Main Street Banking: A Podcast for Community Bankers

C.J. Tate and I connected a while back and just had some really interesting conversations around career advancement in community banking and the role of education. He made some great points about how it's a two-way street and the role of culture AND the role of the greener banker's attitude towards learning more. He's dead on right.... His story is really cool and I don't want to spoil it so, take a listen! Many thanks to ICBA Securities for their continued sponsorship!

Scale Link is a really cool CDFI that offers a secondary market for small business microloans and trading platform. Their CEO, Jonathan Brereton, stopped by the show to have a chat...and y'all know what a fan we are of CDFI's on Main St. Banking. Love meeting other true believers out there!!! Be sure to check out Scale Link at https://scalelink.org/ And many thanks to ICBA Securities for their sponsorship!

Wrapping up our discussion with Eric and Brett this week. If you missed last week's, be sure you go back and check that out. Otherwise, you just landed right in the middle of a conversation and it probably doesn't make much sense! Thanks to ICBA Securities for their continued sponsorship.

One of the most important (and yet least discussed) relationships in the bank is the CEO/CFO relationship. When it works...it REALLY works but when it doesn't....it REALLY doesn't. It represents banking, in so many ways, in that these two positions have vastly different perspectives yet must work together. However, I think you'll find in this episode (and next week's Part 2) that there are more similarities than you may have realized. Many thanks to Eric Alexander and Brett McDowell (CEO of Victory Bank in TX) for taking the time to sit down and chat. Also, thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities for their continued support.

With all the news and shake-ups we've seen over the last few days...I wanted to bring on Jim Reber to help banks understand what's going on.

Growing as a leader in a bank can be hard. Where do you even start? What does that even look like in practical terms? Eric Alexander with Six Arrows Consulting is a frequent guest of the show because these are questions we like to discuss! Be sure to check him out at https://sixarrowsconsulting.com/ as well as on LinkedIn And many thanks to ICBA Securities for their sponsorship. Check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Many thanks to Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities, for continuing to sponsor the show as well as come on each quarter to shed light on economic news. I know it's a big help to all of us here and to many of you as well. Be sure to register for the webinar he mentions at the end on Enterprise Risk Management. Jeff Rigsby is a great speaker and it'll be worth your time. You can register at https://stifel.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rg2hVHJHTWexHS8Jri1wTA#/registration

I was glad to bring back Tim Dively to discuss data and AI. Tim does a great job of cutting through buzzwords and help banks understand these very weighty topics. In this episode, we discussed more organizational change management than you'd expect on an AI podcast episode but I think you'll see the importance of understanding where to start with AI but also how to implement the change. Great conversation!

The CRA has always been of interest to me. There's a lot of good that's come from it but recent changes have made the implementation of the law rather murky. Today, we sat down with David Lenoir, Pres/CEO of ICBA CRA Solutions and Steffani Jenkins, CRA Liaison, to discuss the foreseeable future of the law and also how important the law is to community banking in general. To learn more about them, check out: https://www.icba.org/cra Also thank you to ICBA Securities for their ongoing support! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

We've done quite a bit of content over the last few years about ideas to use the space we have in out banks. I think it's a fascinating discussion because the ideas are wide ranging and have a HUGE amount of opportunity. I met Alaa and got to know Maptician's work and I like the way he approaches this topic...managing leases. I thought it spoke to bankers and the way he frames the discussion around flex time/hybrid/wfh is interesting. Be sure to check Maptician at https://www.maptician.com/ or email alaa at alaa.pasha@maptician.com And as always, many thanks to ICBA Securities for their continued sponsorship.

It's been a long week this week with a ton of economic news....and you know us, when there's a news cycle like this, we bring on Jim Reber from ICBA Securities to give us a good comprehensive overview of what's going on. In the episode, he mentioned the webinar next week on Bank Strategy from Stifel. Register for that at https://stifel.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AxI4Bj-BRR62NjbUfxrneQ#/registration And to learn more about ICBA Securities, check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

There's an age-old question in bank management that I've heard all the nearly 25 years I've been in the business. How do we get more business referrals from our employees? And the next question is going to be something like..."why didn't this incentive plan work?!" If that situation sounds familiar (and I'm betting it does because, ya know...it's banking) then you might want to check out the episode today because a possible solution is amazingly simple. Be sure to check out BankerBounty at https://www.bankerbounty.com/ And many thanks to ICBA Securities for their continued sponsorship! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

