Alumni Profiles

Scott Wickens, B.S. finance, ’89

Scott Wickens feels he learned a lot about the rules of business while playing varsity soccer at Central Michigan University.

“It gave me the focus, time management, and prioritization skills that I needed for my course work and that I now use every day in my work and personal life,” Wickens said.

Today, Wickens is first vice president of corporate banking at Standard Federal Bank, part of ABN AMRO Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in the world.

“Given the size and scope of the bank and my customer base, internal and external teamwork are essential to ensure strong client relationships,” Wickens said.

After graduating from CMU, Wickens joined Comerica Bank as a credit analyst. In 1996, he became Standard Federal Bank’s first middle market lender and, while obtaining his M.B.A. from the University of Detroit, moved up the ranks and was promoted to first vice president in 2001.

Wickens is one of the youngest first vice presidents in the bank’s history. He also was one of the first United States employees chosen to attend a leadership seminar in Amsterdam – world headquarters for ABN AMRO Bank. With all that behind him, Wickens still remembers his early challenges.

“I will never forget an on-site interview I had with a company during my senior year at CMU. Two executives were hosting me to lunch during the interview process when one asked me what I didn’t want in a job, and I replied, ‘cold calling.’ Needless to say I didn’t get the job,” Wickens said.

Since then, Wickens has cultivated an excellent reputation for making client contact.

“I learned that before I could even begin to discuss the bank’s products and services, I had to first establish credibility with the company on a personal level. This is where professionalism comes into play. I do my homework on the prospective client and only target the bank services that they may require to continue to prosper in this tough economic environment.”

Wickens, who still plays soccer, also enjoys spending time with his wife Caryn (Barrett), ’88, and their two daughters.