In this episode, Sean and Gina discuss how COVID has served as low tide, exposing whether a bank's fundamental elements – like the brand and branch network – are up to the challenge. They take a listener question about how he can help his community bank and discuss banking's oppenness to change in this moment. Sharing success stories, they discuss banks leveraging their spheres of influence and remaining focused on customer-centric experiences, even as the industry prioritizes efficiency.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In an upcoming special guest episode, Sean and Gina welcome Jimmy Stead, Chief Consumer Banking Officer at Frost Bank, to discuss Frost's unique story of service in Texas communities. In this preview, Jimmy talks about the bank's organic growth strategy. He says, "We're really at our best when we have people who are in communities, they're engaged in communities, they're making a difference in communities, and for us, the branch serves as a focal point."

Tune in next week when Sean and Gina return to reflect on examples of best banking practices brought by our special guests and data and trends that are driving the industry forward.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In part two of the special guest episode, Sean and Gina welcome back Brad Tidwell, president and CEO of VeraBank, a community bank in Texas. Brad discusses some of the challenges for community banking, including the continuing economic impact of COVID and how banking can communicate what's happening and what's coming. He also discusses how VeraBank supported small businesses in their community with PPP lending, as well as what it takes to compete with the big banks with resourcefulness and humility.

This is Part 2 of our conversation.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In our next special guest episode, Sean and Gina welcome Brad Tidwell, president and CEO of VeraBank, a true community bank. Bringing a wealth of banking knowledge to the conversation, Brad talks about working as an executive with Chase (and Jamie Dimon) and what he learned about banking relationships and growth through his experiences. Those key lessons and learnings he was able to activate for community banking upon returning to home to East Texas. Today, the bank maintains its growth by embracing their distinctive brand and continuing commitment to the communities they serve.

This is Part 1 of our conversation.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

COVID is the great catalyst, ushering in change that may have been on the horizon for banking, but it’s now speeding things up. One particular shift we’re seeing is the industrywide recognition and financial institutions embracing their role in society to do good and give back. Banking for good is better for all; finding real ways to help the customer is better for the banks and for the customer. Even if it means some short-term losses, it turns into long-term gains for banks and credit unions.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Whether you’re a community bank, a regional bank, a credit union or a national bank, being embedded in the neighborhood and connected to the people you're serving represents your opportunity, now and in the future. Even through challenging times, banking has found its way with a customer-centric, purpose driven approach, especially in the consumer lending space. And it's bearing fruit, as evidenced by the latest FDIC report showing community banks are experiencing modest growth while the rest of the banking industry is sharply contracting.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Following up on our guest episode, we recap some of the foundations of relationship banking brought to life during COVID and provide a powerful definition of brand for our times. Understanding your purpose and crafting everything – from your people to your products – to meet that purpose and communicating that to all of the constituencies you serve – from leadership to employees, customers to communities – is critical, now more than ever.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this special episode, Sean and Gina welcome back Ryan Kilpatrick, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand and Communications Officer for Origin Bank to discuss his ideas on forming relationships with customers and understanding how they want to bank. Specifically, he addresses meeting the moment during COVID and why he believes that banking can help transform people's lives.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this special episode, Sean and Gina welcome Ryan Kilpatrick, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand and Communications Officer from Origin Bank, to the conversation to give real-world insights about relationship banking in the modern era. He talks about how building community through the bank’s people is central to Origin’s story of fostering deeper, more consultative relationships with their customers.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode, Sean and Gina discuss the power of the brand to financial institutions in stepping up during challenging times. Beyond the storefront, exterior signage and name and logo, what is your brand saying? Banks and credit unions are finding that tapping into their underlying purpose is helping them communicate their brand’s real value to their communities.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm