For my final project in Mejo121, I interviewed Mike Worsham. Mike is the Director of Commercial Banking at First Carolina Bank, which is the same bank I will be interning this upcoming summer. He works at the bank’s Cary location.

Background and History

In 1977, Mike enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a BA in Economics in 1981. Two years after graduating from UNC-CH, Mike earned an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Following his completion of college, Mike attained a job at Bank of America (then called NCNB) working as a Commercial Banking Officer, a job he held for 17 years until 2001. In 2002, he started working for Paragon Commercial Bank as their Senior Vice President, a job he also held for 17 years. In September of 2019, he assumed his current position at First Carolina Bank as the Director of Commercial Banking, a position he has held since.

UNC-CH and the Banking Industry

Mike had an older brother who attended UNC Chapel Hill. His brother gave him insight into what it took to get into the school as well as what to expect if he should attend. UNC-CH was the only school he applied to. He appreciated how college brought together people from a wide range of upbringings and groups, and made lasting relationships during his time in Chapel Hill. He got into the banking industry through his education in college and grad school. He always had a passion for analytical work. However, he saw himself as an introvert and thus saw an opportunity to strengthen his biggest weakness: talking to customers. The banking industry is a work force that is highly competitive. Mike works in a team setting to help cater to the business needs of customers of First Carolina Bank. One of the big roles he takes on is attempting to keep customers banking with FCB and luring potential customers away from other banks.

Other Passions and his Wife

After flying to Oklahoma in his senior year of college to watch a football game, Mike discovered he has a passion for sports. To this day, he has collected hundreds of mini and life-size football helmets and throwback jerseys (NCAA and NFL). He met his wife through the current CEO of First Carolina Bank, Ron Day. The two share a common interest in sports as well as a passion for taking in animals from the shelter and fostering them. His wife has dedicated her life outside of work to fostering these animals. She’s also helped catch a lot of cats for neighbors and friends. His wife also works for First Carolina Bank at their location in Raleigh.