Are you a veteran, or do you know a veteran, now serving the banking industry? Please share your story with the VBA here.

Mike Renner
AVP, Fraud Prevention Supervisor, C&F Bank
Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management Class of 2026

Which branch of the military did you serve and for how long?

I served in the United States Marine Corps from 2011-2016.

Tell us about your path from military service to becoming a banker. What led you to the industry and what has kept you in the industry?

In the Marine Corps, I served as a member of a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team. I was assigned as a Team Leader for a unit responsible for the recapture, defense, and physical security of high-value United States assets and personnel in Europe and Africa. I then served as a sworn Law Enforcement Officer in Newport News, VA and later James City County, VA. As a Law Enforcement Officer, I became certified as a General Instructor, Field Training Officer, Crisis Intervention Team member, SWAT Team Member, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response (Active Shooter) Instructor and was a member of the Recruitment Team. I also became certified in Digital Forensics and was selected to the department’s Criminal Investigations Unit and assigned to the Economic Crimes Division. While a member of the division, I investigated financial crimes involving fraud, embezzlement, extortion, and financial exploitation. Moving over to the financial industry and continuing to investigate fraud was a natural transition from that point and has allowed me an opportunity to continue to serve the community.

Which skills or experiences from your military background do you find most valuable in your current role in banking?

I believe the Marine Corps instilled several skillsets and values that have been beneficial in my young career in banking, especially as the Fraud Prevention Supervisor.

1. Problem-Solving
2. Adaptability and Resilience
3. Communication Skills

Attracting and retaining talent seems to be an across-the-board issue. What can our industry do to recruit talent from nontraditional avenues, for example, building relationships with veterans groups?

I think there is definitely a lack of understanding from service members of what all is possible for a career in the financial industry. It’s important for us as managers to ensure we collaborate with our departments tasked with recruiting and locating talent on how to find opportunities to target and communicate with those individuals. So many skills can translate into our industry that service members have developed and possess. It just takes them being exposed to what all this industry involves and the opportunities it provides for them to realize this. Many military bases and organizations host recruitment events for transitioning service members to civilian life. These events are crucial to participate in.

What is one thing you’d like our readers to know about veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day?

Veterans have a calling to serve our country. That is absolutely something that should be celebrated. We as a banking industry are provided the opportunity to serve our communities which I am very grateful for, and it amazes me every day to witness. 

Lightning round:

1. If you were an action figure, what accessories would be sold with you? My golden retriever
2. If you could go back and rewatch a show (or re-read a book) for the first time, what would it be? The Office
3. Top thing on your bucket list? Go to Bora Bora
4. What habit do you have now that you wish you had started much earlier? Grilling
5. If I wasn’t a banker, I would be a …?  A YouTube travel vlogger