Banking is a risk business, but in today’s environment, we are being faced with uncertain times. Financial institutions have always had partners who could help evaluate, address, and mitigate risk but today they need to lean on those partners more than ever. Welcome to Bank on Wipfli. Each episode, we’ll feature discussions around industry issues, hot topics and current trends, giving you an insider's look at how top performers and professionals are staying ahead of the curve.
When should financial institutions look to integrate AI into their operations, and how should they do it? In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, we explore practical considerations for AI use in the industry, with a focus on security and user experience.Wipfli's Robert Zondag, partner, and Matt Sabo, director, talk with Joseph Pellissery, Chief Information Officer at Wescom Credit Union, about AI adoption strategy, including:The use of AI in quality assurance for financial institutions.The importance of balancing security measures with user experience considerations.The growing need for digital access for credit union members.
With many agricultural lenders aging out, there is a talent shortage within agricultural lending. This shortage emphasizes the need for more automation and AI to reduce support tasks and allow lenders to focus on true risk management and better productivity.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, we dig into the role of AI and automation in modernizing the world of agricultural lending. Special guest Croptell Founder Scott Sartor joined Wipfli Partner Robert Zondag to discuss:• The role of communication between farmers and lenders in financial decision-making.• The use of AI to automate loan approval processes.• Enhancing efficiency in agricultural lending.Listen in to learn how data utilization can improve a lender's loan portfolio in agricultural lending.
How can financial institutions leverage wealth programs to enhance customer relationships and community impact? Over the next 20 years, $84 trillion in assets are expected to be transferred, and this episode of Bank on Wipfli explores what financial institutions can do to connect with the nextgeneration and retain those assets.Special guest Anne Schutt, Vice President of Business Development for Midwestern Securities, joined Wipfli's Robert Zondag, Partner, to discuss:• The importance of board support and involvement in wealth programs.• Strategies for engaging with the next generation during the great wealth transfer.• Steps to start a new wealth program from scratch.
Fraudsters keep innovating, and the reality today is that fraud is a business. The concept of “fraud as a service” is increasingly relevant as companies emerge that cater to malicious actors with services ranging from automated platforms for taking over phones to data mining tools for collecting personal information.In response, financial institutions must implement robust and adaptive security measures.That's the topic of this episode of Bank on Wipfli. Robert Zondag and Mary Beth Marchione, partners at Wipfli, speak to Spencer Crane, principal solutions architect at ID Dataweb, and Mark Dreux, global financial services leader at ID Dataweb, on combatting fraud. They discuss:• Emerging cyberfraud tactics: Fraudsters are using tools like generative AI to compromisesecurity measures, necessitating proactive defenses.• Balancing security and user experience: Implementing robust identity verification can enhancesecurity while also improving the user experience, aiding in customer retention and acquisition.Listen in to learn about the evolving and sophisticated nature of cyberfraud tactics and what your financial institution can do to mitigate risk
The impact of elder financial fraud is over $270 billion per year. Research shows that 83% of older adults want to know more about protecting themselves from elder financial exploitation, and 96% believe companies should do more to protect them.So how can financial institutions and advisors protect their elderly clients from financial scams, fraud and exploitation?In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, principal at Wipfli, speaks with Jason Thomas, cofounder of myFloc, on:Preparing for the great wealth transfer.The importance of normalizing conversations around financial fraud to help combat exploitation and financial crimes against the elderly.Listen in to learn more about how to cultivate transparency with clients and encourage them and their family members to get comfortable with addressing these issues head-on.
Bank on Wipfli
When is the right time to establish a dedicated project management office (PMO) or allocate dedicated project management resources within an organization? Listen in to this episode of Bank on Wipfli to find out. Special guest Tina Dinger, SVP Head of Enterprise PMO, Northwest Bank, joined Wipfli's Robert Zondag, Principal, and Tim Merrell, Senior Manager, to discuss:Project management roles and your staffing needs to create a PMO.What type of existing employees could make great project managers and tips on what to look for.The importance of continuous improvement within the PMO and how to evolve.
Effective customer acquisition is vital to driving growth in today's dynamic market. But reaching — and keeping — new customers may require your financial institution to understand how you can expand beyond your usual marketing channels and leverage data to drive success.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, special guest Nicky Senyard, CEO and founder of Fintel Connect, joins host Robert Zondag and Wipfli's Michelle Joseph for a look at the different strategies and metrics you can use to optimize customer acquisitions.Listen in as they discuss:The distinction between brand and acquisition marketing strategies.Key metrics for measuring customer acquisition and optimizing marketing efforts.Different marketing channel strategies and what data indicates success in each channel.
