Plugged In - A Banking Podcast

The frequent flyer miles are overflowing for Steve and Al as they continue to visit banks across the country. In this episode, they dish on the burning C-suite issues, including: recession risks, core deposit growth challenges (and ideas to overcome them) and an area they believe bankers need to step it up on – their succession planning. Don’t worry. They talk about Snoop Dogg, too.

Mike Daniels, the chairman and CEO of Nicolet Bank and Green Bay Packers’ board member, talks to Al and Steve about what it takes for a community bank to flourish right now and the NFL offseason.

They also chat about how to preserve company culture when the business is scaling and offer tips on what not to do in pursuing deposits. Also, Mike provides a peek at what it’s like banking in America’s dairy land.

In this episode, Al and Steve discuss the mounting scrutiny on banking-as-a-service providers, the perplexities tied to a higher interest rate environment and the mounting concerns of succession planning.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Your hosts also chat about when M&A activity will pick up, how to preserve and nurture creativity while also mitigating risk and ways to become the best small business bank of the future.

It’s hard to stand out in banking but not impossible. In this cross-over edition of Plugged In, Al Dominick sits down with Mary Wisniewski to explore talent retention, theatrical innovation acts and the importance of the return on tech. They also get into mistakes banks make (ahem, on their social media video efforts) and introduce Mary's new show, 'Money Isn't Everything,' which starts to drop in mid-April. 

Tom Michaud, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, is back! This time, he joins Steve and Al to answer the question bankers across the country want to know: How to compete with big institutions and non-banks.

 On the show, they get into common mistakes banks make, takeaways from KBW’s Winter Financial Services conference, and why they think the industry outlook right now is relatively positive.  While fusing industry insights with the beats of timeless tunes from U2, the White Stripes and a few other favorites, Tom reminds listeners: the stocks had a 35% rally from the end of October to year end. 

In this episode, Al and Steve sit down with April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, to chat about growth strategies in Michigan, a state that ranks 49th in overall population growth since the 1990s. Spoiler: For the university credit union, it includes more intimate marketing, like sponsoring green-and-white pizzas (the university’s colors) and pizza-making classes.

April also dishes on the credit union’s two digital banks, while the crew explores how to deal with lost revenue when becoming a $10 billion institution (thanks, Durbin).

Join Al Dominick and Steve Williams as they speak with Kirk Wycoff, managing partner, and Tom Cestare, COO, of Patriot Financial Partners to delve into how banks are building resilience through digital innovation. This episode features discussions on the integration of technology in banking operations, the importance of maintaining a robust digital posture, and strategies for efficient tech implementation. The conversation also explores how banks are balancing traditional practices with new digital demands to create a more resilient and competitive banking environment. 

Listen as they delve into the pivotal role of community banks within the financial ecosystem and how masterful management is the lynchpin of a strong balance sheet. Reflecting on the complacency in data interpretation in recent years, they explore how a select few banks under $10 billion withstood the storm, and the strategic role non-interest bearing deposits play in fortifying bank defenses against rate hikes. Optimism reigns supreme as they forecast a renaissance for community and regional banks in profitability and mergers and acquisitions, provided those banks adeptly navigate the shifting interest rate climates.

 To wrap up, Al, Steve and Kirk pay tribute to the dynamic shifts in banking acquisitions and salute the enduring influence of pioneering leaders who continue to shape the future of banking.

In this year’s final episode of Plugged In, Al and Steve reflect on their favorite moments from 2023 – including in banking, books and music. They also explore the top traits that make for smarter banks. Bonus: Hear the backstory of how the GonzoBanker Awards were developed. Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest from industry leaders in Banking, Finance, and Fintech!

Al and Steve sit down with Maria Tedesco, the president of Atlantic Union, the commonwealth of Virginia’s largest independent bank. They explore how to navigate some of the thorniest industry challenges, including: retaining deposits in a rising rate environment, cultivating trust in digital channels and leading efforts to diversify talent, especially in the c-suite. Steve sings a little Dave Matthews, too.Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest from industry leaders in Banking, Finance, and Fintech!

Al and Steve are back! Here is the audio version of their Smarter Bank Live virtual event that you don't want to miss. Join the insightful discussion on how banks can transform into "Smarter Banks" in the current environment. They explore 5 key pillars - being hyper-efficient, differentiated, nimble, data-driven, and opportunistic. Steve and Al share real examples of banks excelling in these areas, like Capital One's data prowess, Coastal Community Bank's innovative banking-as-a-service model, and Live Oak Bank's tech startup nCino. They discuss the competitive threats from big tech like Apple, Twitter/X, and new digital banks. Other topics include generative AI, building a digital scorecard, and the need for pragmatic innovation. Steve and Al provide practical tips for bank executives on mindsets, processes, and talent strategies to implement the Smarter Bank model. This episode provides an insightful playbook for banks of all sizes to transform themselves and deliver more value in a digital world. Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest in Banking and Fintech from Cornerstone Advisors.