Cristin Reid '92

Building Positive Change

by Kate Abu-Absi | February 18, 2025

Cristin Reid ’92, serves as the Chair and CEO of Capitol National Bank in Lansing, Michigan and was recently recognized by American Banker at the 2024 Most Powerful Women in Banking conference. In addition, Ms. Reid serves as managing director of Access BIDCO a regulated financial institution that provides financing and management consulting services to small businesses, primarily in the State of Michigan. In her role at Access, she provides turnaround consulting services as well as structured financing alternatives to assist troubled companies. She has served on the board of Access since 1994.

As an undergrad, Cristin studied Biology with the intention of going on to medical school, but at the eleventh hour, she had a change of heart. What she wanted more than anything was to help people, but medicine no longer felt like the correct path and broke the news to her parents over her senior year winter break. Her parents didn’t care what she or her siblings studied, but told her she had to “do something,” so she took the LSAT and started UT Law with every intention of attending just one year to figure out her next steps.

To her surprise, the study of law was not unlike science, where the questions were more important than the answers and where multiple variables could be used to reach one's objective. Reflecting on her time she felt “fortunate to have so many great professors while at UT. Many left impressions, but probably one of the most impactful was Beth Eisler. Her competence, humor and direct approach was intimidating, in a good way. She was one of those people that you really wanted to please, which meant that you had to be well prepared.” In addition to inspiring faculty members, Cristin met her future husband, Brian English ’91 and graduated a semester early. 

Post graduation, Cristin returned to Lansing, Michigan and spent a few years in private practice alongside her sister, but after working on a few divorce cases, she began looking for an opportunity to build something positive. That came when her father asked her to serve as legal counsel overseeing the regulatory applications for a new bank holding company, which has grown into a 64-bank network and served as a gateway into her career in banking. Bolstered by a MBA from the University of Michigan, Cristin’s leadership has led to Capitol National Bank to be honored in Atlanta and ranked as a Top 5 finalist in the country for the “Extraordinary Bank of the Year” and based on its 2023 performance, Capitol National was ranked by S&P Global in the top 100 Banks in the country and was the #1 bank in Michigan in both national and regional rankings.

While her position as CEO of a bank must be far from what she envisioned while she studied biology, Cristin’s core ambition has never changed. She has always wanted to help people and be a catalyst for positive change so in addition to her professional background, Ms. Reid is active in the community. She is the founder of the Capitol Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at providing immediate gap financing for small businesses and individuals that do not qualify for bank assistance. The foundation has given more than $1 million dollars back to the community since its formation and through it she has been able to synthesize her professional and personal goals into her ever-present desire to help others. More than any award or accolade, it is clear that Cristin’s work with Capitol Foundation brings her the greatest satisfaction and joy and the College of Law is proud to have played a part in her remarkable journey.

Q&A with Cristin Reid

When did you begin thinking about law as a career? 
Law school for me was a “back-up” plan. Growing up as the daughter of a litigator, with several uncles, a sister and cousin all attorneys, I was determined to chart my own path. I planned on attending medical school until the middle of my senior year in college. At that point I had identified that my interest in medicine was really based on my desire to help people and find solutions to their problems, and it wasn’t really the science. As a placeholder, I took the LSAT and went to law school determined to change course after my first year. I never expected to enjoy law school as much as I did. The critical thinking and creative application needed to support a legal issue was compelling and confirmed my desire to finish my law degree.

How did you decide on Toledo Law for your legal education? 
I chose Toledo at the time because of the bar pass rate. While at Toledo, I met my husband (Brian English '91) who chose it for the same reason. Recently, my daughter, Erin English '23 (and her husband Aerin West '23) graduated from UT Law. Erin chose UT because of its reputation for supporting women in the law, the outstanding professors, and the great value she got from a UT Law education.

What have you found most satisfying about your career thus far? 
The ability to analytically think and creatively solve problems whether that be in a legal or financial application is definately most satisfying. When a customer comes to the bank for a loan and doesn’t appear to qualify, it is always a challenge to find a way to help them accomplish their objective while still protecting the bank. I enjoy being a part of a small community focused business bank, because we have the flexibility to help customers and make a difference in our community.

Do you have any suggestions for law students/new lawyers interested in a similar career path?
Whatever your career path, you have to be willing to do the work if you want to be successful. A law degree is the best foundation for so many jobs, but success requires putting in the time, and persistence in continued learning both formally through classes and conferences, and informally by taking the time to seek the guidance of others. Professional mentoring can be the most effective way to develop in a new career.

What was the best advice you ever received? 
Probably the best advice I have received is to always be the most prepared person in the room. In law, or banking or virtually any other circumstance, the person that puts the most thought, effort, and work into the desired outcome most certainly has a higher chance of success. I try to walk into every meeting, whether it be with staff, the board, or regulators with preparation that will allow me to succeed in accomplishing my objectives.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am a runner, my first marathon was when I was a 3L, but have been running since I was 13. We spend most of our free time at sporting events or travelling, and most often travelling to sporting events. We especially enjoy basketball, and our animals. This year I started taking classes at the University of Chicago Graham school (non-degree adult education).

Who is someone you admire and why? 
My Dad is the person I most admire professionally. He had a phenomenal career and is still working at 82. He currently chairs a venture capital company and a boat school. In his career he started more than 100 companies, we refer to him as a serial entrepreneur. He began his business career after becoming one of the most successful commercial litigators in the area. I most admire him for his continued pursuit of learning and his absolute commitment to always doing the right thing, especially when it was inconvenient. In addition to his professional career, he has served on countless charitable boards and was the founder of several community based economic development companies. His vision for what can be done and his tenacity to put the work in to accomplish his objectives is unmatched.

He is a first-generation college and law graduate as the child of immigrants and oldest of 12 children.