Banking with Interest

Lauren Anderson, senior vice president at the Bank Policy Institute, discusses the various approaches regulators are taking, both internationally and in the U.S., to banks and climate change—and how institutions are responding. That includes blowback to the SEC’s proposed climate disclosure standards and new climate guidelines from the FDIC and OCC. 

Karen Thomas, the former senior executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks about how the political influence of community banks has changed in the past two decades—and the biggest policy challenges facing them now. Those include closing the ILC loophole, CBDCs, and more.

Ramon Looby, the head of the Maryland Bankers Association, talks about financial education, financial inclusion and how crypto impacts both. He also tackles the need for a cannabis banking bill and what it’s like to be the first black leader of a state banking trade group.

Brad Tidwell, CEO and President of VeraBank in Texas, talks about how he is handling some of the biggest issues facing his institution and the industry, including his response to Fed interest rate hikes, how the bank finds new customers, and the struggle for talent acquisition. He also reveals the prize possession in his classic rock memorabilia collection.

The always quotable Richard Hunt, who is the departing president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, sits down to reflect on his tenure, including his biggest regret and what it was like to manage a large-bank trade group during the financial crisis and the pandemic. He also looks forward, discussing his views on CRA reform, student lending, CBDCs and more. Bonus: Richard goes through a “lightning round,” where he must give his reactions to a range of topics in under 30 seconds.

Nicole Lorch, president and chief operating officer of First Internet Bank, talks about how the bank has altered its approach from its start as the first state-chartered, FDIC-insured institution to operate entirely online. She also discusses its recent decision to eliminate overdraft fees, raise its minimum wage, and why its recent acquisition of First Century Bank was called off.

Jill Castilla, the president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond in Oklahoma, talks about the different ways her $354 million-asset bank has expanded its reach and stays relevant, including launching a new niche lending platform designed to help veterans get mortgages. She also discusses staffing challenges, why her bank launched a music festival and the biggest issues facing the industry.

John Ryan, the president and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors who unexpectedly passed away in May at the age of 58, talked last year about state bank regulators’ efforts to retire the siloed state-by-state system of financial services oversight. He, along with Charlie Clark, the director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, talked about the CSBS’ “Networked Supervision” plan.