Person Behind The Place: Dean Peterson
June 27, 2023 - by Sandy Vo
Person Behind The Place:
Dean Peterson
Relationship Manager | Heritage Bank
To Dean Peterson, working in the banking industry is a career he’s proud to be in. Dean has accumulated over 20 years of diverse experience and has become a seasoned expert in all facets of commercial lending, specializing in Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Commercial and Industrial (C&I), and commercial construction. After graduating with his BA in business management, his line of work started and continued to be in the financial world.
For the last decade, you can find Dean as a relationship manager in Bellevue at Heritage Bank – an organization known for their mission as being “committed to being the leading commercial community bank in the Pacific Northwest” with focus on customer satisfaction, employee empowerment, community investment, and shareholder value. Continue to read on to learn more about Dean’s favorite part of the job, current challenges in the banking industry, and his views on Downtown.
As the relationship manager at Heritage Bank, what is your favorite part of your job?
For me, I went into the banking industry because it offers a unique blend of relational and analytical aspects, making it an engaging field to work in. My favorite part is interacting with diverse individuals and organizations, businesses, and companies to help them grow. I enjoy developing strong relationships with clients, understanding their businesses, and collaborating with them to navigate financial challenges and opportunities.
What are some of the major challenges the banking industry is facing today?
One key aspect that sets Heritage Bank and other community banks apart from larger banks is our ability to provide a local or “Main Street” approach to lending. We have a deep understanding of the communities we serve and offer personalized lending solutions that cater to the specific needs of the businesses in the area.
One challenge we’re currently facing is that we’re seeing customers go to one of the giant banks, that might not really care about them as a customer. As a community bank, we continue to differentiate ourselves and maintain our relevance in a changing market. Heritage Bank, and other banks in the area need to continue maintaining the services and relationships we have with businesses and play a significant role in the community.
What is your favorite part about working in Downtown Bellevue?
I’ve been a lifelong Seattle resident and growing up, I never thought that I would want to drive across the 520 bridge to go to work. Now, I bike across it every day to go into Downtown Bellevue – it’s a cool thing to commute over a floating concrete bridge every morning and be able to take in the amazing views of Lake Washington and Mount Rainier.
Something else I enjoy is the number of recreational activities I can do in a major metropolitan city like Downtown Bellevue. My main sport is playing a game of ultimate frisbee during lunchtime. It’s been a continuous game twice a week and has been going on for the last 25 years. It’s such a phenomenal journey because now many of our kids are out there playing with us as the next generation. Our games have played at Bellevue Downtown Park, Ashwood Playfield, and now at Hidden Valley Park. I am a huge advocator for green spaces, and I feel lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of it in Downtown.
Where do you see Downtown Bellevue in 3-5 years?
I would hope to see more people living and working here. The light rail is an exciting addition to Downtown and will be extremely useful getting us around without more traffic.
What are some of your favorite spots to dine in Downtown?
Since we’re located in Bellevue Place, we have plenty of convenience spots nearby. One of my regular lunch stops is the Deli Zen Express for the fast service salad bar. For beverages, the Suite Restaurant/Lounge is a great spot for happy hour or a night out.
Are there places in Downtown Bellevue that are on your bucket list?
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is still a destination I hope to experience. I’ve heard great things about the place, and I enjoy being in nature.
Where do you see Heritage Bank in 3-5 years?
Heritage Bank in Downtown Bellevue is continuing to build a presence as we aren’t located on the ground level, so there is no big sign out front. We are aiming to continue situating ourselves as a commercial bank of choice for many businesses and ensuring that people know that we’re here is important to continuing the work that we do.
We also currently sponsor different local events like Downtown Talks Breakfast Series and Bellevue LifeSpring Luncheon, so our longtime goal is to continue looking for ways to be involved in our community and show our support.
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Heritage Bank
10500 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98004
