We get some perspective from a Louisville CEO on this week's Access Louisville podcast.

Logan Pichel, president and CEO of Republic Bank & Trust, is on this week's show. (He also recently made our Power 50 list of the area's most powerful executives.) We cover a little bit of everything including diversity, equity and inclusion, mergers in the banking industry and banking under the new administration of Donald Trump. 

In a period where stories out of Washington D.C. seems to be lighting up news feeds on an hourly basis, Pichel discussed the need to focus on his company's mission.

"You don't run the bank for the administration, you run it for the longterm franchise value of the organization," he said. "Administrations change. Not a lot has changed in our strategy." 

He suspects a looser regulatory environment will likely be in place as a result of the new administration. He could also see more consolidation in the sector — "although I will tell you that we just bought a bank two years ago under the previous administration." 

Pichel was referring to Republic Bancorp's (NASDAQ: RBCAA) acquisition of CBank for approximately $51 million in cash in 2023. 

"It got approved quickly and it was a great experience," he said. 

We also get into talking about Louisville's economy — which has taken some hits of late particularly with the news that KFC U.S. is leaving Louisville for Plano, Texas. The news of Humana Inc.'s move out of its namesake tower on Main Street hasn't bolstered confidence either.

"It is worrisome. You don't want to see exits. You want to see entrance into the community — especially with companies with such great reputations as KFC and Humana. We moved associates downtown in the last year or two."

"I also believe in momentum. Once you start to see more companies coming to Louisville, more people will come here. It's a great community," he said, noting he just moved here 4 and half years ago. Housing is not as expensive here as it is in other places and travel is easy.

"I just think we need momentum. We've got good leadership. Our mayor is fantastic. Craig Greenberg's great. And he's pro business. And he wants to bring new companies in. We just have to start getting some momentum," he said.

"I know we'll get there. I'm encouraged we'll get there. We all just wish it was a little faster."

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, which are linked above. You also can listen to the show in the player above.