Meridian Financial Services, Inc.

Meridian Financial Services, Inc. has always prided itself on providing exceptional service to our clients, but in 2024, our team demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to excellence, adaptability, and perseverance. After being purchased by our long-time president on July 1, 2024, we faced numerous challenges that tested our resolve, yet our team rose to every occasion.
Despite severing ties with a billion dollar corporation, our small but highly dedicated management staff worked tirelessly to ensure that our employees were not only taken care of but also that our clients experienced no disruption in service. It was paramount that we maintained the same high standards our clients were accustomed to, and through strategic coordination, determination, and sheer grit, we succeeded in doing just that.
Following the acquisition, our team was tasked with rebuilding critical functions from the ground up. We needed to implement and manage new employee benefits programs, take over all Human Resources responsibilities (which had previously been handled by the parent company), and re-establish our internal IT systems, which also fell under their control. Additionally, we had to transfer all of our software and hardware from the parent company’s management and assume responsibility for accounting functions. As we took on these new areas, we had to develop policies and procedures from scratch for many aspects of the business we had not previously managed. Despite the complexity and challenges of the transition, our team worked tirelessly to ensure everything was up and running smoothly—without any disruption to our business or clients.
The challenges did not stop there. In the same year, the city where our corporate office is based was struck by Hurricane Helene, devastating much of the region. Many of our associates faced power outages, loss of internet, and damage to their homes, yet they showed incredible resilience and determination to keep operations running smoothly. Despite these challenges, our team exceeded expectations. We not only met but surpassed our budgeted goals, showing an increase of 45% over budget during the hurricane period.
Even in the face of these adversities, our team not only survived but thrived. We delivered the most profitable year in our company’s history, achieving an impressive 25.5% increase over our budget after the acquisition and finishing the year with 28% year-end growth. These results were made possible through the commitment and resilience of every team member across the company.
From collections to operations, compliance, and administration, every department worked cohesively to ensure we stayed on course. Each team member, regardless of their role, was fully invested in our collective success, making the difference between simply surviving and achieving remarkable success.
Meridian Financial Services’ 2024 achievements are a direct reflection of the passion, resilience, and determination of our exceptional team. We are proud to nominate our team for the Best Team award, as they have shown what true teamwork, dedication, and professionalism can achieve even under the most challenging circumstances.