Craft Beer Passion Drives Banking Career: Local Insights with Kearny Bank

Growing up, I thought unless I was a professional sports player or movie star my personal hobby would never transfer into my professional business career, but I was wrong. Luckily for me my passion for craft beer and visiting breweries which started during the pandemic has become a major part of my banking focus. Last July I was appointed the Official Banking Partner of the Brewer's Guild of New Jersey which has allowed me to assist New Jersey breweries with their day-to-day business banking.

Recently, I had the pleasure to sit down with our client Scott Wells who is the President of the Brewer's Guild of New Jersey to discuss the importance of banking at a local bank.

I asked Scott about what he perceived as the advantages of working with a local bank. Scott shared, “Juggling the responsibilities of owning and operating a small business, while also being active in the community is incredibly challenging this day and age. That's not new to anyone. But what most people may not know is the value of a working relationship with a local banker. Having dealt with multiple banks for our business between vehicle financing, equipment financing, merchant services and a litany of other needs, it was critical for me to work with a local bank to handle the business of the Brewer's Guild of New Jersey. The Brewer's Guild is our representation in-state handling our Government Affairs, Continued Education, Community Outreach, and Coordinated Fundraising Efforts.

"Choosing to work with a local bank was an easy decision, but finding the right bank can often be more difficult. We chose to work with Kearny Bank when they made it clear that our business was a priority for them. In my experience with the larger banks, small businesses are small fish, and treated accordingly. Kearny Bank understands that our time is valuable and focuses on partnership banking where everything we need is never more than a phone call to our personal, Private Client Relationship Officer, away.”

Michael Gambatese and Scott Wells at Bolero Snort Brewery in Carlstadt, NJ

One area in which I gained additional knowledge from Scott was around all the challenges brewers face. These unique challenges make it very clear how important it is for breweries to bank with local bankers who understand these challenges. In Scott’s own words, “The business of manufacturing alcohol is incredibly complicated in this day and age, with small businesses often pushed aside by larger competing interests. Having access to a Private Client Relationship Officer to help breweries access funding to simply grow their businesses at the right scale is invaluable. When times are as tough as they are right now, one thing has remained clear, Kearny Bank and our relationship with our Private Client Relationship Officer gives us the service and attention we need to continue moving our industry in the right direction.”
I would like to personally thank Scott for his time and feedback.

One thing that is for sure is that Kearny Bank understands that for businesses to deliver the best product possible, they need a partner who can provide the support they need to manage their business’s finances. So head over to your local brewery today to support responsibly!

Cheers!

Written by Michael Gambatese | Vice President/Private Client Relationship Officer, and Scott Wells | Co-Owner/Director of Sales at Bolero Snort Brewery, President of the Brewery Guild of New Jersey

About Michael:

Michael Gambatese is a Vice President/ Private Client Relationship Officer at Kearny Bank. Gambatese earned a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and is focused both on northern New Jersey and New York. Immediately prior to joining Kearny Bank, he held a management-level position with Investors Bank. Before that, he was a Vice President/ Senior Relationship Manager with the Bank of New Jersey. Gambatese is a member of the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, and is Allied Banking Partner of the Brewer’s Guild of New Jersey.

Contact Mike today to learn more about how he thinks about building business relationships.

About Scott:

After spending years working in sales and retail, and only being able to enjoy beer recreationally, Scott Wells eventually joined the Bolero Snort team in October of 2014 merging his sales ability and craft beer expertise. A verbose philosopher of craft beverage, Scott prides himself on being a catalyst of the “Drink Local” movement, and a champion of small business partnerships.

When Scott isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and dogs (one of which is named Provolone Parmagianno Reggiano). He will often be found quoting the Big Lebowski while swigging his 6th White Russian of the day, sampling every chicken parm entrée in the state, hiding from the aforementioned wife and child on a kayak, and shouting obscenities at the TV when the Yankees, Devils, or Giants are playing, and napping in random locations.