Palmetto banker retires after 42 years at same bank

PALMETTO -- Gerald White will miss his customers most of all when he retires this week as vice president of the Bank of America in Palmetto. You see, to him they're not just customers.

"Customers are friends; they're not customers any more," White said. "We've known each other for so long." White made it his goal to call each customer by name and create the "hometown bank" feeling.

And the customers feel the same way about him, it seems. A couple of customers who wandered in during his last day at the bank made sure to say goodbye; one even gave him a huge hug.

During White's 42 years at 700 8th Ave. W. -- through changing names and new owners -- he's seen at least seven construction projects there and several rounds of staffing changes.

"Customers are upset because I'm leaving and I say, 'There's 60 years worth of experience at those desks out there,'" White said.

He does acknowledge that he has seen a lot of change.

"We used to have 15 people sitting in the lobby and now it's down to four. We had 38 people in the office at one time and it's now down to 12," White said.

When White started, everything was done by hand -- there were no calculators at his desk. Now, after customers set up new accounts, it's rare they'll return to the physical bank. Most customers use online banking, mobile banking and ATMs instead of making visits to the bank.

Even though banking relies on technology now more than ever, White leaves his cell phone in his car all day. It's a Bank of America policy for personal bankers and tellers to stay off their mobile phones during work hours, so White didn't want to create a double standard.

"If they can't be on their phones, neither can I," he said.

It's unlikely anyone will find White on his phone during retirement, either. Playing games and sending text messages doesn't really float this sailor's boat. Taking out his 23-foot center console Tremblay, About-Tyme, will occupy the majority of his time. When he's not on the boat he'll spend time helping his mother Dawn Rita take care of his stepfather Franklin, who has Alzheimer's.

White moved to Palmetto with his mom and dad when he was 7 years old. He attended Palmetto Elementary School and graduated from Palmetto High School in 1969. While working at a phosphate plant north of Palmetto, White realized he didn't want to do physical labor for the rest of his life.

"I noticed when men got in their 50s, they didn't climb around that place like a monkey very well any more," White said. He saw two men lose their lives to accidents while he worked at the phosphate plant. "I didn't think it was a place to grow old. The main reason I wanted to work for the bank was it looked like a clean place to work, compared to where I was."

Besides, White helped his mother add checks when she took him to work with her at the Bank of Palmetto on weekends. She always checked his work, but White said she gradually gave him more checks to add as she realized he excelled at the task.

When he dropped off payroll for the phosphate plant at First National Bank of Bradenton, he saw a place where he wouldn't mind growing old, although he isn't quite sure how age came up on him so quickly. He turns 65 on Feb. 27.

"I can't remember how I got this old," he said, chuckling. "I don't remember doing it."

After he graduated from college at the University of Florida, he applied for a job at the bank. The staff liked his math grades and computer proficiency. While his technological knowledge has come in handy as banking systems have changed, other expected changes haven't happened as quickly as initially predicted.

"I was told when I started at the bank we were going to a cashless society," White said. "We went paperless 10 years ago. It hasn't happened. But with debit cards and everything we're a lot closer than we ever were."

As a former banker and a new retiree, White has one last piece of advice for the Palmetto community:

"My advice to everyone is to put more in your 401(k); don't wait," White said. "There's never a good time to do it and you gotta do it."

White's staff will miss him, and they promise to carry on his good service as a banker.

"I've worked with him for 24 years," said Susan Adkins, senior teller at the Palmetto bank. "I would not still be here if it weren't for him. He instilled in me his confidence and trust, and I would not be as far along in my career without him. He always stood in my corner if I had a problem."

Adkins was ready to accept another position at a Sarasota branch when White convinced her to stay.

Personal banker Ann Perkins agreed: White's departure will change the atmosphere.

"This place won't be the same without him," Perkins said.

Janelle O'Dea, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow her on Twitter@jayohday.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 6:29 PM with the headline "Palmetto banker retires after 42 years at same bank ."