Whether you refer to your buyers as customers or members, data helps financial institutions understand them and predict their behavior patterns. It is a continuous process and requires a sound strategy. The majority of businesses today are using data analytics to improve their decision-making and their operational performance — and savvy financial institutions should, too.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, join Robert Zondag, Wipfli principal, and Matt Sabo, Wipfli director, for a discussion with Wescom Credit Union leaders Dave Cerwinski and Joseph Pellissery. They cover: · How data helps financial institutions understand their buyers (aka customers and members)· The kinds of offers that keep buyers loyal· How data empowers associates at your institution in their engagement with buyers
Fraudsters are targeting small and medium-sized businesses like never before. And this puts the financial institutions working with these customers increasingly at risk when originating ACH and providing remote data capture (RDC).Traditional, manual audit methods simply cannot keep up with the explosion in fraud among customers at financial institutions who originate ACH payments and use RDC for deposits. This leaves financial institutions more vulnerable to risk than they may realize. Our Bank on Wipfli special guest to discuss risk management automation is Trevor Lain, founder and CEO of LexAlign PBC. Join Lain, Wipfli partner Robert H. Zondag and Wipfli senior manager Tim Merrell for a conversation on today's oversight challenges and the best ways to address them. They cover:· The drawbacks of current manual audit practices· Gaps created in business operations in current practices· The benefits of automating required audit and security reviews · How improving risk management supports growth and sales
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT provide exciting opportunities for financial institutions to enhance customer service and increase operational efficiency. But any innovative technology also carries new risks to manage. In the hands of bad actors, generative AI also has the potential to increase the rate and sophistication of cyberattacks.Join this episode of Bank on Wipfli as we discuss the benefits of these new tools and how you can help ensure your defenses are AI ready.Listen in as Jeff Olejnik, principal at Wipfli, and Robert Zondag, partner at Wipfli, discuss: • The benefits and potential risks of AI • How to prepare your cybersecurity • Why financial institutions should have AI in their long-term digital strategy
Join us for a conversation about the state of vendor management. Learn how outsourcing management can help your organization meet rising customer expectations.
The regulations around overdraft fees are changing fast. If your financial institution wants to be compliant and avoid litigation, you'll need to keep up. In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, we cover ways that you can manage regulations. Learn how clear communication and transparency in member agreements can help you navigate representment and the FDIC's unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices policies.Our special guest is Cheryl Lawson, executive vice president of compliance review at JMFA. Join Cheryl and Wipfli senior manager Robert Zondag as they cover how to respond to litigation and answer these questions:· How can you ensure your financial institution's overdraft program is compliant with all regulations?· How can you ensure transparency and help account holders know what they're agreeing to?· How can you keep up with all the regulations around overdraft programs?
Economic uncertainties are top of mind for most businesses and individuals. How will we know when we're in a recession, and how should we prepare? How bad is it likely to be? Are interest rates likely to remain high? When will the housing market turn around?These are some of the key questions we address in this episode of Bank on Wipfli, which takes a deeper dive behind the alarmist headlines. Our special guest is Elliot Eisenberg, chief economist at GraphsandLaughs LLC and former senior economist at the National Association of Home Builders and consultant to real estate professional associations, hedge funds and investment advisory groups. Join Eisenberg and Wipfli senior manager Robert Zondag as they discuss the state of the economy and the implications for:
The latest trends in banking show that customers, especially younger ones, are expecting more from their online banking. To keep up, banks need to create effective digital interactions that not only increase customer engagement but also provide key data for decision making.This episode of Bank on Wipfli examines how you can move beyond digital banking services and rethink the way you reach your customers online.Our special guest for this episode is Scott Brown, vice president of growth at Larky. Listen in as he and Robert Zondag, senior manager at Wipfli, discuss:How do push notifications compare to email notifications? Which is more effective?What kind of valuable data could be provided from digital interactions?How can your financial institution begin the journey of improving your digital communications?
How could a succession plan benefit your financial institution?Succession planning is often associated with the C-Suite. But have you considered how an unexpected circumstance may impact your financial institution at any level?This episode of Bank on Wipfli explores the foundations of an effective succession strategy. It also covers the ways that talent management and succession planning can connect.Listen in as Robert Zondag and Barbara Low, Wipfli senior managers, discuss:When is the right time to create a succession plan, and how long does it take to create?How far should developing a succession plan go?Can it help retain talent?
