Ahead of the Curve: A Banker's Podcast

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. 

As the global population of individuals aged 60 and over is projected to increase by 38% between 2019 and 2030, elder abuse and elder financial exploitation (EFE) are becoming increasingly prevalent issues. This demographic shift, particularly in the developing world, brings attention to the unique challenges older persons face, including those related to human rights and financial security. Elder fraud, a severe form of EFE, continues to grow at an alarming rate. If it hasn't already, it is likely to impact your client base or family in the near future.

In this episode, Abrigo consultants Melissa Mantooth, CAMS, and Elissa Brewer, CAMS, share their knowledge of prevalent schemes and red flags, as well as a brief overview of safe harbor laws around EFE that may impact banks and credit unions. As financial institutions educate their customers on fraud, it's important that they keep an extra watchful eye out for scams impacting older clients.

Listen in for insights into ways to prevent elder fraud in your community.

Helpful links:

Blog: Elder fraud: Preventing elder financial exploitation at your institution

Webinar: Guarding your institution: Strategies for a fraud prevention program

Webinar: Elder fraud: The fight for seniors' financial security

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.

Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires financial institutions to collect and report data on small business lending to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The details of the CFPB 1071 rule are laid out in an extensive 888-page document, so it's no surprise that many financial institutions aren’t sure where to start when it comes to preparing for compliance.

In this episode, Abrigo Senior Consultant Paula King offers a comprehensive exploration of the rule’s main elements, some first steps for compliance, and a brief overview of how it has been received, including the legal controversies following the rule. As financial institutions wait for finality on this regulatory shift, it’s important for banks and credit unions of all sizes to understand the nuances of Section 1071. Listen in for insights into the future of small business lending.

Helpful links:

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

Blog: The CFPB section 1071 effective date

Checklist: CFPB 1071 Rule: Checklist for compliance success

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.

We can help you navigate 1071 deadlines and compliance. In addition to our 1071 resource page for lenders, which has updated information to help prepare for the new requirements, Abrigo’s Loan Origination Software will have all required data fields in a borrower-facing collection form, access to pre-built reports, and the ability to export for CFPB reporting. Your financial institution can comply with 1071 while streamlining the origination process and ongoing customer management while working with a trusted partner of 2,400 institutions. Talk to a specialist to learn more.