MTH Industries, a Hillside, Ill.-based architectural glass and metal supplier, acquired a valuable contract for a large mixed use high-rise in February after working closely with Leaders Bank, headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill.  The opportunity emerged because a previous contractor could not secure bonding.  MTH itself had to satisfy stringent bond requirements. 

      "We needed the bank to bend a little bit," says Lyle Hill, president of MTH Industries.  "The bonding company said 'we like what you're doing, but your bank line's going to expire before the project's complete.'  I needed quick indication that this was doable.  Leaders called, saying 'we think we can work this out, let's get into specifics.'  You've got to have that verbal commitment fast.  Soon after, I had everything I needed from Leaders.  It was a really good feeling.  They were very flexible."

      Leaders' custom solution amended MTH's line of credit agreement, including extending the maturity date and modifying debt service covenant ratios to allow MTH the breathing room it needed.

      "This job allowed me to put a dozen people back to work.  That's tremendous," Hill says.  "We have good people.  You want to reciprocate loyalty."

      The bank and Hill meet regularly.  "Good news or bad, he's very proactive and forthright," says Tom Carmody, senior VP of Leaders Bank.

      "If you've ever needed your bank to be your partner, it's now," Hill says.  "I go to bed sometimes thinking where I'd be if I was with our old bank.  At times, I wasn't even sure who to call.  We were one customer amoung thousands."

      For BarnettBates, fabricators of aluminum grating and steel architectural fencing, the situation was different, but the outcome similarly successful.  They outgrew their longtime bank.  After choosing a larger bank in May 2008, the company found it had to switch directions again.  "We were moving toward deal specifics, but they started changing things - negatives for us that weren't expressed before.  We'd already spoken several times and it didn't seem like a good basis for going forward," says Bob Barnett, president of BarnettBates.

      The company contacted Leaders.  "We felt BarnettBates was honest, direct and harworking.  That was reinforced with ech meeting," notes Carter Huhta, president of Leaders' Hoffman Estates Banking Center.

      "When Jim Lynch, CEO of Leaders Bank, met with us, he was in my office and he said 'BarnettBates, for us, is a fastball down the middle,'" Barnett recalls.  "That really grabbed me."  Leaders delivered its proposal in person, ensuring everything was understood. 

      "We have the operating money to deal with disconnects between customer payment and vendor payment.  We've also gone forward with confidence to expand sales activity," Barnett says.

      Leaders provides a line of credit, commercial mortgage, equipment loan, and services including a convenience that allows the company to deposit checks electronically, instead of shipping checks as was previously required.

      "Personal attention is key with Leaders.  They're trying to build a relationship that lasts, just as we are," says Barnett.