When the stock market crashed in 2008, Erica Duncan found herself in a new position at her work that didn’t quite suit her. But she persevered.
“There’s going to be ups and there’s going to be downs, but at the end of the day it’s going to help shape who you are.”
Duncan, Senior Vice President and Regional Sales Director for PNC wealth management, offered that advice as she wrapped up the Global Speaker Series on November 2nd, hosted by the College of Business. Duncan started her career with PNC Bank 15 years ago.
Duncan started her career at PNC 15 years ago, while in her junior year of college at the University of St. Francis, Duncan landed an internship as a Credit Analyst which was at the time, National City Bank, and that lasted her two years. National City Bank would later be bought out by what is currently the eighth largest bank in the US, PNC Bank. Duncan made the jump into small business banking with National City Bank after her internship. This allowed Duncan to “get her feet wet” in the sales side of small business banking.
After nine months with a focus in real estate and building her work, and creating a “niche” in the sales world, Duncan was offered an opportunity in corporate banking. In Duncan’s new focus with Lower Market Management, she dealt with real estate deals between the amount of $1 and $10 million dollars. After this she became a relationship manager to deal with real estate lending. The real estate market was exploding during this time which allowed her to work with money ranging from $1 million to $250 million dollars such as skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. Unfortunately, in 2008, the market crashed, Duncan took a step back and became a workout officer. This work wasn’t for her, said Duncan.
Duncan climbed through many hoops but eventually found herself in the Chicago market. When she entered the Chicago market she was presented with five advisors to grow and build. “Grow Chicago” Duncan was told. Fortunately, she was able to bring her own team in and have a fresh start, said Duncan. After four years Duncan’s leadership paid off, Chicago’s five advisors turned into 55 advisors across seven locations.
A year and a half ago, PNC asked Duncan to take on a retail banking position. The role focused on her “passion” which was business development, said Duncan. PNC Bank has presented many opportunities that allowed Duncan to take risks to further her career.
“Not taking the safe route, and be willing to raise my hand for different projects and different areas that maybe I didn’t 100 percent fit the job qualifications parameters, but I knew over time I would get there.”
