Team Spotlight: Amy Foulks, EVP, Chief Operating Officer

Amy Foulks will be the first to tell you that she is an “accidental banker.” When she first got started, she was fresh out of school and wasn’t sure what to do next.

“I was looking for a real job where I could use my undergraduate degree in accounting,” says Foulks. She was working at the University of Utah when a friend connected her with a family member who was president of First Utah Bank at the time – and the rest is history.

“I didn’t call myself a banker for a long time. It wasn’t until much later that I realized the impact that banks have on local businesses and community members. We are an economic engine for so many beautiful things that are happening around us.”

Now EVP, Chief Operating Officer of First Utah Bank, Foulks has learned the ins and outs of the banking world and then some, bringing a sense of authenticity to her work every day. “I’m a process person, first and foremost. And with bank operations, it’s all about building trust with our customers, because they’re trusting us with one of their biggest assets — their money,” she says.

Foulks’ career has centered around her keen interest in figuring out how people work best, and making things work efficiently. She’s an optimizer, always looking for the most proficient way to get things done. And as she continued to lean into her banking career, Foulks would later go on to earn an MBA from the University of Utah – David Eccles School of Business, and she’s a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

“I put my husband through graduate school very early on in our relationship when I was working at First Utah Bank, and always wanted to pursue a graduate degree. I’m really glad that I had some years working here under my belt before I did that, because that meant I actually had context for the things that I was learning.”

The Typical Day of a Banking COO

As an executive of the bank, Foulks’ average day involves collaborative meetings with internal teams. She is also deeply invested in solving difficult problems, and answering tricky questions to address whatever challenges come up.

Despite her busy schedule, Foulks still takes any opportunity she can to talk with customers when they come into the bank, or go on “field trips” to visit them and get better acquainted with their businesses. “An extraordinary part of First Utah Bank is that we get to know our customers, and they get to know us. They love for you to come out and see what they’re doing, and I love telling them, in one form or another, how proud we are of them.”

Serving the Community First

If you’ve ever met Foulks, her enthusiasm for her work is unmistakable. She says it’s fueled by both the people she collaborates with and the work they’re doing.

“Our customers can’t believe this is the way we operate, because it’s a lot different than the way big banks do things. And it’s amazing to see the direct influence we have on the growth of our community.”

It’s not just about how First Utah Bank serves its customers, either. Foulks sees the loyalty that runs both ways between employees and their employer. “When my kids were growing up, if something consequential happened where I needed to be gone for a month, I knew that I could go to our bank president and ask for that, and still have a seat at the table when I got back. I never had to, thankfully, but that kind of peace-of-mind is a very, very beautiful thing. Now, I’m in the position to do that for others when they have a medical or family crisis.”

In a world where most companies are only looking at how to make the next dollar, this kind of supportive workplace culture is important to Foulks, and a part of a legacy she wants to carry forward.

A Sense of Purpose

“The primary reason that I still like to come to work every day is the talented, kind and energetic people I work with. I’m really passionate about the work that we are doing.”

Part of what makes Foulks good at her job might be her genuine enthusiasm for thinking about organizational charts, and matching up the right personality and skill set for the right job requirements. This is just one of her main points of focus, making sure she understands the skill sets of her staff, what drives them, and figuring out where they would shine brightest within the organization.

“I don’t think anybody grows up thinking that they’re going to be a Chief Operating Officer for a bank, but I’m glad I’m here,” she says. “This job is all about people, and getting them into the right spot so that the bank can be more effective. This is very much a Human Resources type of role I’ve taken on, without even knowing that’s what it would be.”

Foulks is also in a position to see what’s coming next, and she’s looking ahead to emerging technologies and how they can change things for the better. “I’m excited about AI and how it can do some of the heavy lifting for us in a couple of different spaces; like stronger analytical tools that can help us detect fraud and stop it before it even happens.”

These tools are not meant to replace human connection, but rather to make things more convenient, faster and safer. “I think it gives our folks the time back that they need to think outside of the box and do things that AI can’t.”

More Than Just a Banker

When she’s not at work, Foulks spends her time getting outside, climbing mountains with her family, and she prides herself on her commitment as a parent.

Her children are now grown adults, who she lives vicariously through with the adventures they’re having on their own — like her oldest daughter who studied at Oxford this summer, or her youngest who is working on becoming a doctor. “I think you’ve hit a milestone in life when you can say that your kids are cooler than you are,” she says. “They are my biggest accomplishment in life so far.”

Words of Wisdom

Throughout Foulks’ career, maintaining a few grounded principles has helped her along the way. “I think everybody needs to have a couple of non-negotiables in life. Mine are exercise and sleep. You have to make sure you are taking care of yourself, so that when you need to take care of others, you can.”

When it comes to her vision for First Utah Bank and the kind of mark she wants to make, her focus is on employee and customer experience. “I’m really honing in on what our employees need, so that when they come here each day they’re ready to serve our customers.”

At the end of the day, it’s all about how the organization can go above and beyond as a local, community bank. “How do we exceed expectations but continue to be relevant?” she asks. “Our challenge is to provide the same level of sophistication, capabilities and service as bigger banks, but do it in a way that honors the relationships we create with our customers. It’s about how we deliver spectacular service in an unexpectedly good way. That’s the sweet spot.”