In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we discuss the ripple effects of global trade, regulatory shifts, and advancing fraud threats with Duncan Taylor, SVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Washington Bankers Association.

Tune in as we explore:

• How tariffs and international trade tensions are impacting regional and agricultural banks
• What community banks should know about regulatory rollbacks and CFPB scrutiny
• The growing risks in fraud and why human nature, not just error, must be addressed
• How to prioritize responsible AI, compliance, and customer trust in tech investments

About the guest:

Duncan Taylor serves as SVP and COO of the Washington Bankers Association and President of both CareerWork$ and WBA Professional Services, Inc. A seasoned association management leader and not-for-profit consultant, Duncan brings a unique blend of operational expertise and policy insight. With deep roots in the industry, Taylor is passionate about financial education, responsible innovation, and building resilient communities through banking. He’s also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and a self-professed bank data nerd who loves breaking down complex topics into approachable, actionable strategies. You can hear him talk trivia and show off his history knowledge on the Last Call Trivia Podcast.

Helpful links:

• Podcast: Integrity Solutions: Shaping Future Bankers with Duncan Taylor
• Webpage: AI solutions and resources for bankers
• Blog: AI and generative AI use cases in banking: 6 real-world examples

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, you'll hear innovative ideas on financial literacy programs and leveraging technology for better customer service from Anne Tangen, President and CEO of BankFive.

Tune in as we discuss:

•  How to engage customers in learning about improving their credit
•  The role of financial literacy in getting the right loan products in front of customers
•  What BankFive is doing to improve its customer experience with thoughtfully designed branches 
•  How Tangen and her team have prioritized keeping a human touch in new self-serve technologies and how the investment has paid off

About the guest:

Anne P. Tangen joined BankFive in 2020 as its President and CEO. She has had a long and distinguished career in financial services, having served in various senior roles at Fidelity Investments, State Street Bank, and The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. A respected leader in the industry, she sits on several high-profile boards, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s First District’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC), which advises the Fed on the local economy, lending conditions, and other issues. In addition, she has been featured in the Boston Business Journal, Banker & Tradesman, and Bloomberg Radio Boston, and as a speaker at the New England Bankers Annual Conference and Future Branches Boston. 

Anne is involved in various local nonprofits, including the Alden Pettengill Foundation Board of Argosy Collegiate Charter School in Fall River and the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association (SBERA). She also serves on the Endowment Committee for the Fall River Historical Society.

Helpful links: 

Webpage: About | BankFive

Webpage: Change Management Services | Abrigo

Blog: How accountants can leverage technology to boost client financial literacy, loyalty 

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the loan review process, making it more efficient, accurate, and compliant—while ensuring that human expertise remains essential.

Joining us is Steve Wert, Vice President of DiCom Loan Review Solutions at Abrigo. With over 20 years of experience in market strategy and technology, Steve has played a pivotal role in the evolution of credit risk management. Previously, he served as President and CEO of DiCOM Software, a market-leading credit risk management solution that is now a part of Abrigo. His insights into AI-driven banking solutions provide a unique perspective on how technology can empower financial professionals rather than replace them.

Tune in as we discuss:

•   How AI enhances, rather than replaces, human decision-making in loan reviews
•  The role of AI in risk assessment, compliance, and efficiency
•  Ethical considerations and how banks can integrate AI responsibly
•  The future of AI in credit risk management and continuous monitoring

Helpful links:

Webpage: AI Solutions for Banks 

Webpage: Loan Review Assistant 

Blog: Generative AI in credit risk management: A game changer for loan review

With a new administration in office, speculation is running high on what the future holds for financial institutions working within the cannabis-related business (CRB) industry.

Today's guest is Kevin Gulledge, Senior Risk Management Consultant at Abrigo and a seasoned expert in financial compliance. With extensive experience guiding banks and credit unions through the challenges of serving CRBs, Kevin brings valuable insight into the regulatory and operational hurdles financial institutions face.

In this episode, we’ll break down the current speculation surrounding cannabis banking under the new administration, what we’re hearing from bankers on the front lines, and any proposals in the pipeline that could impact financial institutions. Plus, we’ll explore the unknowns—those lingering uncertainties that could shape the future of CRB banking.

Helpful links:

CRB insights webpage: MJBizDaily | Cannabis Industry Financial & Legal News

Podcast: Banking on cannabis: Breaking down the SAFER Banking Act 

Whitepaper: Providing financial services to cannabis-related businesses

Blog: Cannabis lending for financial institutions: Best practices

Bank mergers and acquisitions are on the rise, with institutions looking to expand, scale technology investments, and enhance profitability. But the accounting side of these deals—Day 1 valuation, CECL modeling, and income recognition—can introduce unexpected complexities that impact deal success.

In this episode, Abrigo Advisory’s Neekis Hammond and Derek Hipp bring their accounting expertise to discuss key accounting considerations for M&A transactions, such as common pitfalls and how leveraging data can streamline the transition. Join us to learn best practices for banks preparing for future acquisitions.

