John Price is a tire guy. He’s been hauling, stacking, setting and buying tires since 1988 when he joined his brother at a tire facility in Tulsa. He later moved north to work for a local tire shop in Claremore, but he always wanted to own his own shop.
After 30 years in the business, an opportunity presented itself. A tire shop down the road was looking to sell. The owner hoped to sell his family business to someone who would keep it a mom-and-pop tire shop.
“When I had the idea to buy, I went to Matt [Mason, market president, RCB Bank] to bounce my idea off of him,” John said. “I wanted to know if it was even possible. Matt helped me be realistic and talk through potential complications.”
“My job as John’s banker is to help him read between the lines of what he wants and needs in order to mitigate risk and identify the unknowns,” Matt said. “I ask the questions he may not have even considered so he can create a business plan that covers as many variables as possible.”
RCB Bank’s core values are relationship, community and boldness.
“Building relationships and knowing my customers play a big part in helping me help them,” said Matt. “A name and a story are better than a number in the system. It builds integrity, trust and comfortability.”
“Matt never made me feel like I was asking a dumb question,” John added. “He listened and we had an open and honest discussion about what I needed and how I was going to get there. Matt more or less provided me with what the bank needed to move forward.”
Matt calls it helping people get bankable.
“Some people come in with an idea, but they may not have the liquidity or cash flow to qualify for the financing they need,” he said. “It may not mean they don’t have a good business plan or the potential, so I work with them to show the path to get them there.”
Helping the community thrive has been the driving force behind RCB Bank since opening day in 1936 when founder L.S. Robson brought together a team of local citizens to finance the Bank so it could help local citizens keep their farms afloat and their businesses operating during the Great Depression. They made bold moves to lend money because they knew a person’s character, not just their account balance, was worth investing in.
Banking has more rules and red tape than it did 80 years ago, but building a relationship still plays a big part in banking.
“It doesn’t just help us, it helps our customers, too,” said Matt. “If a customer knows us, they’re more likely to come and ask questions, like John when he had the idea to open a shop. He was not sure it was possible and instead of talking himself out of it through fear or reservation, he came and talked to me. And we were able to help make his dream attainable.”
Today, John Price is the proud owner of Price 66 Tire & Auto in Claremore on old Route 66 at 1304 N. J.M. Davis Boulevard.
John and Matt’s relationship did not end after the loan was complete. Matt checked in often in the beginning to make sure John was doing okay. Now, the two catch up whenever they run into each other in the community, at the shop or at the bank.
“Matt makes himself available,” John said. “I trust him, knowing he cares about my success.”
“Our success is measured by the success of our customers,” Matt said. “If we help you reach your financial goals then we’ve done our job. Our employees are easy to get to know. We want you to feel comfortable discussing your business and banking matters with us, so I invite you to stop by and get to know us.”
Pictured above: John Price, owner of Price 66 Tire & Auto, with Matt Mason, RCB Bank Claremore market president.
Lending services are subject to credit approval. Some restrictions apply. RCB Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. NMLS #798151, Matt Mason NMLS #799316
