Brad Compton observes the lively scene at Isaac’s coffee shop in downtown Salem, a testament to the city’s vibrant community. He points out the pastor engrossed in doctoral studies, a nonprofit director deep in conversation, and young mothers connecting as their children play nearby. “Who knows what collaborations and ideas are being sparked right here?” Compton muses, a broad smile lighting up his face. This very scene embodies his vision when Pioneer Trust Bank played a crucial role in securing a loan for Isaac’s Room’s expansion.
For Brad Compton, banking transcends the typical image of suits and balance sheets. It’s about cultivating meaningful relationships across Salem, Oregon. Recently appointed as the president of Pioneer Trust Bank, Compton, at 42, represents the fifth individual and fourth generation of his family to lead this institution.
Pioneer Trust Bank stands as a unique entity in the modern financial landscape: a nationally chartered bank within the Federal Reserve System that has remained under local, family stewardship for nearly a century. With approximately 75 employees in Salem, the bank operates two branches, strategically located about a mile apart. The original headquarters resides downtown on Southeast Commercial Street, while the second branch, established almost 50 years ago on Southeast Oak Street, serves the area near the Salem Health campus. Compton recounts the origins of the second branch, “Local doctors requested a branch closer to the hospital, and my grandfather responded to that community need.”
Taking the reins from John Wilburn, who remains as CEO, Compton follows in the footsteps of his uncle Mike, father Randy, grandfather Stuart, and great-grandfather H.V., the bank’s founder. Despite his family legacy, Compton emphasizes that there was no pressure to join the family business. “Initially, the idea of a suit and desk job didn’t appeal to me. I saw myself as a people person, wanting to connect and make a tangible difference,” he explains. However, observing his father’s role, he began to see banking as a powerful avenue for community building within Salem. “Everywhere we went, people were greeting my dad warmly, often with handshakes and hugs,” he recalls. Many of these individuals were local business owners who had received crucial support from Pioneer Trust Bank in their early stages.
Despite this exposure, Compton initially pursued higher education in Southern California, far from Salem and the family bank. A career in ministry was a serious consideration. However, in 2011, conversations with his father and uncle led him to reconsider. He started as a teller, progressed to a loan officer, and steadily advanced into bank leadership.
Compton describes Pioneer Trust Bank’s approach as pragmatic yet supportive. While assessing loan applicants’ repayment capacity realistically, he focuses on empowering individuals with vision by guiding them to develop sound financial plans. “Many local businesses need access to capital to realize their potential, but they may lack personal networks or the attention of larger banks,” Compton points out. “As a community bank, we see it as our mission to fill that gap.” Over the years, Pioneer Trust Bank has been instrumental in numerous Salem nonprofit projects, significantly shaping the city’s development.
He recounts an example of this commitment: his father’s friendship with Willie Richardson, the late president of Oregon Black Pioneers. When the nonprofit needed office space, Pioneer Trust Bank offered them rent-free space in their building, demonstrating a belief in their mission. Oregon Black Pioneers maintained their office there for a decade.
Today, Compton experiences the interconnectedness of Salem firsthand. “I can’t go anywhere in West Salem without bumping into someone I know,” he says. He values these community connections as an integral part of his role, while also prioritizing family time. For the past seven years, he has made it a point to return home for lunch daily to spend time with his wife and children.
A key consideration for both his father and now Compton is balancing growth with maintaining the bank’s community-centric approach. His father proactively established an in-house IT department as online banking expanded, recognizing the paramount importance of security. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Compton highlights the bank’s focus on supporting customers through uncertain times and facilitating Paycheck Protection Program loans. “It felt like building the plane mid-flight,” he describes the rapid adaptation required. Pioneer Trust Bank successfully provided $131 million in loans, predominantly to Salem businesses, offering personalized assistance to navigate the complex application process.
Compton’s leadership philosophy centers on leading by example, continually adapting the bank to evolving times while upholding its relationship-focused values. He encapsulates his approach with a favorite adage: “Preach the gospel always, and when necessary, use words.” He interprets this as, “There’s a way to embody these values in all aspects of life, including business.”
