Tight Times a Test for Rah-Rah Firms ; High-Loyalty Companies Work Hard to Build a Familial Culture. It Can Be Tough to Maintain

On a hot, muggy, summer night, more than 100 buses pull up in front of Radio City Music Hall. Thousands of revelers in red boas, sequined hats, and flashing bow ties gather outside the theater.

With their party horns and shrieks, the crowd looks and sounds as if it's gearing up for a wild New Year's Eve celebration - about six months too early.

In fact, this is a company party: Commerce Bancorp's Fifth Annual WOW! Awards Ceremony. And the employees seem unanimously enthusiastic about their jobs.

Commerce Bank is among many companies trying to foster a high- loyalty, employee-friendly culture. Working for one of these firms can be a heady, fulfilling …