Ashley Roche, Assistant Vice President/Account Executive, Merchant Services, Commerce Bank
Spotlight on Southwestern Illinois: Women in Banking and Finance
Ashley Roche, Assistant Vice President/Account Executive, Merchant Services, Commerce Bank
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE 
The Metro East stays very near and dear to the heart of Ashley Roche, who grew up in Troy, Ill. The assistant vice president/account executive for Commerce Bank’s Merchant Services still calls the Metro East home.
A graduate of Saint Louis University, Roche has been with Commerce Bank for six months. What she enjoys most about working there is the overall culture and the leadership that’s in place.
“I also appreciate that there is opportunity for professional advancement within the various departments of the bank,” she said.
As an account executive, Roche is responsible for providing small- and medium-sized businesses with product and service solutions in credit card processing. The primary skill she draws upon is her ability to ask questions, listen, and understand the customer’s needs, following that with providing solutions specifically tailored to that customer. Roche’s solutions help her customers improve their cash flow and reduce expenses while also ensuring their information is being kept secure. She worked with one customer and helped them save $20,000 a year.
Roche said Commerce takes a consultative approach to providing solutions to businesses. And when customers call with questions, they talk to a bank employee, rather than an individual at an outsourced support desk.
Roche says she is passionate about what she does and is eager to share the advantages of Commerce Bank with her customers.
Since joining Commerce, Roche has noticed a number of women in management roles.
“In today’s world, we’re seeing more and more women earning business degrees and entering the financial industry. As I look around Commerce Bank, it’s inspiring to see so many well-respected women flourishing in management roles. I think with the right combination of hard work and experience, women will most certainly find that there is opportunity for advancement within the banking industry.”