Sam Huntington
Senior Vice President-Treasury Management
6430 Bridge Road, Monona
SHuntington@lakeridge.bank
(608) 826-3516
Q: What is your role at the bank?
Sam: I have the privilege of leading the treasury management team at Lake Ridge Bank. Our primary goal is simple: to make banking easy for our business clients. The way we accomplish that is a little different each time to match the needs of our clientele, but we try to keep this goal in mind with every interaction and service decision. Some of the products and services we use to help clients simplify and fortify their banking include ways to send and receive electronic payments, maximizing cash optimization, and mitigating fraud. Often we have to find a balance between total security and maximum convenience. We want to have the best possible digital tools available for our clients, but we also need to be a phone call, text, or email away.
Q: How did you get into banking as a career?
Sam: The day after my college graduation, I flew to England and lived and worked there for a couple of years. When my U.K. work permit expired, I came back and started my career as a teller at the downtown Madison branch of a community bank called Valley Bank, where I occasionally balanced my cash drawer and learned about banking. This was way (WAY!) back in 1989. Since then, I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work in both the consumer and commercial sides of banking and learned a lot through changes in technology and bank mergers and acquisitions.
Q: What is something you really enjoy about your work?
Sam: I really enjoy my present role because while I love the technology of systems and the detail-oriented parts of finance, working with clients is my favorite part. And since treasury management touches a lot of different areas of the bank, I get to work with associates at all our locations and departments. That is especially great because our team at Lake Ridge Bank is so fantastic, starting with my awesome teammates in the treasury management department.
Q: What are the best things about living and working in this area?
Sam: I think if you can find some coping mechanisms for winter, then the Madison area is really hard to beat! With lakes, bike trails, and parks everywhere you turn, it’s easy to enjoy the outdoors all year. Embracing the different seasons is an acquired skill, but well worth it. I have had more than a few former co-workers who have taken positions in other parts of the country, and many of them eventually return. Nowhere is perfect, but this part of Wisconsin has a lot going for it.