What is cryptocurrency and blockchain technology's role in the future of financial institutions?The next year is finally going to bring more answers than questions as generations — especially Gen Z and millennials — continue to adopt evolving technologies. These generations are also inheriting the largest generational wealth transfer, making it essential for institutions to determine how they, too, will adopt new and evolving technologies. Our special guest for this episode of Bank on Wipfli is Dr. Sean Stein Smith, CPA, CMA, CGMA, CFE, an assistant professor at Lehman College CUNY and one of Accounting Today's Top 100 most influential people in accounting. Listen in as Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, and Dr. Stein Smith discuss:· What is a stable coin, and how does it differ from other crypto?· How can you start integrating crypto in your financial institution?· Would incorporating crypto affect reporting?
What is cryptocurrency and blockchain technology's role in the future of financial institutions?The next year is finally going to bring more answers than questions as generations — especially Gen Z and millennials — continue to adopt evolving technologies. These generations are also inheriting the largest generational wealth transfer, making it essential for institutions to determine how they, too, will adopt new and evolving technologies. Our special guest for this episode of Bank on Wipfli is Dr. Sean Stein Smith, CPA, CMA, CGMA, CFE, an assistant professor at Lehman College CUNY and one of Accounting Today's Top 100 most influential people in accounting. Listen in as Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, and Dr. Stein Smith discuss:· What is a stable coin, and how does it differ from other crypto?· How can you start integrating crypto in your financial institution?· Would incorporating crypto affect reporting?
Most consumers use digital banking to take a quick look at recent activity, check for fraud or verify deposits. A monthly review of a financial statement is a different experience altogether.As the world becomes increasingly digital, institutions must create a functioning e-statement experience for consumers. The more financial institutions can do to provide their customers with meaningful insights and summary data, the more they can help them understand their financial lives. But how do you create a better e-statement experience? That's the subject of this episode of Bank on Wipfli. Listen in as Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to e-statement specialists Griffin Mcgahey, President at HC3, and Jeremiah James, Chief Product Officer at HC3. They discuss:· Whether there is a future for printed statements.· How you can get multiple systems to work together seamlessly.· Why many financial institutions continue to be disappointed in their e-statement experience and what operations challenges they face in today's environment.Listen in to learn what e-statement solutions your financial institution can leverage.
Most consumers use digital banking to take a quick look at recent activity, check for fraud or verify deposits. A monthly review of a financial statement is a different experience altogether.As the world becomes increasingly digital, institutions must create a functioning e-statement experience for consumers. The more financial institutions can do to provide their customers with meaningful insights and summary data, the more they can help them understand their financial lives. But how do you create a better e-statement experience? That's the subject of this episode of Bank on Wipfli. Listen in as Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to e-statement specialists Griffin Mcgahey, President at HC3, and Jeremiah James, Chief Product Officer at HC3. They discuss:· Whether there is a future for printed statements.· How you can get multiple systems to work together seamlessly.· Why many financial institutions continue to be disappointed in their e-statement experience and what operations challenges they face in today's environment.Listen in to learn what e-statement solutions your financial institution can leverage.
Changes are happening in real estate, from commercial to residential. More workers are starting to come back into offices that have been practically empty for two years. Retirees selling their homes and moving into cities is contributing to a shortage of multifamily apartments and raising rents.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to Dr. Stephen Buckman, a professor in the Master of Real Estate Development Program at Clemson University, about the commercial real estate trends. They discuss:· How the residential market compares to the commercial market.· What factors are important to look at when talking about commercial real estate.· If there's a call back to the office, how that will effect commercial real estate.Listen in to learn what your financial institutions needs to know about the real estate market.
The employee experience remains a strategic issue for financial institutions. While many executive leaders recognize the importance of creating a people plan that aligns with their strategic plan, many don't have the time or capacity to put the necessary amount of effort into building and executing on it. At the same time, 36% of financial services workers feel their senior leaders are not providing clear direction about where the organization is headed, and 32% feel their managers are not effective in serving and supporting the team. In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to Michelle Joseph, Manager within the employee experience team at Wipfli, talk about creating a better employee experience. They discuss: How executives can get more involved in creating a positive employee experience How you can make your employees feel heard
Investment accessibility has never been higher. Mobile phones are providing every-day people with access to all investment platforms, whether conventional or unconventional. And innovations like commission-free trading continue to push investing forward. In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to guest Ben Soppitt, CEO of Unifimoney, Inc., about: How investing has changed across generations. How your financial institution can provide customers with options to participate in investing when and where they want to. The impact of Amazon and gamification on wealth management services and delivery. Listen in to learn how your senior leadership can consider their strategy surrounding investment experience.
