In the years to come, technology-based healthcare is going to make a big difference in where the dollars are coming from in senior living.This episode of Bank on Wipfli explores some of the most significant trends in senior living and home healthcare that financial institutions should be aware of from a financing perspective. Wipfli’s Robert Zondag, Senior Manager (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/robert-zondag), Tiffany Karlin, Principal (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/tiffany-karlin), and Mike Vaccarella, partner (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/vaccarella-michael), discuss:·        The wide spectrum of services for the senior living industry·        How these services have evolved significantly over the past two years due to COVID-19 pandemic·        How shifts in the industry could impact lending and investments in that space

What are some of the recent trends in community banking, and how are banks leveraging those to gain a competitive edge in the market?Wipfli recently released its research report on the state of community banking (https://www.wipfli.com/news/2022/fi-wipfli-community-banking-outlook-2022-research), which explores these trends and strategies. And in this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/robert-zondag), and Anna Kooi, National Financial Services Industry Leader, Partner (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/anna-kooi), at Wipfli, discuss the research report and its findings. Listen in to learn about:* Digital transformation and the path to serving customers digitally* Cryptocurrency, digital assets and the rise of that service line within community banking* How to better manage, hire and retain talentGet the full report here: Wipfli community banking outlook 2022 research (https://www.wipfli.com/news/2022/fi-wipfli-community-banking-outlook-2022-research)

Is your financial institution facing price compression? To avoid becoming a “commodity,” institutions must diversify their service offerings and add more value to customers.When it comes to trust operations, financial institutions are trending toward using an outsourcing model with a risk-based/cost-benefit approach. They are evaluating the real reasons they are outsourcing, whether it’s because it’s temporary pain relief, a supplement or a solution that’s truly necessary.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager, and Carrie Connell, Partner, from Wipfli talk to Loyd Pohl, CEO of Pohl Consulting and Training, Inc (https://www.pohlconsulting.com/) about trends in trust operations. They discuss:* The impact of the “Turnover Tsunami” on trust operations* Consolidation, exiting and related strategies in the trust marketplace* The commoditization of financial services across all providers and its impact on traditional trust operationsListen in to learn how your financial institution can address the challenges you’re currently facing in trust operations.

Looking at 2022 trends in commercial real estate can help financial institutions and lenders think strategically and prepare their next steps.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to Dr. Stephen Buckman (https://www.clemson.edu/caah/faculty-staff/facultyBio.html?id=2205), Professor of Real Estate and Development (https://www.clemson.edu/caah/academics/cpred/real-estate-development/index.html) at Clemson University about the major trends financial institutions should be keeping track of. They discuss:* The current state of commercial real estate, from industrial use to office space to multi-family development* Areas to consider in the market, including the future of retail, affordable housing and opportunity zones* How climate change could impact the commercial real estate marketListen in to learn what your financial institution should be preparing for.

ESG. It’s getting a lot of buzz but do you know what it stands for? And more important, are you incorporating it into your business? ESG is the umbrella term for environmental, social and governance issues that financial institutions big and small are focusing on these days.Financial institutions that take these issues to heart understand how important they are for their brand and their business. Is your organization doing all it can to show consumers, investors and employees that you are on top of your ESG game?Our host Robert Zondag talks with Wipfli Senior Manager Karen Mitchell about how banks and other financial institutions are setting up effective ESG programs. You’ll learn how demonstrating your commitment to the values that benefit society also helps your business.Listen in to learn how developing and communicating your ESG strategy can give your company a competitive edge in the marketplace.

What are the latest third-party risk management threats and regulatory changes your financial institution should be looking at right now?With the explosion of cyberthreats, third-party risk management programs have to depend on more than point-in-time security assessments. For example, if your vendors have remote employees due the pandemic, but this wasn’t a consideration in your last risk review or due diligence, that’s a risk you haven’t assessed.Does your third-party risk management program lack the resources to get it all done? Is it causing you to fall behind on risk monitoring?This podcast episode is for you. Our host, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks with Hilary Jewhurst, Third-Party Risk Evangelist & Advocate at Venminder, about what to do when you have too much work and not enough resources, and how to prepare for upcoming interagency guidancee too much work and not enough resources, and how to prepare for upcoming interagency guidance

If you’ve decided your financial institution is too traditional or too small to get into the cryptocurrency market, it might be time to rethink that. In this month’s Bank on Wipfli podcast, Wipfli’s blockchain and digital assets lead, David A. Canedo, and host Robert Zondag discuss the myths around crypto, how cryptocurrencies are being used and what opportunities exist for financial institutions in the cryptocurrency space today.

While bigger players will have certain advantages, size doesn’t really make a difference.

“Banks could potentially have greater AML exposure by not offering cryptocurrency services to customers,” Canedo says. “This is because customers will instead send funds from other exchanges and the banks won’t know the source of these. By offering cryptocurrency services, on-chain data can be analyzed to recognize patterns and red flags.

”While many of these technologies are reaching their mature phase, we are still early in adoption so it is important to be flexible as you learn more information.

Listen now to learn more about cryptocurrency.

A CRM system can have a tremendous impact on not only operational efficiency but also the customer experience. It can transform what used to take days of turnaround time for customers to hours or even minutes.

But how often have you heard others say that smaller community institutions simply can’t afford a CRM? Or that they don’t have the skillset to effectively execute one? It’s time to overcome this myth.

In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/robert-zondag) talks with special guest Jim Collins, Senior Director, Financial Services Industry at Salesforce (http://www.salesforce.com/), about how banks of all sizes can successfully implement CRM strategies. They cover:

· What different CRM strategies look like

· Understanding the costs, capital and infrastructure of CRM

· Tips, tools and tactics to align your team toward achieving your digital evolution goals

Listen to learn how your financial institution can create a successful CRM strategy.

Many banks are seeking tools to improve profitability and enhance lending. One such tool is the use of interest rate swaps. Should your bank be leveraging them?

In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/robert-zondag) tackles the subject with special guest Zoya Gargiulo, Principal at Mohanty Gargiulo (https://mohantyllc.com/). They cover:

· How banks can use interest rate swaps

· How banks are using interest rate swaps as a tool to manage interest-rate risk

· What banks need to know about implementing swap programs, such as risk components, reporting and accounting implications

· How banks can use advisors to effectively implement or augment a swap program

What do community banks really need most for their digital transformation? According to Mike Tenpas, President & CEO of UFS (https://www.ufstech.com/), the answer is confidence. In the end, digital transformation all comes down to the people, from your employees to the customers you serve.

With people in mind, Wipfli Senior Manager Robert Zondag (https://www.wipfli.com/about-wipfli/partners-and-associates/robert-zondag) sat down with Mike to discuss how banks can combat digital overload in an increasingly digital environment. In this podcast, they cover:

· Overcoming the uncertainty of how to proceed with digital strategies

· How C-suite executives can focus on strategy and being proactive instead of being reactive

· The importance of people in digital transformation

Listen to learn best practices for your bank’s digital transformation.