendor to maintain inventory allotment and improve margin opportunity. We understood this business needed to have temporary debt capital in order to move forward. First Bank stepped up to support this distributor with what they needed. After the crisis, the client normalized to a new, larger level of business maintaining enhanced margins.
Manufacturer Scenario
A First Bank client manufactures and supplies to an industry with few customers, multiple needs, and evolving demands. First Bank understands the struggles of high fixed asset investment, changing volume, and rising costs. There will always be the need to adjust mid-year when the forecast starts to deviate with the annual budget.
Family Business Scenario
When a family business needs to work through the individual needs of each family member, a strategic partner can be an asset. When a First Bank client was expanding their manufacturing capacity, the owners needed to determine the future direction.
First Bank stood by and continued to offer support as family owners determined their next steps. We continued to support family members and the business simultaneously.
Serving Clients Across Industries to Achieve Goals
First Bank’s Relationship Managers are industry agnostic and have a broad line of sight into multiple industries without having to go out of market to get industry expertise. Our experts are relationship focused, know your business, and support you through the ups and downs.
By combining deep industry knowledge with a comprehensive suite of banking services, First Bank empowers our clients to navigate their unique challenges, pivot to overcome obstacles, and achieve their business goals.
Visit www.first.bank/CommercialBanking for more information on First Bank’s Commercial Banking team and services.
Originally published in the St. Louis Business Journal on June 2, 2025
At First Bank, we’re proud of our multi-generational, family-owned, and St. Louis, MO-based heritage. As a one-stop financial resource and strategic partner for businesses across various backgrounds and industries, we proudly help clients turn challenges into opportunities.
In times of uncertainty, our counterparts will often focus on expense management, capital allocation, consolidation of business lines, and management roles. The focus becomes on “growth” markets, advisory fees, and creation of industry-specialty groups with too few relationship managers covering vast geographic territories.
Our team of experienced commercial lenders features expertise across various industries, including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and wholesale sectors. With a commitment to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within each vertical, our team strives to provide strategic, comprehensive services designed to foster growth and success.
Offering a Comprehensive, Back-to-Basics Approach
Bucking national trends, First Bank’s go-to market strategy hasn’t changed in 115 years. It’s evolved, but at the end of the day, it’s the same as it’s always been. We offer “back-to-basics banking”, build long-term relationships, and help clients navigate uncertain times. With First Bank, you can expect to receive personalized, local service from a single point-of-contact from start to finish.
With this comprehensive approach, we also have intelligence regarding our clients’ vendors and customers.
Possessing Experience in Unique, Complex Situations
Complexity of the current economic environment is not unlike other challenges that we’ve faced and navigated throughout our history.
As a stable, family-owned business, we have the experience to help you manage through it all. During times of uncertainty, it’s wise to not put your entire banking relationship with only one provider.
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| Above: The chart from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis via FRED® illustrates upward growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the St. Louis Metroplex. First Bank’s Relationship Managers know this represents untapped opportunities for private businesses in St. Louis. |
From our holistic advisory services to First Bank’s Commercial Lending and Banking, we can expand your financial advisory team while not disrupting your main banking relationship. Together, we'll work to help you achieve your short and long-term goals.
Below are some industry-specific scenarios, illustrating how we’ve supported clients in addressing their unique needs.
Distributor Scenario
During a national health and economic crisis, a First Bank client needed to make larger purchases from a primary vendor to maintain inventory allotment and improve margin opportunity. We understood this business needed to have temporary debt capital in order to move forward. First Bank stepped up to support this distributor with what they needed. After the crisis, the client normalized to a new, larger level of business maintaining enhanced margins.
Manufacturer Scenario
A First Bank client manufactures and supplies to an industry with few customers, multiple needs, and evolving demands. First Bank understands the struggles of high fixed asset investment, changing volume, and rising costs. There will always be the need to adjust mid-year when the forecast starts to deviate with the annual budget.
Family Business Scenario
When a family business needs to work through the individual needs of each family member, a strategic partner can be an asset. When a First Bank client was expanding their manufacturing capacity, the owners needed to determine the future direction.
First Bank stood by and continued to offer support as family owners determined their next steps. We continued to support family members and the business simultaneously.
Serving Clients Across Industries to Achieve Goals
First Bank’s Relationship Managers are industry agnostic and have a broad line of sight into multiple industries without having to go out of market to get industry expertise. Our experts are relationship focused, know your business, and support you through the ups and downs.
By combining deep industry knowledge with a comprehensive suite of banking services, First Bank empowers our clients to navigate their unique challenges, pivot to overcome obstacles, and achieve their business goals.
Visit www.first.bank/CommercialBanking for more information on First Bank’s Commercial Banking team and services.
Mark Skornia
Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager
p: (314) 277-4543
e: [email protected]
Possessing over 30 years of commercial and corporate banking experience, Mark grew up working in a family-owned business. His expertise encompasses manufacturing, distribution, oil/chemical, commercial construction, technology, and healthcare. He is a current member of the EverTrue Finance Committee and former Board Member of the Association of General Contractors. Mark has a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA from the University of Central Missouri.