Only in Smalltown USA can the boy who opened his very first savings account at the local bank grow up to be bank president.
‘This is something I’ve worked towards and I appreciate the opportunity. I’m very excited,? said Jeff Davidson, referring to his recent appointment as president and chief executive officer of Oxford Bank.
On Jan. 1, 2004, Davidson, who’s been employed with Oxford Bank since September 1985, will become the 11th president and seventh CEO in financial institution’s 119-year history.
‘When I interviewed Jeff (in 1985), there wasn’t any doubt in my mind he was a perfect fit with Oxford Bank right from the get-go,? said current bank president and CEO Randy Fox. ‘I hired him so I’m not surprised he has become my heir apparent. I knew that he had talent. It was clear he was a talented young man.?
Fox will remain with the bank for the next three years as chairman of the bank and chairman, president and CEO of Oxford Bank Corporation, the holding company which owns the bank.
Born and raised in Oxford, Davidson, who now resides in Metamora, is no stranger to the independent, community bank bearing the town’s name.
‘I became acquainted with the bank very early,? said the 1971 Oxford High graduate, who’s father, Donald Davidson, served on the bank’s board of directors from 1964 to 1983.
‘I opened my very first savings account at Oxford Bank. I obtained my very first car loan from Oxford Bank,? said Davidson, adding that even though he worked for a competing bank during the early years of his career, he obtained his first home mortgage from Oxford Bank.
‘I had the opportunity to come on board (with Oxford Bank) early in my career, but I chose not to because my dad was on the bank board,? Davidson explained. ‘I really wanted to prove myself outside Oxford Bank with the hope of coming back some day.?
That day came in 1985 when Fox, who became president the prior year, was building his management team.
‘Jim Sherman, Sr. (president of Sherman Publications, Inc. and owner of The Oxford Leader) recommended Jeff to me,? Fox said. ‘He said, ‘I think you two would click.??
The pair did click and Davidson was hired as an assistant vice president with responsibility for branch administration. He was promoted to vice president in December 1987 and executive vice president in December 2001.
Since 1991 Davidson has served as the retail banking officer, which means all six of the bank’s branches, including the main office, report to him.
Davidson’s responsibilities have included strategic retail issues, regulatory compliance for security, bank secrecy, privacy and CRA, and all insurance requirements for the bank. In addition to the retail and branch offices, he has overseen the marketing, human resources, and auditing management team.
Fox said Davidson’s promotion to executive vice president two years ago was an ‘opportunity for Jeff to show his stuff? and ‘test his mettle.?
‘At the December meeting, the board (of directors) concluded Jeff was the man,? Fox said.
Davidson said he feels he’s up to challenge and credits Fox with helping him get where he is today.
As the new bank president and CEO, Davidson said he’s supported by a ‘strong management team,? with whom he ‘shares a lot of the same values.?
‘We know what the bank is and what we want the bank to be,? he said. ‘Continuing the bank’s record growth? and ‘continuing to operate as a strong community bank with ties to each community we operate in? are some of Davidson’s top priorities.
‘Staying in touch with who we are? will be a key element of Davidson’s administration.
When asked what separates Oxford Bank from the large, national banks, Davidson said it’s the ‘decision-making process? that’s completely ‘local.?
‘Customers walk in the bank and we’re sitting right here. We’re easy to get a hold off. We return phone calls,? he said. ‘We’re connected with the community. Customers appreciate that.? But Davidson’s connection to community goes beyond the bank.?