By Jennifer K. Morita

October 19, 2023

Scott Robertson, senior vice president of Tri Counties Bank, once thought banking was boring.

However, Robertson found his calling while working as a teller while completing his final year at Sac State, when he watched a colleague help a young woman secure a car loan.

“I always wanted to help people and serve others, but I wasn’t sure how banking fit into that,” said Robertson, who also serves as the company’s chief community banking officer.

“She was so excited about getting her first car. I realized banking helps others achieve financial success and make their dreams come true.”

Robertson, who has over 30 years of experience in banking and volunteers his time with numerous community service organizations, received a 2023 Distinguished Service Award from the Sacramento State Alumni Association. He and other Distinguished Alumni Award honorees will be recognized at an awards dinner on Oct. 19.

• Full list of Distinguished Alumni Award winners

“I’m a proud alumnus and very honored to be receiving this award,” Robertson said. “I’m surprised and incredibly thankful and humbled.

“It just reminds me of where my journey started at Sac State. It’s brought back a lot of memories for me.”

Robertson’s father served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years. The family lived in seven locations during the first decade of Robertson’s life, including Guam and Colorado Springs.

But Sacramento was always home.

“Little known, fun fact: My parents met at Sac State back in 1969, when my dad was tutoring my mom in math,” Robertson said. “So, Sac State has a warm place in my family’s heart.

“The Robertson family has a deep connection to Sac State.”

“We are only as successful as our communities,” Robertson said. “We think there’s a big gap in financial literacy in our community, not just among college students. … We do it because it’s the right thing to do.” -- Scott Robertson

Robertson earned his Business Administration degree in 1993. Soon after graduating, he was promoted from teller to personal banker. Now he oversees branch banking, home lending, wealth management, customer support, and direct banking teams. Tri Counties Bank operates 69 branches in California and has assets of nearly $10 billion.

He has led his bank’s efforts to provide free financial education information to Sac State students. In addition to hosting financial workshops, his team will be training Wellness Center counselors, who are students looking to pursue careers in finance.

“We are only as successful as our communities,” Robertson said. “We think there’s a big gap in financial literacy in our community, not just among college students. … We do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

Robertson also serves on three nonprofit boards: Center for Fathers and Families, California Musical Theater, and The Salvation Army Sacramento Metro.

He is the recipient of the Father of the Year Award from the Center for Fathers and Families, and along with Tri Counties Bank in 2021 received the Spirit of Giving Award from The Salvation Army.