Work is on trial. Employees are reassessing why they work and where they work, and they're leaving jobs at record rates to find out what exactly drives them. Improving the employee experience is top of mind for financial institutions — and for good reason. The employee experience is critical in attracting talented people and keeping the ones you already have. And it's everyone's responsibility in the organization, from leadership to HR, to foster a better experience. How? In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager, and Michelle Joseph, manager in Wipfli's organization performance practice, dive into: Who is responsible for creating the employee experience How to get past the “hype” and adapt to employee needs at a pace that is digestible for everyone involved The importance of designing a people plan that aligns with your strategic plan Listen in to learn employee experience best practices.
The working age population is at an all-time historical low. Although it has been slowly rising, this trend is expected to continue for 10 more years—and it's putting pressure on financial institutions that are trying to attract and retain top talent. Many are seeing employees leave for competitors or for other job opportunities that better fit their needs and their expectations.So, what are some effective measures you can implement to attract and retain talent?Listen to our latest Bank on Wipfli episode to find out. Wipfli's Robert Zondag, Senior Manager and Barbara Low, Manager, discuss how to attract top talent and how to retain it, including:•The true labor market challenge facing financial institutions today.•What elements contribute to an institution's ability to retain needed talent.•The importance of culture, succession planning and employee development.
In the years to come, technology-based healthcare is going to make a big difference in where the dollars are coming from in senior living.This episode of Bank on Wipfli explores some of the most significant trends in senior living and home healthcare that financial institutions should be aware of from a financing perspective. Wipfli's Robert Zondag, Senior Manager, Tiffany Karlin, Principal, and Mike Vaccarella, partner, discuss:· The wide spectrum of services for the senior living industry· How these services have evolved significantly over the past two years due to COVID-19 pandemic· How shifts in the industry could impact lending and investments in that space
What are some of the recent trends in community banking, and how are banks leveraging those to gain a competitive edge in the market?Wipfli recently released its research report on the state of community banking, which explores these trends and strategies. And in this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager, and Anna Kooi, National Financial Services Industry Leader, Partner, at Wipfli, discuss the research report and its findings. Listen in to learn about:Digital transformation and the path to serving customers digitallyCryptocurrency, digital assets and the rise of that service line within community bankingHow to better manage, hire and retain talentGet the full report here: Wipfli community banking outlook 2022 research
Is your financial institution facing price compression? To avoid becoming a “commodity,” institutions must diversify their service offerings and add more value to customers.When it comes to trust operations, financial institutions are trending toward using an outsourcing model with a risk-based/cost-benefit approach. They are evaluating the real reasons they are outsourcing, whether it's because it's temporary pain relief, a supplement or a solution that's truly necessary.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager, and Carrie Connell, Partner, from Wipfli talk to Loyd Pohl, CEO of Pohl Consulting and Training, Inc about trends in trust operations. They discuss:The impact of the “Turnover Tsunami” on trust operationsConsolidation, exiting and related strategies in the trust marketplaceThe commoditization of financial services across all providers and its impact on traditional trust operationsListen in to learn how your financial institution can address the challenges you're currently facing in trust operations.
Looking at 2022 trends in commercial real estate can help financial institutions and lenders think strategically and prepare their next steps.In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks to Dr. Stephen Buckman, Professor of Real Estate and Development at Clemson University about the major trends financial institutions should be keeping track of. They discuss:The current state of commercial real estate, from industrial use to office space to multi-family developmentAreas to consider in the market, including the future of retail, affordable housing and opportunity zonesHow climate change could impact the commercial real estate marketListen in to learn what your financial institution should be preparing for.
ESG. It's getting a lot of buzz but do you know what it stands for? And more important, are you incorporating it into your business? ESG is the umbrella term for environmental, social and governance issues that financial institutions big and small are focusing on these days.Financial institutions that take these issues to heart understand how important they are for their brand and their business. Is your organization doing all it can to show consumers, investors and employees that you are on top of your ESG game?Our host Robert Zondag talks with Wipfli Senior Manager Karen Mitchell about how banks and other financial institutions are setting up effective ESG programs. You'll learn how demonstrating your commitment to the values that benefit society also helps your business.Listen in to learn how developing and communicating your ESG strategy can give your company a competitive edge in the marketplace.
