For years, there's been a fundamental language barrier in banking. Marketers talk about 'impressions,' engagement,' and 'brand awareness.' But the C-suite and the board? They talk about efficiency ratios, loan-to-deposit balances, and return on equity. Today's episode tackles one of the toughest internal challenges in the industry: how to transition bank marketing from a perceived 'cost center' into a documented 'revenue driver'. Eric Cook, known for marketing agency WSI, The Linked Banker, and communitybanking.ai, discusses how to 'market your marketing' to your C-suite and board, so that they can see the value of the marketing team.

Helpful Links

Follow Eric on LinkedIn: (14) 🤘 Eric Cook, MBA | LinkedIn

WSI: Digital Marketing & AI Solutions for Community Banks | WSI

The Linked Banker: Become a Better Banker Online Today | The LinkedBanker

CommunityBanking.ai: CommunityBanking.ai - AI Adoption for Community Banks

As technology continues to evolve, community bankers often fear losing the personal touch that sets community banks apart. But the convenience technology provides doesn't have to be at odds with relationship banking. This episode features Joan Marsili, a longtime banker and chief growth officer at Marsili Growth Advisory. She recently co-hosted a webinar about leveraging what she calls "unreasonable hospitality" to prove marketing ROI and drive bank growth. She outlines an approach that focuses on the customer experience and personal touch, while still satisfying the desire to see a return on investment.

Helpful Links:

Follow Joan on LinkedIn: (2) Joann Marsili, MBA, CFMP | LinkedIn

With economic uncertainty in the air, managing risk in the loan portfolio can feel like navigating a minefield. It's more important now than ever to move from a reactionary approach to a proactive one. In this episode Michael Wear, a consultant and speaker at the upcoming Ohio LINK event, discusses moving from reactive to proactive risk management, along with chief lending officer Brandon Feltner, and correspondent loan officer Nick Bigley.

Helpful Links

Register for LINK (OH): LINK (OH) | ICBB Courses

Follow Michael Wear on LinkedIn: (3) Michael Wear, CRC | LinkedIn

ICBB Commercial Lending Solutions: Commercial Lending Solutions - ICBB

Running a community bank in 2026 can feel like a minefield, with constant change and constant challenges that are difficult to predict from one moment to the next. In this episode, host Madison Caplinger interviews Neil Stanley, founder and CEO of the CorePoint, on deposit strategy, AI, and innovation across the financial space.

Helpful Links:

Follow Neil Stanley on LinkedIn: (1) Neil Stanley | LinkedIn

Follow The CorePoint on LinkedIn: (1) The CorePoint: Overview | LinkedIn

AI is everywhere, and Agentic AI solutions are being sold to bankers right and left. But what is it, and what can it do for community banks? This episode features Angela Murphy, better known as "Payments Elsa," sought-after speaker and VP of Marketing and Innovation at Pidgin discussing Agentic AI with host Madison Caplinger and ICBB customer experience manager Chasity Bruce. This episode also serves as a preview for her presentation at LINK (TN) in Murfreesboro, TN on June 30, and at BOOM in Bowling Green on November 13.

Helpful Links:

Register for LINK (TN): LINK (TN) | ICBB Courses

Register for BOOM: BOOM West | ICBB Courses

The end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 have been eventful months for the economy. In this first market update episode of 2026, ICBB CFO Chris Dew, chief lending officer Brandon Feltner, and Scott Kimel from FNBB Capital Markets discuss mounting economic uncertainties and their effects on markets and community banks.

Helpful Links:

Register for LINK TN: LINK (TN) | ICBB Courses

Ladies LINK is fast approaching, and the lineup includes a topic that's key to career advancement but makes many want to run the other way: negotiation. As a preview of her session at Ladies LINK, Nan Gesche, speaker and author of "Ladies Let's Negotiate!" discusses how bankers, especially women, can reframe negotiation from competition to collaboration.

Helpful Links:

Ladies LINK | ICBB Courses

At ICBB, March is Women in Banking month. Three years ago, the team founding Fortuna Bank, a woman-owned bank in Columbus, Ohio, was interviewed on The Correspondent about the process of starting a bank and the need for women-owned banks. Now, Fortuna Bank has opened its doors, and CEO Ilaria Rawlins, and chief lending officer Michelle Haslinger have returned to give an update.

Helpful Links

Register for Ladies LINK: Ladies LINK | ICBB Courses

Learn more about Fortuna Bank: Home - Fortuna Bank

Follow Ilaria on LinkedIn: Ilaria Rawlins | LinkedIn

Follow Michelle on LinkedIn: Michelle Haslinger | LinkedIn

The Federal Reserve recently announced it will be sunsetting its Foreign and Canadian Check Service by year-end 2026, driven by declining transaction volumes and changing market demand, and community banks are racing to find alternative options. While Canadian checks are a small part of business for most banks, even services used infrequently can still play an important role for community banks and their customers. In this episode, Dan Caputo from ICBB's international payments partner, Ascendant, and customer experience manager, Chasity Bruce, discuss the transition and how community banks can prepare.

Helpful Links

Learn more about International Services: International Services - ICBB

Register for Ladies LINK: Ladies LINK | ICBB Courses

Register for BOOM: BOOM West | ICBB Courses

Everyone loves a good story. But how can storytelling help community banks break down complicated finance topics for their customers and communities? This episode answers that question with Emily Schwartz, music educator turned bank marketer. Emily is the director of financial education at MidFirst Bank, based in Oklahoma City, an instructor at the ABA's Bank Marketing School, and a highly sought after keynote speaker.

Helpful Links

Register for Ladies LINK: Ladies LINK | ICBB Courses

Follow Emily on LinkedIn: Emily Schwartz, Ph.D. | LinkedIn

Learn about Bank Marketing School: Bank Marketing School | American Bankers Association