Interview with Curt Queyrouze, president of TAB Bank
This article is part of a series featuring business executives who choose to live and work in Utah. If you know of an executive we should interview, please get in touch with us.
Banking is not all about transactions; it’s about relationships.
Curt Queyrouz, president of TAB Bank, understands the importance of partnering and working alongside clients on a personalized level.
TAB Bank was founded in 1998 in Ogden, Utah, as an entirely online bank with a foundation of nearly 23 years, offering customized solutions to serve the needs of small- and medium-sized commercial businesses throughout the U.S.
The bank serves as a premier digital bank for small businesses and leverages the best of FinTech to help achieve customer success through deep partnership and open banking infrastructure. TAB Bank meets the needs of companies at all stages and economic conditions. It empowers small- to medium-sized businesses through various programs, including asset-based revolving loans, accounts receivable financing, lines of credit, equipment financing, and treasury management services.
How did you get started in the industry?
The financial industry has been a passion of mine for a long time. I hold a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Louisiana State University and taught several classes on financial analysis, cash flow analysis, and loan structuring.
I have more than 30 years of commercial finance and banking experience, including credit, sales, and portfolio management positions in asset-based lending, factoring, corporate banking, oil and gas finance, real estate lending, financial institutions, healthcare finance, and middle marketing lending.
My passion for supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses is equally balanced with a passion for technology and the power of FinTech. I feel fortunate to have a career that blends commercial banking with cutting-edge financial technology.
What recent professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of our team, especially as an online bank that doesn’t operate through typical branch offices. I believe the culture of our team is our most vital organizational asset.
TAB Bank recently played an important role in processing paycheck protection program (PPP) loans, particularly for the small business community. We had approximately one-third of our employees focused entirely on PPP loans. We were focused on making sure every company had the opportunity to receive these loans down to one loan we processed for $150. Several employees made it their mission to ensure we helped as many small businesses as possible.
In total, our bank processed more than 10,000 loans that assisted more than 50,000 employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
What do you like most about living in Utah?
I love the focus on local communities and our broader business community. This is a great region for outdoor fitness and sports, and I appreciate the emphasis Utahns’ have on health and wellness.
Also, the innovative technology spawned from the three research-based universities in the state is world-class.
What do you like most about doing business in Utah?
Utah is a very business-friendly state, as the national rankings continue to remind us. Our state is also a prominent hub for innovation, especially in technology. Because TAB is an online bank, we can operate without a heavy, serious need for real estate and commercial facilities. But the presence of infrastructure and services makes this an ideal location for business and an ideal place to live.
What advice do you have for individuals considering starting a business, or relocating their business, to Utah?
Small businesses should network with each other and stay active and connected in professional associations and organizations such as local chambers and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Find the status and location of the resources you need, such as business credit and financial services and the real estate and infrastructure you’ll need to succeed.
The Utah business community is known for looking out for each other. Still, individuals need to be as involved as possible in various networks and associations that can help them succeed.
What’s your primary challenge in doing business in Utah?
These challenges are certainly not unique to Utah, but traffic, shortage of real estate, and other key resources. Also, the rising prices for everything ranging from food to real estate and other resources are a challenge right now for us all.
We need to be thoughtful and insightful to protect and ensure the availability of skilled labor and the resources we need to support our small businesses, especially, which serve as the backbone for our state and even our U.S. economy.
What’s your business philosophy?
The concept of community extends far beyond your physical neighborhood or even your employees. The community extends to all your customers, partners, industry sectors, the ecosystem you are working within, and even your competitors. We all rely on each other and strive to be strong community supporters in the broadest sense possible.
What do you like most about being president of TAB Bank?
I love the chance to work with our team in innovating new programs that support small businesses. With the support of our team and partners, we can make a significant difference.
Tell me a fun fact about yourself.
I’ve taught several classes on fitness and workout strategies and been fortunate to volunteer for leadership positions at nonprofit organizations that advocate for arts and humanities and disease awareness and prevention.