What are the latest third-party risk management threats and regulatory changes your financial institution should be looking at right now?With the explosion of cyberthreats, third-party risk management programs have to depend on more than point-in-time security assessments. For example, if your vendors have remote employees due the pandemic, but this wasn't a consideration in your last risk review or due diligence, that's a risk you haven't assessed.Does your third-party risk management program lack the resources to get it all done? Is it causing you to fall behind on risk monitoring?This podcast episode is for you. Our host, Robert Zondag, Senior Manager at Wipfli, talks with Hilary Jewhurst, Third-Party Risk Evangelist & Advocate at Venminder, about what to do when you have too much work and not enough resources, and how to prepare for upcoming interagency guidancee too much work and not enough resources, and how to prepare for upcoming interagency guidance
If you've decided your financial institution is too traditional or too small to get into the cryptocurrency market, it might be time to rethink that. In this month's Bank on Wipfli podcast, Wipfli's blockchain and digital assets lead, David A. Canedo, and host Robert Zondag discuss the myths around crypto, how cryptocurrencies are being used and what opportunities exist for financial institutions in the cryptocurrency space today. While bigger players will have certain advantages, size doesn't really make a difference. “Banks could potentially have greater AML exposure by not offering cryptocurrency services to customers,” Canedo says. “This is because customers will instead send funds from other exchanges and the banks won't know the source of these. By offering cryptocurrency services, on-chain data can be analyzed to recognize patterns and red flags. ”While many of these technologies are reaching their mature phase, we are still early in adoption so it is important to be flexible as you learn more information. Listen now to learn more about cryptocurrency.
A CRM system can have a tremendous impact on not only operational efficiency but also the customer experience. It can transform what used to take days of turnaround time for customers to hours or even minutes. But how often have you heard others say that smaller community institutions simply can't afford a CRM? Or that they don't have the skillset to effectively execute one? It's time to overcome this myth. In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag talks with special guest Jim Collins, Senior Director, Financial Services Industry at Salesforce, about how banks of all sizes can successfully implement CRM strategies. They cover: · What different CRM strategies look like · Understanding the costs, capital and infrastructure of CRM · Tips, tools and tactics to align your team toward achieving your digital evolution goals Listen to learn how your financial institution can create a successful CRM strategy.
Many banks are seeking tools to improve profitability and enhance lending. One such tool is the use of interest rate swaps. Should your bank be leveraging them? In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Robert Zondag tackles the subject with special guest Zoya Gargiulo, Principal at Mohanty Gargiulo. They cover: · How banks can use interest rate swaps · How banks are using interest rate swaps as a tool to manage interest-rate risk · What banks need to know about implementing swap programs, such as risk components, reporting and accounting implications · How banks can use advisors to effectively implement or augment a swap program
What do community banks really need most for their digital transformation? According to Mike Tenpas, President & CEO of UFS, the answer is confidence. In the end, digital transformation all comes down to the people, from your employees to the customers you serve. With people in mind, Wipfli Senior Manager Robert Zondag sat down with Mike to discuss how banks can combat digital overload in an increasingly digital environment. In this podcast, they cover: · Overcoming the uncertainty of how to proceed with digital strategies · How C-suite executives can focus on strategy and being proactive instead of being reactive · The importance of people in digital transformation Listen to learn best practices for your bank’s digital transformation.
While there were only a handful of de novo banks annually from 2009-2018, the number of new bank applications and charters has begun to rise again. If you’re curious about what it takes to start a de novo bank, you may be wondering what steps and obstacles you could encounter during the process. In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Mike Vesel and Robert Zondag talk to two founders of de novo banks: Charles DeWitt, Founding Chairman and CEO of Tandem Bank, and Bill Hopper, Founding Chairman and CEO of Classic City Bank. We discuss the strategy behind how they set up their banks, what challenges they encountered and more. Listen to learn more about what is involved in getting a de novo bank off the ground.
You’ve probably heard about the drastic rise in cyberattacks in 2020. Spurred partly by organizations’ need to transition employees to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberattacks have gotten more frequent and sophisticated. In fact, phishing attacks increased by almost 700% in 2020. Beyond attacks utilizing technology, we are seeing increases in all types of fraud. In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, Mike Vesel talks to Marc Courey, Director of Forensic & Litigation Services at Wipfli and a specialist in fraud and forensic investigations, about how fraud has changed and adapted since the start of the pandemic. They discuss: · Types of internal and external fraud · What fraud trends Marc has seen during the pandemic · What steps a financial institution should take if they suspect fraud Listen now to learn how you can help protect your institution from fraud and mitigate your risk.
