His bank will work if you don't teller.

• Position: Robert Hatley of Paragon Commercial Bank - People - Company Profile

A bank without branches? No automated-teller machines or teller windows? "We are just different enough that people are going to be intrigued," says Robert Hatley, president and CEO of the new Raleigh-based Paragon Commercial Bank. That's what he's banking on to make the concept work.

When Paragon opens, possibly May 1, it will be like no other bank in the Southeast. It will stay tucked away in an office building in Raleigh, with all its business conducted by courier service, over the Internet and phone and by account officers who travel to the customers. "The reception area will be more like a law office than a bank," Hatley notes.

It won't peddle retail services, instead focusing on serving commercial clients in the Triangle, companies with $2.5 million to $25 million in revenues. Its target will be commercial real-estate companies and builders, as well as law, accounting and medical practices. Unlike most banks, Paragon won't aspire to grow beyond one office. It will be "more of a niche player," Hatley says.

The N.C. Banking Commission approved its charter in January, and by mid-February the bank had raised all but $850,000 of its required $15 million start-up capital. Hatley has five employees and plans to hire five more. His goal is for Paragon to break even after a year by getting $58 million in deposits and making loans of $49 million. He wants it to have $250 million in assets in five years.

At 48, he is leaving behind 26 years...