Fitech Forum

The fight to save community banking is real and it's necessary. Whether you're a bank looking for data, seeking ideas on how to harness technology, struggling to move forward into the future or just wanting a safe & confidential space to collaborate with other community bankers, Bankers Helping Bankers is here to help. In this episode Matthew Smith, Director of Innovation Initiatives at IBAT will share more about this up-and-coming resource and how best to utilize their services to fit your needs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-e-smith-488a975e/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bankers-helping-bankers/

Digital innovation, what is it? By definition, it's the practice of implementing modern digital technology to solve business problems by optimizing processes, improving customer experiences, & delivering new business models. What does this mean for our banks? To compete in today's environment, it's imperative to look towards the future at services & solutions that will enhance your current offerings by harnessing the power of other companies who are experts in those fields & can help you execute strategies. Tyler & Chris have done just that, take a listen to their shared experiences. Tyler Sisneros Century Bank Chris Davis RiverBank

It's no secret that nonprofit organizations are fully dependent on fundraising & charitable giving. As Bridget Daly, of GiveCentral, shares, gone are the days of gifting by check. While COVID may have thrown a wrench in gifting briefly, new & improved ways of receiving donations have surfaced. Ease of giving & use of a sophisticated system are paramount as donors want to feel a one-stop-shop experience. As a financial institution who serves these nonprofits, both as customers and as donors, it's important to have access to affordable & flexible options that will benefit these organizations. Bridget Daly GiveCentral Fitech

Community banking & community involvement tend to go hand-in-hand. But for Becky Goldberg, she takes being involved in her community to the next level. The passion Becky has for supporting local businesses and truly being part of her community is a reflection of having positive role models and strong mentorships. This is just one of the many reasons why we love our community banks & appreciate all of the time & effort they put into championing for their communities and allowing & encouraging their employees to get involved & BE local. Becky Goldberg Horizon Community Bank Fitech

Small businesses everywhere are looking for avenues that will make running their companies easy. As a financial institution, why are you allowing non-bank competitors to serve the needs of your customers? In Episode 10, Derik Sutton shares his experience helping institutions meet their customers where there are by offering a solution that their business customers not only need but makes life easier for them. Listen in to discover how your institution can better assist small businesses with resources like integrated payments and embedded banking all while protecting & growing those valued relationships & attracting new ones. Derik Sutton Autobooks Fitech

Strategic planning is something every bank should be doing on an annual basis, but according to our guest in Episode 9, Bert Purdy, it shouldn’t just be about the numbers. A community bank's mission is to help their customer's dreams come true. Part of how they achieve that is by having a strong company culture with a clear vision that starts at the top & flows throughout the entire team. Profit is not a purpose, it’s a result. By empowering your employees, giving them a voice, and getting them to buy into the ‘why’, the more successful a strong strategic plan will be. Bert Purdy Fitech Simon Sinek – Start with Why

Partnership. An overused term these days? Sometimes, maybe. But to Gordon Roberts & Southside Bank, they trust and rely on a true vendor partnership. Join us in Episode 8 as Gordon discusses what partnership means to him and the bank and why it’s so important. It’s more than just a contract. It’s having a relationship with an industry expert, knowledgeable in their field, up-to-date on market trends & technology, a company who can bring solutions and flexibility to the table, and most importantly, a company whose core values align with those of the bank. Community banking is unique and requires non-cookie cutter solutions and the ability to color outside the lines. Southside Bank Fitech

Work-life balance is not a new concept and something that many of us likely struggle with. If you, or someone you know, has struggled with the added stress of working from home, home-schooling your children, or feeling overworked in today’s environment, you’ll certainly want to join us for this timely & informative podcast.  Too often we are looking for ways to do more and be more, but the key is to be more of who you really are, not who others expect you to be. In Episode 7, Life Coach Denise Purdy will share advice on how to be more present & focused with less stress and how to gain a feeling of peace & happiness in your daily routine.   Denise Purdy Fitech Insight Timer

Financial literacy is such an important topic and one that many community banks offer to their communities in some fashion. For Lucas Sawyer and Worthington National Bank, this started with a simple ask to have a booth at a local community college workshop and has grown into part of a full financial education class offering.   Join us in Episode 6 as we learn more about the evolution of Lucas’ involvement & creation of Tarrant County College’s financial literacy session and how you may want to consider starting your own program or partnering with a local organization.   Tarrant County College Worthington National Bank Fitech

Community involvement is just one of the many areas where community banks and their employees shine. Our guests Susana Salamun & Brook Sims are outstanding examples of servant leadership & volunteerism from the heart all while being fully supported by their banks. Listen in as they each share some of the organizations they’re involved in, what their bank's philosophy is on community involvement, and noteworthy advice on how to shape a program of your own. You may also find out more, or even make a donation, through the links provided to each of the programs mentioned in this episode.   Child and Migrant Services; Palisade, Colorado  Latino Community Foundation of Colorado   English in Action; Carbondale, Colorado  Midwest Foodbank – Texas Division Rainbow Days Texas Women’s Foundation – Village Giving Circle Alpine Bank First United Bank Fitech

Marketing campaigns and brand building can seem like an insurmountable task to tackle for community banks. But it doesn’t have to be. Join us in Episode 4 as LinkedBanker and WSI’s Eric Cook shares tips & advice for anyone looking to start a new marketing plan or even boost their bank's existing strategy. Eric will also share his latest venture into creating The LinkedBanker and the benefits & resources available for community bankers to share & learn in a peer environment. Key Links & Resources: https://www.thelinkedbanker.com  https://www.poweredbywsi.com https://linkedin.com/in/ericcookmba www.fitech.com

Episode 3 takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the rapidly changing payments landscape. The last 10 years has experienced a variety of changes; from the majority of payments being taken by retail shops or restaurants in a face-to-face environment, evolving into accepting cards over the phone and online. And now as Covid hit this year, the technology and needs for businesses & individuals alike has instantaneously forced us into a contactless world. Join us as Matt and Bridget take us on this journey through the payments industry, share stories, and review the many resources and solutions out there today. This episode is ideal for any community bank team member or business owners & employees wanting to learn more about payments & the resources & technology available. www.fitech.com 

Continuing from our discussions with IBAT in Episode 1, this podcast episode shares insights, advice, and stories on how best to make an impact on the financial services industry and the individual bankers in those communities.  Creating a culture of self-accountability and servant leadership by participating in PAC drives, immersing ourselves in the communities we serve, and ensuring that every new partnership is handled in a unique way has become the Fitech culture. Listen in as we return with Shawn & Bridget from Fitech and Christopher, Curt & Julie from IBAT who reveal lessons learned along the way and how to be the best partner you can be by taking a listen-first approach, being flexible and meeting the community bank where they are to create an alignment best for both parties. www.ibat.org www.fitech.com 

In our introductory episode of The Fitech Forum, we will discuss the origins of Fitech and the importance of being aligned with community banks and the state associations that support those community banks and their communities.  Fitech’s story began with Shawn Dillon and Bridget Dowdle who lead the charge into serving community banks and supporting them with a strong payments technology program.  Part of that beginning includes what is now a prosperous relationship with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). Christopher Williston, Curt Nelson and Julie Courtney will share their stories through this journey and how they have participated in helping to shape the company that Fitech is today.  This interactive discussion will traverse through the importance of associations and what they do to support the banking community & how vendors and partners can do the same, the significance of an association endorsement, and the various ways to get involved in order to support the banking community. www.ibat.org www.fitech.com