The financial institutions industry is struggling with digital transformation. Those who have failed in their attempts to engage a digital transformation strategy have largely done so due to integration challenges. But digital transformation will be critical to future success and better serving clients’ needs. In this episode of the Bank on Wipfli podcast, Mike Vessel talks to Lisa Nicholas, a Director at Wipfli who specializes in digital transformation and marketing for the financial services industry. Throughout the podcast, they explore: · When is an organization “ready” for a digital transformation? How do they get started? · What does the digital transformation journey look like? · What does an organization need to consider during their digital transformation? Listen now to learn how you can start laying your institution’s foundation for digital transformation.
Private banks and smaller SEC companies will have to adopt CECL in the coming years, so it can be helpful to look at how CECL has impacted financial institutions so far. In this episode of the Bank on Wipfli podcast, we dive into: What challenges CECL and its implementation have brought forward What smaller institutions can do to prepare for their adoption date What methodologies should be used depending on loan type, and what patterns we have seen What the range of impacts have been to the allowance upon adoption Wipfli Senior Manager John Erwin says, “Avoiding surprises or having earlier discussions will save a lot of headaches ... It’s very hard to overprepare even if you feel like you are.” Click here to learn more about CECL, its requirements and how you can get started. And don’t forget to download or listen to the podcast.
Have the recent changes in the banking industry impacted the efficiency of what financial institutions do? In this episode of the Bank on Wipfli podcast, Mike Vesel and Danielle Heidemann explore: Which areas financial institutions have seen process or procedure changes and how those may have impacted efficiency What financial institutions have learned about customer behavior and preference changes and how those can impact efficiency By creating greater efficiencies now, financial institutions can create the capacity to grow in the future without necessarily having to hire more employees. At the same time, if you do need to add additional people, new efficiencies in technology means you may have a wider talent pool to hire from. Learn how to create efficiencies in your bank. Download or listen to the podcast today.
In our latest episode of the Bank on Wipfli podcast, we answer the question, “How has COVID-19 affected how people are compensated and what compensation issues are we seeing today?” Financial institutions want to keep their thumb on the pulse of what’s happening with compensation. That’s why we invited Julia Johnson, Director, Organizational Performance at Wipfli, to speak about how the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), lending volumes, and other factors have impacted employee compensation. She and Mike Vesel, Partner at Wipfli, also discuss the results of Wipfli’s annual Community Bank Executive and Board Compensation Survey. Learn how to keep executive compensation in line with the market. Download or listen to the podcast today.
Cryptocurrency has been a hot topic for pretty much the last decade. Although it continues to rise in popularity, financial institutions haven’t been quick to embrace it. But change seems to be on the horizon. In July, the OCC released an interpretive letter authorizing financial institutions to provide cryptocurrency custody services for their customers. Join us for this latest episode of the Bank on Wipfli podcast as we ask the question, “Will financial institutions see the benefits of cryptocurrency and other digital assets?” Our guest this episode is Wipfli Manager Andrew Belz, who provides advisory services to financial institutions, with a specialization in blockchain and cryptocurrency. Andrew talks with Wipfli Partner Mike Vesel about the current state of financial institutions and cryptocurrency, plus what they see coming in the future.
Our latest episode dives into a topic that has harbored both mystery and a dark stigma – the Dark Web. Mike Vesel brings Mark Scholl to the discussion, a Wipfli Principal who specializes in IT topics and has several certifications including “Certified Ethical Hacker.” Sharing their knowledge and experience, Mike and Mark explore the Dark Web’s history and present-day being as well as discuss how to protect themselves and institutions from the criminal threats that exist within. Listen now to learn more about what the Dark Web truly is, why it is stigmatized and the potential impact it might have on your institution.
Our latest episode dives into management’s and the board of director’s roles in relation to enterprise risk management (ERM) – as well as the impact ERM may have on your organization. Mike Vesel discusses the current topic with ERM specialist Karen Mitchell. Sharing their knowledge and experience, Mike and Karen explore what today’s organizations are attempting to accomplish with ERM and how implementing a strategy can benefit them as a whole. Listen now to learn more about where ERM lies in today’s current state, what is involved during implementation and what your board and management may need to know during the process.
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