On the Balance Sheet®

In this episode, the guys are joined by DCG colleague and Executive Managing Director Justin Bakst to discuss “The Future of Deposits" with Kiah Haslett, the creator of "Fintech Takes Banking" (and formerly of Bank Director). Kiah and Justin define what it means to "own" a deposit relationship, examine how changing demographics influence deposit behavior, and assess the forthcoming introduction of Agentic AI and its impact on the overall digital customer experience, among many other topical deposit conversations. A wide-ranging deposit-oriented discussion well worth the time of any executive striving to become an institution that their customer "actually recommends" to others. 

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In this special “Fed Day” episode, Vin and Zach are joined by Gerard Cassidy of RBC Capital Markets, the legendary bank stock analyst and inventor of the “Texas Ratio.” The guys delve deep into expectations for growth, profitability, and credit in the banking industry as we enter Q4 and prepare for 2027. Gerard also expounds on what he looks for when analyzing banks, the one thing that absolutely destroys bank value, and his most important piece of advice for ALCOs.

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In this episode, the guys are joined by Brent Leslie, CEO of Maverick Bank, based in Lubbock, TX. Brent shares his journey from the baseball diamond to the ranks of state banking examiner to CEO of fast-growing Maverick Bank. The group discusses the lessons learned from Brent's early days looking at Texas bank balance sheets, his time at a community banking institution that was acquired by a larger player, and the purchase of a charter and reformation of former teammates to create the current-day Maverick Bank. 

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In the seventh episode of season five, Vin and Zach revisit the key asset/liability management themes from the second quarter, as well as assess what ALCOs should be focusing on as the third quarter progresses. The guys dive deep into industry margin tailwinds and headwinds, deposit growth and retention strategies straight from the boardroom, what proprietary DCG pricing metrics are indicating, and data-driven lending trends.

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In the sixth episode of the season, Chris Low, Chief Economist at FHN, rejoins the show LIVE from DCG’s 42nd Annual Balance Sheet & Model Risk Management Conference. Chris and the guys jump into the current inflation and unemployment storylines, rate expectations, the “dual mandate,” and what bankers should expect from a Kevin Warsh-led Federal Reserve.

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In the fifth episode of the season, the guys are joined by Mike Ewing, Chairman and CEO of Oak View National Bank (VA).  Mike expounds on his start in banking and his successes turning around banks who found themselves with credit issues in the ‘80s and ’90s.  The conversation then transitions into how he formed and organized Oak View during the early days of the Great Financial Crisis.  Permeating through the entire discussion is Mike’s passion for the role community banks play within their communities, and the people who develop the relationships to make that happen.  

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

This month, the guys are joined by Ben Lemoine, the Chief Financial Officer of Suncoast Credit Union located in Florida. Ben outlines his professional journey, which evolved from his days in Corporate CUs and consultative positions into the accountability of the CFO's chair at the 10th largest Credit Union in the country by asset size. He discusses Suncoast's hyperfocus on member acquisition and being able to see the direct impact they have on members' lives. Ben also shares the Credit Union's recent foray into using AI to enhance productivity. 

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In On the Balance Sheet®'s 50th episode, the guys are joined by DCG’s Jeff Croteau to parse through recent yield curve movements, the March Fed meeting, and Q1 ALCO themes. 

The discussion delves into why ALCOs need to understand their balance sheet needs and be opportunistic when rates are volatile, looking inward first when assessing funding game plans, as well as recent lending discussions and how pricing/volume trends may influence NII levels in 2026 and beyond.

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In the second episode of season 5, DCG’s own Joe Kennerson is back by popular demand and joins the guys to explore his 5 ALCO "Takes" for 2026. The conversation focuses on industry margin projections, a new era of liquidity management, balancing deposit growth vs cost savings, why you should “ignore” your competition, and the power of options both on and off the balance sheet.

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

In the highly anticipated season 5 opener, the guys are joined by Claudia Sahm, Chief Economist at New Century Advisors and architect of the famous “Sahm Rule.” Claudia provides her thoughts on the resilience of the US economy, key elements to be aware of on the unemployment and inflation fronts, Fed rate expectations and whether we are at risk of a policy error, and why she remains cautiously optimistic for 2026.

For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn.