David Harlow on essential infrastructure
From BancFirst executive looks forward, talks move · · The Oklahoman
“We are essential infrastructure as mandated by the Department of Homeland Security, so we've been open and we've done it a little different. We've kept our lobbies open, practiced social distancing, followed CDC guidelines, and as of today, with our 2,000 plus employees across the state, we still have yet to have a positive test.”
On , David Harlow, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at BANCFIRST CORP/OK, spoke about essential infrastructure during BancFirst executive looks forward, talks move on The Oklahoman.
About David Harlow
In a September 2020 interview, David Harlow discussed BancFirst's role in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that BancFirst had processed nearly a billion dollars of the approximately five billion dollars in PPP funds that had been pumped into Oklahoma's economy, representing about 20% of the total. Harlow noted that the bank, as the largest SBA lender in the state for 27 years, had pulled 25-30 employees from across the company to work on the program, often in 24/7 shifts. He described the effort to stand up the $700 billion loan program in about ten days as a challenge but said it had been a "great success" despite some issues. Harlow also commented that unemployment would reach "unprecedented highs" and the economy would be injured, while expressing optimism about the resiliency of Oklahomans. Harlow also addressed BancFirst's operations and a building renovation during the pandemic. He said the bank had kept its lobbies open, practiced social distancing, and followed CDC guidelines, and that as of the interview, none of its 2,000-plus employees had tested positive for COVID-19. Regarding the renovation, Harlow noted that an hourglass feature for the first and second floors was being sourced from China, causing a 45-60 day delay, while glass for the tower was domestically sourced and work was beginning that week. He anticipated that people could start moving into the building in January 2021.