My business is tires.
Bill Farris, Owner
Marden Distributors, Inc. | Rockford, IL
One phone call six years ago changed the business destiny of Bill Farris, owner of Marden
Distributors, Inc. When he was presented with the opportunity to buy out the retiring owner of
Marden Distributors, he called two other local banks to line up financing, and didn’t get a call
back. His accountant introduced him to Tom Belmont at Riverside Community Bank, and he’s
been a client ever since.
Marden Distributors is a tire retailer and full-service automotive repair center that has been at its
current location on Broadway in Rockford for 35 of the 40 years it’s been open. Longevity in the
marketplace is key to building trust in any business, but particularly when it comes to auto repair,
and Bill remains committed to Marden’s core business. A personal relationship with a mechanic is
important to everyone, particularly since more and more people are hanging onto their cars,
opting for repairs more frequently than purchasing a new vehicle.
Personal relationships are what keep Marden Distributors with Riverside Community Bank. “I like
the personnel,” Bill explains. “They all know me, and they’re always genuinely happy to see me.”
In three to five years, Bill sees the auto industry undergoing major changes, and he’s already
planning on how he and his company will adapt. One thing that he doesn’t see changing,
however, is his relationship with Riverside Community Bank.
“I like the fact that that they’re accessible all the time,” he says. “If I call and have to leave a voice
mail, they get back to me literally in minutes or, at the longest, in a couple of hours. I’d direct
anybody to Riverside Community Bank.”
Does your business banker respond to you on your schedule? Contact Tom Belmont
(TBelmont@riversidecommunity.com or 815.637.7000) to find out how responsive a business
banking relationship should be.
