One on One: Victor Rodriguez
También puedes leer este artículo en español, Uno a Uno: Victor Rodriguez.
Meet Victor Rodriguez, a loan officer for First Security Bank in Jonesboro and a 2024 graduate of Leadership Jonesboro, Class 38.
What does your daily work involve?
In addition to originating personal and business loans, another of my main duties is to build relationships in the community in order to be of service for everyone’s banking needs. When we bring a lending customer to First Security Bank, our end goal is to have that customer’s full banking relationship, whether that’s checking accounts, cash management products, trust and wealth management products, etc. I accomplish this mostly by volunteering my time. I also joined a couple of board committees and got involved with the chamber of commerce. I am currently a part of the Northeast Arkansas Hispanic Professionals Network board and the United Way of Northeast Arkansas board.
Did you get an educational degree or go straight to work?
I graduated from Arkansas State University’s Neil Griffin College of Business. I obtained my bachelor’s (degree) in finance. While in school, I began my career in banking as a part-time teller.
Where do you live and why did you choose Arkansas?
I live in Jonesboro and have lived here for eight years. I will be moving to Little Rock in mid-August for work (I am staying with First Security Bank). I was raised in Lonoke and chose to stay in Arkansas for its sense of community. The people of Arkansas are very hospitable; if anyone is in need, the people will rally up to help.
What are your hobbies?
I love to travel and learn about different cultures and their people. There are times when I will take two-night weekend trips to cool places, such as Cancun, Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago, etc. Another hobby I have recently picked up is running. In 2022, I ran my first 5K at 26 minutes. I love to run at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro. I will need to find a new running spot in Little Rock once I move.
What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?
Living here is just easy and comfortable, and I could see myself raising a family here in the future. Another thing I love about Arkansas is you will never go without seeing any nature wherever you go. I also love that we have everything and anything an adventure seeker needs, whether that’s floating the Buffalo River, hiking up Petit Jean Mountain, riding your bike in the trails at Craighead Forest Park, fishing the Arkansas River, etc.
How has it helped you to be bilingual in your work?
I consider being bilingual a blessing in my line of work. In the Hispanic/Latino community, there is still this sense of unavailability to banking as a whole. The Hispanic/Latino community still does not know that all the banking products are available at their disposal. I use my ability of being bilingual to bring financial literacy to my community and also help my community achieve success.
Connect with Victor at victor.rodriguez@fsbank.com.