Investor Profile: TD Bank
The Business Development Board of Martin County is grateful for our Investors Council, whose members reflect the wide variety of area industries and high caliber of local leadership. Such broad collaboration is critical to achieving our shared mission of strengthening Martin County’s economy.
We embrace opportunities to showcase members of our Investors Council, and this issue’s spotlight shines on renewing member TD Bank.
Clayton Tadler, regional vice president and senior vice president for the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Commercial Lending Team, and Michael Habyan, business banker on the Treasure Coast, talked with us. They shared their assessments of the local economy’s fundamentals, the value of the connections the BDB helps foster, and the quality of opportunities available in our community to share the variety of services TD Bank provides.
Why do you and TD Bank support the mission of the Business Development Board of Martin County?
Clayton: From our perspective, the BDB brings together the businesses and entrepreneurs in Martin County, as well as the power players in the form of finance, legal and accounting to help make the most profitable, enterprising environment for businesses to succeed. In Martin County, I’ve made so many friends through the BDB—friendships based not just on common interest, but united on discovering ways to improve businesses and provide loans to companies so they can pursue their goals. The BDB plays a key role as an incubator to foster business and social collaboration.
Michael: The one thing that I really enjoy about the BDB is its ability to bring us all together—finance, legal, and position us to support our local business owners and help them grow, gain access to capital, and learn about other important services they may not have known they qualified for.
Clayton: Yes. For an example of how the BDB creates opportunities to connect with local businesses, not long ago I was speaking to a gentleman who was considering a transition ownership of his business to his adult children—basically graduating to second-generation business. I said, ‘Time out. Yes. You can give your business to your kids, but then you’re going to have a massive tax issue.’ That led to a conversation about other avenues he could consider. The ability to create those relations and build that trust—those are moments that the BDB makes possible.
What are your assessments of Martin County’s economy?
Clayton: In sum, it’s impressive. I’ve been blown away by the technology and innovation that’s taking place in Martin County. There’s the metal 3-D printing operations going on, the aviation hub, and more. If you drive down Jack James Road, you see so many amazing business that you wouldn’t expect. You can really be blown away by what’s going on in our backyard. To me, it’s like a mini-Silicon Valley.
Martin County is home to some amazing entrepreneurs who operate under the radar. We’re fortunate to get to know them through our Pulse program and other signature events, so we’re happy to create connections that bring value to all involved.
Clayton: The whole idea of banking is that you’re supposed to be trusted advisors, not just money handlers—and Martin County is the perfect place to demonstrate that value and service.
Clayton: Martin County is a grassroots county. It’s local people getting involved and repeatedly showing that there’s unwavering support to make Martin County the best county it can be. You have a business community that’s not just about the bottom line, but fully engaged in making Martin County better as a whole.