Helpful links:

Whitepaper: Valuation and purchase accounting in a dynamic macroenvironment 

Webinar: Valuation and purchase accounting: Navigating the changing M&A landscape

Advisory services: Bank Valuation Services - Purchase Accounting Services

The CFPB 1071 regulation has sparked plenty of debate and concern among financial institutions. Since our last 107 1 episode in March, there have been some key developments, including the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the CFPB’s funding structure and the new administration's 60-day pause on the rule. We’ll discuss how community financial institutions are responding—whether with resignation, adaptation, or continued hesitancy—and the practical steps they’re taking to comply.

Up next is an overview of CFPB 1033, the open banking rule, and what it means for community banks as they face new requirements for consumer data access and sharing. Learn how financial institutions can prepare, the role of technology in compliance, and how community banks can maintain their high-touch customer relationships while adapting to these changes. We'll also touch on what deregulation could mean for small business lending in 2025 and how banks can position themselves for growth.

Our guest is Paula King, CPA, Principal Consultant for Abrigo Advisory Services. King assists financial institutions with CECL, credit processes, model validations, and more. A former banker and bank co-founder, she has held executive positions (CFO, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer) and has more than 25 years of experience across all aspects of banking, including financial and asset/liability management, credit, services and product development, and director responsibilities.

Helpful links:

Webinar: Understanding the impact of CFPB 1071 on small business lending

Blog: The CFPB section 1071 effective date

Software: Small Business Loan Origination Software

While having data is valuable, the key to success is knowing how to interpret and effectively use that data. Core deposit studies can enhance the value of your institution’s non-maturity deposit sector, improving pricing betas and reducing funding costs. But how can you be sure you're considering the right factors when analyzing your portfolio?

Join us as Abrigo Senior Consultant Urum Urumoglu discusses how to best understand the behavior of depositors and how those depositors impact your balance sheet.

Helpful links:

Blog: Why it is critical to update your core deposit study

Webinar: Deposit behaviors are changing: Tracking and monitoring them in the new environment

Whitepaper: 6 Reasons to update core deposit analysis

Case study: Home Federal Bank partners with Abrigo experts for core deposit analysis

With many experts predicting that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates this week, this episode delves into what financial institutions should expect now that rate drops are on the horizon. Banks and credit unions are under pressure to reevaluate their strategies for managing deposits, loans, and overall financial health. We will explore topics such as:

• The implications of expected rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and how institutions can adjust to a falling-rate environment.
• Why liquidity remains a critical concern with deposits becoming a scarce resource and borrowings and brokered funds increasing to meet liquidity needs.
• The potential for earnings pressure on bank margins as financial institutions struggle to lower deposit costs in line with falling yields.
• How rate cuts may impact capital structure, particularly around OCI on bonds and capitalization levels.

Our guest is Dave Koch, Director of Advisory Services at Abrigo, who brings decades of experience in working with financial institutions. In this episode, Koch breaks down the current consensus on rate cuts, what they mean for financial institutions, and how to navigate an industry facing liquidity constraints and depositor expectations for higher returns.

Learn more about the proposed brokered deposits rule here.

Helpful links:

Webinar: How to track and monitor deposit behaviors
Podcast: Outsourcing ALM: Best practices for the current interest rate landscape
Checklist: Choosing an effective ALM model

It is a BSA Compliance officer's job to make sure their institutions are in compliance with the latest from the FFIEC. That means getting their boards and leadership invested in following AML/CFT best practices. In today's episode, we'll explore the FFIEC's list of critical elements for a BSA program—from adequate staffing and expertise to the technological systems necessary for identifying and managing risks.

Our guest is Hannakah Rubin, a Senior Client Development Consultant with Abrigo, who brings over 24 years of experience in the financial institution and software industry. Hannakah has not only developed Compliance, Fraud, and BSA Programs from the ground up but has also worked extensively with financial institutions to incorporate automated solutions into their compliance efforts.

Learn more about upcoming AML/CFT certification and training events.

Helpful links:

Survey: State of Fraud 2024: Key findings and recommendations for FIs
Infographic: 6 Steps for compliance with new AML/CFT program rules
Checklist: Elements of an effective SAR narrative

With interest rates having shifted dramatically, financial institutions find themselves navigating uncharted territory, grappling with how to adapt their ALM strategies to the new normal. Join us as Abrigo Director of Sales and Professional Services Dave Koch, an experienced asset/liability management advisor, delves into the complexities of the current economic landscape and its impact on community banks. 

In this episode, we'll discuss the current regulatory outlook, the importance of a realistic approach to interest rate forecasts, the potential benefits and pitfalls of ALM outsourcing, and the need for ALM advisors to work closely with banks to ensure their strategies are well-informed and effectively implemented. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to manage ALM effectively in today’s volatile interest rate environment. 

Helpful links:

Webinar:  Effective risk management: Controlling liquidity and interest rate challenges

Success Story:  Excel Bank gains interest rate risk management expertise with Abrigo

Checklist: Checklists for evaluation ALM vendors

Check out the series!

Ahead of the curve: A banker's podcast

Looking for ideas, tips, and best practices to take your financial institution to the next level? Look no further than this podcast featuring insights from banking leaders and advisors across the industry. We’ll tackle a range of topics — technology implementation, loan grading, banking cannabis, and more to ensure you stay ahead of the curve in this fast-changing environment.

You can find all episodes of the podcast on abrigo.com or on your favorite podcast app or platform.