Jack Rants with Modern Bankers

As Jack Hubbard wraps up another year of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, he welcomes back a familiar and trusted voice—Bill Fink, Chief Lending Officer at Provident Bank. For the third consecutive year, Bill joins Jack to break down what’s really happening in banking and the broader economy—and what bankers should be watching as they head into 2026.

Drawing from his hands-on work with clients, bankers, and market data, Bill shares why the outlook for 2026 can best be described as guarded but optimistic. The conversation dives deep into how businesses have adapted to tariffs, what confidence levels look like across industries, and why disciplined growth and proactive risk management remain essential for banks today.

Jack and Bill also tackle some of the biggest topics facing bankers right now, including commercial real estate realities, bank profitability and delinquencies, mergers and acquisitions, deposit insurance reform, small business banking, and the growing role of AI in sales and banking operations. With decades of experience and a rare blend of financial, sales, and strategic insight, Bill offers a grounded, practical perspective bankers can rely on as they plan for the year ahead.

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with Ron Buck and Bob St. Meyer to unveil AI Navigator, a groundbreaking AI-powered sales enablement platform built specifically for commercial and B2B bankers.

Ron shares the long-term vision behind AI Navigator—drawing inspiration from Apple’s legendary Knowledge Navigator, and explains how advances in AI reasoning now make it possible to deliver real-time insights, coaching, and call preparation exactly when bankers need it most. Bob adds perspective on how decades of sales training, playbooks, and coaching frameworks have been embedded into the platform to help bankers move from information gathering to high-impact, trust-building conversations.

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In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard welcomes the expert in the field, Jayne Hladio, President of Wealth Management at Associated Bank. Jayne shares her unique career trajectory, from a young girl inspired by community banking in rural Iowa to leading a massive wealth division.

The conversation delves into the distinct challenges faced by community banks versus large organizations when developing wealth services. Jayne highlights the innovative strategy she employed at Midland States Bank to launch a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm and the "Goldilocks situation" at Associated Bank, which functions as the nation's 40th largest trust company by assets under administration.

Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this powerful episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard welcomes back bestselling author, keynote speaker, and renowned business strategist Meridith Elliott Powell, a leader whose journey and insights continue to shape the future of sales, leadership, and organizational growth.

Jack and Meridith go deep into her newest book, Perspective: Reignite, Reinvent, Reframe, the final installment of her acclaimed “Thrive” trilogy. Meridith shares why today’s uncertain marketplace isn’t a threat, but an unparalleled opportunity for those who listen better, adapt faster, and lead with purpose.

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In this deep and eye-opening episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with bestselling author and global sales thought leader Brent Adamson, co-author of The Challenger Sale, The Challenger Customer, and the groundbreaking new book The Frame-Making Sale.

Brent shares powerful new research revealing the real reason deals stall, buyers disappear, and decisions drag on and it has nothing to do with your brand, product, or value props. Instead, it all comes down to something far more human: customer self-confidence.

This episode is a must-listen for bankers, sales leaders, relationship managers, and anyone navigating today’s complex buying landscape. Brent’s insights will challenge everything you thought you knew about sales—and give you a new roadmap for winning decisions in a world where customers are overwhelmed and unsure.

If you’ve ever had a deal stall, a buyer ghost you, or a champion say “If it were up to me…” this episode will change the way you sell.

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In this insightful episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with branding expert, author, and Banktastic founder Martha Bartlett Piland to explore what it truly means for financial institutions to build brands that do something, not just say something.

With her second bestseller, “Don’t Just Brand There, Do Something”, Martha shares why many banks still fall into the trap of commoditization, how they can differentiate more meaningfully, and why a brand built

on empty promises can no longer survive in today’s competitive landscape.

If you’re a community bank leader, marketer, or anyone responsible for the future of a financial brand, this conversation is packed with perspective-shifting insights you won’t want to miss.

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In this inspiring episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard welcomes back best-selling author and emotional intelligence expert Colleen Stanley for her third appearance, this time to discuss her new book, Be the Mentor Who Mattered.

Colleen shares the heartfelt story behind her “passion project” and explores how small, authentic moments of connection, what she calls “mentor moments,” can change the trajectory of a life or career. From her Iowa farm roots to building a successful sales leadership company, Colleen reveals how gratitude, presence, and emotional intelligence shape true mentorship.

Together, Jack and Colleen reflect on the impact of informal mentors, the challenges of leadership in the post-COVID, Zoom-heavy world, and how to reignite genuine human connection in business and beyond. They also touch on AI’s role in mentorship, the importance of “showing up and trying,” and why the next “greatest generation” may be those who simply choose to lift others up.

Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this deeply inspiring episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with Charleen Wheeless, an award-winning executive, author of You Are Enough, and former Washington Redskins cheerleader, to discuss her remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in Oakland to becoming one of the youngest African American female executives in corporate America.

Charleen opens up about the lessons she learned from her courageous mother, overcoming adversity in the workplace, navigating cancer, and reclaiming her identity through authenticity and purpose. She shares powerful insights on mentorship versus championship, the myth of work-life balance, and why women must stop apologizing for their success.

This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, self-worth, and leadership, a reminder that you are enough, just as you are.

Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with Joe McMann, co-founder of AIR, the company behind award-winning AI solutions for governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity. From Wall Street to Main Street, Joe shares how his journey from professional golfer to investment banker led to the creation of a patented AI platform transforming how financial institutions safely integrate artificial intelligence.

Jack and Joe dive deep into the real-world applications of AI in banking, exploring how community banks can leverage technology to stay competitive against industry giants. They discuss the widening gap between institutions that adopt AI and those that don’t, the critical role of fiduciary responsibility in digital transformation, and how AI-driven platforms like FIN are redefining wealth management and client engagement.

Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), one of the leading voices advocating for small business owners in Washington, D.C.

Karen shares her 30-year journey fighting for entrepreneurs and shaping policies that impact Main Street America. From AI adoption and global market challenges to tariffs, startup trends, and succession planning, she dives into the real issues affecting today’s small business landscape.

Discover how the SBE Council helps business owners stay informed, influence legislation, and thrive amid constant change. Karen also discusses the rise of agentic commerce, the power of AI for small business growth, and why the future has never been brighter for entrepreneurs who are ready to adapt.

Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