Kim Bailey had her last day as a banker on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018. After more than forty years in the finance industry, she decided it was time to end that stage of her life.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m ready to see what my next chapter will bring.”
Kim has lived in Pinehurst her whole life. In 1975 she began working at a bank in Pinehurst Village.
In 1984, she became a branch manager, and in November of 2000, the bank merged with First Bank. Kim has been with First Bank in Seven Lakes ever since.
“First Bank has been good to me. I’ve been blessed to work in the finance industry,” she said. “It still feels like a community bank that’s personal with relationships with customers.”
Kim held the title of Assistant manager and assisted customers with car loans, home loans, balancing checkbooks, and more.
“I met a lot of people from all [stages] of life,” she explained. “It’s been an interesting relay of relationships. Some kept in touch even after moving away.”
Last summer, Kim asked to go from being full-time to part-time in order to spend time with her children and grandchild.
“I’m taking time with my children and grandchild. First Bank felt like family was important,” she said.
In September of 2017, she officially became a part-time banker before deciding to retire.
“I’m blessed to have stayed in the same area. You don’t see much of anyone with more than forty years in the same industry,” she said.
One client sent a card in honor of her retirement. She had been his banker for about thirty years.
“There are a lot of good customers I will miss. The hard part is not having daily interaction with people. I have enjoyed working with customers,” Kim said.
After spending years working in the Seven Lakes area, Kim has learned the dynamics of the neighborhood.
“Customers say Seven Lakes is a unique area in [terms] of friendship and needs of neighbors,” she said. “Seven Lakes has always been helpful neighbor-to-neighbor. I’ve hear from customers about them getting help from a neighbor.”
During her retirement, Kim hopes to travel, visit family, and continue volunteering at her church.
“I’m happy I’m retiring,” she said. “It’s going to be a big change for customers, but there’s a great group of people here. I hope no customer feels like they can’t be helped. I have formed some really good relationships.”
