In an era where online banking has become the norm, there’s still something reassuring about walking into a branch and being greeted with a smile and a friendly, “Hello, how can I help you?”
For many customers at Dart Bank, that friendly face is Avonte Bell. A personal banker working out of Dart’s Grand Ledge location, Bell has spent the last three years building trusted, personal relationships with his customers — and it’s something he’s good at.
Dart has four banking locations in Grand Ledge, Lansing, Holt and Mason and 10 additional home loan centers across the state of Michigan.
517 Business sat down with Bell to learn more about his role, what surprises customers most about banking and the advice he wishes everyone would take to heart.
What’s something about your job that most customers don’t realize you do?
A lot of people don’t realize how personal this role can be. Getting to know the customers is one of my favorite parts of the job. I’ve built strong relationships with many of them and know most by name. Over time, that connection turns into real trust, and they start to feel comfortable coming to me with questions, even the ones they might be embarrassed to ask.
What’s something about how banks handle money that might surprise the average person?
Most people don’t realize that most of the money in banks isn’t stacks of cash hiding in a vault like in the movies. It mostly moves electronically, and there are a lot of systems making sure every transaction is accurate and secure.
What’s the most surprising or unusual question you’ve ever been asked at the bank?
An unusual question I often get is whether the people on our (interactive teller machines) are AI or working overseas. The answer is no, they are real personal bankers based right here in Holt. They are highly trained and great at what they do, and can do nearly everything you would do inside the branch.
What’s one tip you wish every customer knew to make banking easier for them?
Scams are more common than ever, with new tricks popping up all the time. Never share personal info like your address, phone number, bank details or PIN. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And remember, scammers aren’t always strangers. They could even be someone in your own home.
Jason Schmitt
Jason Schmitt is a social media manager for M3 Group. Originally from St. Johns, he spent more than 20 years in the field of journalism, working for several newspapers across the state. He and his wife, Sue, currently reside in Royal Oak and enjoy golf, pickleball, bowling and traveling to warm destinations.
