Main Street Banking: A Podcast for Community Bankers

We're continuing our series on looking at the question "What happens when a banker becomes the customer?" Today, we're looking at the process of selecting a new bank. As discussed in the episode, I am NOT saying that my thought process is the ONLY process...or even the right one. It's just mine and my family's. But, we're a dual income family, 2 kids, a dog, and a mortgage moving into a new community where our current bank does not have a presence. That's not all that unusual.

So, let's walk through that through the eyes of a customer.

Be sure to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Big news this week coming from the Fed and other reports coming out as well. Lots of things to keep an eye on for community bankers and when it comes to these things, Jim Reber is the best in the business.

Be sure you're following him on social media and be sure to check out their page at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Going to do be doing something a little different the next few weeks...my family and I are in the middle of buying/selling/moving. I know...we're crazy.

But this whole process has made me look at being a banking customer differently. What happens when a banker is the customer?

So, I thought we'd spend some time documenting this process but from that angle...when we are the customer, what can we learn about the banking business?

Many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, for helping us put this podcast on! Check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

It's not every day that you get to sit down and chat with the musicians you hear on a podcast...it's also not every day some of those musicians happen to be in banking!

Today, we interview Porter "Doc" Robinson and Aubrey Earnheart...2 long time former bankers and get their advice from careers long devoted to the banking industry. These types of podcasts offer some extraordinary perspectives on the industry particularly to our younger audience. It's more than just career advice...it is reflections on what motivated individuals and hear their wisdom. That they just happen to be the drummer and guitar player in the intro music just happens to make it extra cool.

If you're interested, you can check out our band's page at https://www.deltaheartmusic.com/

And as always, many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities. Be sure to visit them at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

As frequent listeners know, financial literacy is a big topic with me because I've seen it work in the lives of my customers. In addition, another big topic is bringing the power of fintech and "the big banks" into the hands of community bankers...particularly when you can integrate that into your bank's customer experience.

I sat down today with Jacob Bouer, Director of Strategic Partnerships with Array to talk about these two issues. Their product tackles both of these big issues. These are ideas that helps banks be good by doing good.

Check out Array at https://www.array.com/

And don't forget our sponsor, ICBA Securities, at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

The whole "crypto" thing is something that community banks are going to have to figure out sooner rather than later. There is a TON of questions around it and, right now, we don't have a lot of answers.

I sat down with Chris Doner, CEO of Access Softek, to discuss this and his company's approach to this and robo-investing.

Check out their site at https://www.accesssoftek.com/

And don't forget our sponsors, ICBA Securities, at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Wrapping up our graduate school week, I had an interesting experience that taught me a good bit about what is old...may not be dead.

Just because loud voices like to announce the death of something, does not mean that the sky is necessarily falling. It's not really a binary paradigm in community banking. Said another way...it's not either/or. It's both/and.

See, we have to be good at all aspects of human interaction and human relationships today. If you'll go back and listen to our episode with the Arkansas State students...you'll see that half of them never wanted to set foot in a branch and the other half did. These were well informed students of banking and finance too, mind you.

So, with apologies to the Greyjoys of the Iron Islands...what is "dead" may truly never die.

Be sure to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

You may have noticed that there's been some news lately about the Federal Reserve's meeting this week. It was announced that the Fed has increased rates by .75% which is the largest rate increase since 1994.

And when things like this happen...we turn to Jim Reber at ICBA Securities to bring you the latest insights.

Be sure to check out their website at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

One of the great things about this podcast is the really cool people we get to meet. Collateral Edge's CEO, Joe Beard is definitely one of those people.

First, Collateral Edge is a really interesting idea that has the potential to do what we at the podcast strive to accomplish...change the world through community banking. Using the knowledge that he and his team have in investment banking, Collateral Edge is partnering with banks to better address credit needs in their community by reimaging middle market efficiencies. The implications here are HUGE for low-to-moderate income communities and fostering entrepreneurial development there.

He also has written a good bit about leadership and culture...two other huge topics here at the podcast. Leveraging his career in the military (He's a West Point grad and held leadership positions in the military) he has some great points around this crucial topic.

I wanted to pick his brain on these two areas and not leave out anything...thus...we had Joe for 2 weeks. I hope you enjoyed part 1 (and if you haven't listened to it...do so now!)

Check out Collateral Edge at www.collateraledge.com/

And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, for ensuring this type of content reaches the community banking industry. Be sure to visit them at www.icba.org/icba-securities

One of the great things about this podcast is the really cool people we get to meet. Collateral Edge's CEO, Joe Beard is definitely one of those people.

First, Collateral Edge is a really interesting idea that has the potential to do what we at the podcast strive to accomplish...change the world through community banking. Using the knowledge that he and his team have in investment banking, Collateral Edge is partnering with banks to better address credit needs in their community by reimaging middle market efficiencies. The implications here are HUGE for low-to-moderate income communities and fostering entrepreneurial development there.

He also has written a good bit about leadership and culture...two other huge topics here at the podcast. Leveraging his career in the military (He's a West Point grad and held leadership positions in the military) he has some great points around this crucial topic.

I wanted to pick his brain on these two areas and not leave out anything...thus...we have Joe for 2 weeks. I hope you enjoy part 1 and stay tuned for part 2 next week.

Check out Collateral Edge at https://www.collateraledge.com/

And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, for ensuring this type of content reaches the community banking industry. Be sure to visit them at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities