Banking on the arts in Greenville: 15 Minutes With TD Bank's Chris Fincher
Chris Fincher is Regional Vice President for TD Bank in the upstate. He’s responsible for TD’s commercial banking business across the region.
He’s also a visible part of TD’s community involvement efforts, serving on the board of Artisphere and other organizations including the Metropolitan Arts Council, TreesUpstate and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.
TD Bank has been the presenting sponsor of Artisphere since the festival’s inception in 2004. The bank is also the sponsor of the TD Saturday Market.
“Artisphere plays a vital role in Greenville’s thriving arts scene, which directly benefits our local business community and the economic development of our area,” Fincher says.
He began his banking career with Wachovia in Winston-Salem, and he later transferred to Charlotte. Fincher moved to Greenville with Wachovia in 2008, shortly before the bank was acquired by Wells Fargo. He joined TD Bank in 2019.
Fincher, who grew up near Richmond, Virginia, is a graduate of the College of William and Mary. His wife, Kathy, is a registered dietician with Prisma Health, and they have two sons. Tom is an accountant with Elliott Davis in Greenville, and Charlie is a senior at the University of South Carolina.
We talked with him a few weeks before Artisphere 2023, set for May 12-14.
TALK GREENVILLE: You’ve been a banker for a long time. What was it that first drew you to the field?
CHRIS FINCHER: I became interested in banking and finance while studying economics in college, and I interviewed with Wachovia on campus. At the time, the bank's management training program was recognized as one of the best in the industry. I thought it would be a great place to start my career.
TG: Seems like it’s a very different business than it was, 10 or 20 or 30 years ago. What’s changed the most about it?
CF: I would have to say that technology has changed the banking industry more than anything else. Bank clients have "around the clock" access to financial services and markets through online and mobile banking. That said, it's still a business that’s built on relationships and trust.
TG: Just curious: I read that your father was an air-traffic controller and ran the tower at Richmond Airport for something like 30 years. Were you interested in aviation as a kid or was that just ‘something your dad did’?
CF: My dad became an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and he went to work for the FAA following his time in the service. He loved everything about aviation, and he was passionate about flight safety. I really enjoyed going to air shows with him, but I was always more interested in the business world.
TG: How did you first get connected to the arts community here? You’ve been on the board of the Metropolitan Arts Council for more than 10 years, right? What drew you to that?
CF: I met Alan Ethridge, executive director of MAC, and some members of the MAC board not long after moving to Greenville. Today, TD helps fund MAC’s SmartARTS program in Greenville County Schools, and I look forward to becoming their board chair next January. As soon as I became aware of MAC and its mission, I was drawn to their continued support of local arts organizations and the many individual talented artists in our community.
TG: Let’s talk about Artisphere a little bit. What aspect of the arts interests you the most? Are you a painter or a photographer or a musician or something like that?
CF: I have zero artistic ability, but Kathy and I have always enjoyed going to concerts, art exhibits and shows. I have a ton of respect and admiration for the artists and musicians who have worked so hard to develop their talents.
TG: What do you most enjoy about Artisphere?
CF: Artisphere is one of the most exciting events we have in Greenville, and it's my favorite weekend of the year. Many know it as a nationally recognized showcase for very talented artists, yet one of the best parts about the festival is that it brings people together from all walks of life to enjoy the arts and our wonderful city.
TG: How about the other things that TD is so involved in – do you have particular favorites? Things where you think “I’m especially glad we do that?”
CF: I’m especially glad that TD is engaged with the low to moderate income segments of the community through bank sponsorships, foundation grants and employee volunteering. We also provide financial literacy education and funding for the development of affordable housing.
TG: The bank has, obviously, some very visible sponsorships and the TD logo is prominent in a lot of places. How does the bank decide what to put its name on; when is it clear something’s a good fit?
CF: There are many groups working tirelessly to make the Upstate an even better place to live, so it’s always tough to narrow our selections. We look at several factors and choose to support organizations and events that make a positive local impact and also align with our philanthropic focus. Sponsorships benefit TD in three key ways – they strengthen our connection to the community, build brand awareness, and allow our colleagues to get involved by volunteering.
TG: TD Bank has more than 2,000 employees in the Greenville area, right? Talk a little about how they make an impact on the community.
CF: Locally, we encourage our colleagues to volunteer in the community and participate in the bank's annual giving campaign. Community involvement is a core element of our corporate culture, and we take it very seriously. Home building through Habitat for Humanity and tree planting with TreesUpstate are two examples of our hands-on volunteer events.
TG: Do you think that banks are necessarily more focused on their communities than other large businesses?
CF: Not really. We are very fortunate to have many companies, large and small, that support our community.
TG: You joined TD in 2019, just months before the pandemic shut down so much of our area’s public life, including Artisphere (the event was virtual in 2020 and the 2021 event was in-person, with limited attendance). What lessons came out of that, as far as the bank’s community involvement and sponsorships?
CF: It was a difficult time for individuals, businesses and community organizations. It was also a time where people working together, giving back, and looking out for one another became essential. We ultimately learned that our support of local organizations and initiatives was crucial to helping keep our community strong.
TG: You and your family have lived in Greenville since, what 2008? For you, what’s been the biggest change here?
CF: The evolution of downtown Greenville into a destination for business and leisure has been amazing to witness. We now have world-class hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and green spaces in a very walkable environment.
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TG: When you’re not at work or serving one of the community organizations you work with, what do you like to do to relax?
CF: Hike, bike, fish and travel with my family and friends.
TG: What do you hope to see in Greenville over the next 15 years?
CF: I would like to see more private and public investment in infrastructure and services to support the rapid growth in the area. We will need more affordable housing and public transportation, and more teachers and medical professionals to maintain the quality of life we enjoy here.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Banking on the arts in Greenville: 15 Minutes With TD Bank's Chris Fincher
