You're the best! You don't have to spend a lot of money to attract and retain the most dedicated, talented and hard-working employees. All it takes is a simple, low-cost recognition effort. Here are examples of banks that are doing exactly this.

• Author: Martin, Brenda
• Position: Employee Recognition

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Every bank wants to attract and keep the best employees. One effective way to do this is through an employee recognition program. The key to success is to tie the effort in with your organization's overall goals--while keeping it fresh, meaningful and relevant to workers.

While some banks dig into their pockets and put on elaborate and expensive "shows" to keep the troops entertained, the fact is that there are many ways to recognize employees that cost little or no money.

Every employee likes to be honored, but banks have discovered that recognition means something different to each person. Some employees prefer extra cash in their pockets, while others like having their name in lights. Still others enjoy peer and management recognition during a special award ceremony. Offering a variety of employee recognition programs could help ensure that your workers achieve the behavior and outcomes that your organization desires. Don't be afraid to try different ideas until you find what works for your institution Go ahead and spice it up with rallies, notes and others fun things that work for your unique workers and your bank's special culture.

We spoke to marketers at three different banks with employee recognition programs to see how their efforts are organized. Below are profiles of the banks and their programs.

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Making it Fun

Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Co.

Hendersonville, N.C.

Asset Size: $670 Million

"Making banking fun," is the bank's slogan, says Lee Beason, executive vice president and chief operating officer. The four-year-old bank views itself as a kind of "antibank."

The bank sees employee recognition as "a way of life." Beason says that one of his missions is to create a culture of daily employee excitement.

Bank management sees its job as to "wow" employees. Employees, in turn, are expected to wow their customers. The bank's philosophy is that if its employees are happy, the shareholders will be happy also. All of this "making people happy" business is referred to as "the Mountain 1st experience."

The bank uses viral marketing to infuse its employees and customers with enthusiasm so that they will go out and tell others about the institution.

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Mountain 1st does not have just one employee recognition program; it has several. Employee recognition fits in nicely with the bank's overall corporate culture, which is laid back, comfortable and family-oriented.

Branch offices offer ice cream, candy, checker boards, coffee and front porch rocking chairs for...