December 18, 2024 the Fed made an announcement that many people did not see coming. So, whenever the Fed does something, we bring on Jim Reber to digest it for us and explain it to the community banking industry. Be sure to check out ICBA Securities at www.icba.org/icba-securities

It's always fun to sit down with Jimmy Sawyers and look back at his predictions for the most recent year. We've done this since the very beginning of the podcast and it's been great every time. Today's episode is predictions 6-10 that he made for 2024...and let's see how he did! Check out Sawyers and Jacobs at sawyersjacobs.com/ And also many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities: www.icba.org/icba-securities

It's always fun to sit down with Jimmy Sawyers and look back at his predictions for the most recent year. We've done this since the very beginning of the podcast and it's been great every time. Today's episode is predictions 1-5 that he made for 2024...and let's see how he did! Check out Sawyers and Jacobs at https://sawyersjacobs.com/ And also many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities: https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

That time of the year when we take a look back with our friends at Gerrish Smith Tuck and what they've seen are some of the issues we've faced this past year and what's coming ahead. To learn more about Gerrish Smith Tuck, check out https://gerrish.com/ And many thanks to ICBA Securities for their continued support.

Well, Barret has a BIG announcement and it's one we've been working on for right at a year-and-a-half. I don't know when I've been more excited to be make an episode!! Barret has entered partnership with The Banque, a new banking simulation centered around teaching the players actual banking! We've worked with Dave Sidon during the last year or so and have been absolutely amazed at, not just the software, but the usability...approachability...how much bankers enjoy it and actually learn from it! Needless to say, we're excited and you'll be hearing MUCH more about The Banque and Barret's partnership in the future. Do go and check out The Banque's site to learn more about them at https://thebanque.net/ and many thanks to ICBA Securities for their continued support! (https://www.icba.org/icba-securities)

Well, it's been a slightly busy week and a half hasn't it!? Only a little bit of news that has market impact, right? Seriously, there's been quite a few things moving in the markets and whenever there's news you can use...we bring in Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities to help us get our arms around the material. Be sure to check out ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities Be sure to sign up for ICBA Live in Nashville this coming March https://www.icba.org/events/icba-live/registration

This is sort of a part 2 to the last time we had Eric on discussing collaboration. As you can tell, I love talking to Eric and his insights from his career are always insightful and inspiring to me as I hope they are to you. I love this idea of accountability. It takes a lot of work and a lot of pride swallowing sometimes but that's the point in a way. Asking yourself do you believe enough in yourself, your team, the mission to own a mistake. It's easy to own the wins...there's no shortage of people claiming a piece of a win but it gets awfully quiet when numbers or results don't quite hit the target. Be sure to check out Eric on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-alexander-58b3005a/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Whenever there's economic news that matters to community banks, why not turn to the experts. Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities, is on today to summarize and contextualize today's economic news. To learn more about the Balance Sheet Academy referenced in the show, check out https://www.icba.org/events/details/2024/10/28/icba-securities/balance-sheet-academy

Eric Alexander with Six Arrows Consulting is back to talk about collaboration in banking. This will be, likely, a two-part series on tearing down those infernal silos we have in banking. Long time listeners will know that the "silo-ing" in banking is one of my biggest pet peeves and Eric's approach to team building, collaboration, and culture from within the financial area of the bank (not often associated with such terms!!!) is why I really value his input. You maaaaaay also notice a little different intro on this episode! Eric is another musical banker and he had previously recorded his arrangement of the old hymn "Fairest Lord Jesus". So, in the interest of collaborating with fellow musical bankers, I thought I would share his work. Finally, in the episode, Eric issues a challenge to you...first, you have to listen for it, but email your responses to me at byron@barretbanking.org and let's see what happens when we ask those question! Be sure to follow Eric on LinkedIn and check out his site at https://sixarrowsconsulting.com/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities: https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

You go to a convention or you see a brand new shiny product on LinkedIn and it sounds great. But do you need it? Truth is...I can't really answer that for you. You make that call. But the question DOES arise...how do you know if you need it? How do you even know what data can do to figure out if it's even something that strategically works for you. It's a question that Tim Dively with CliftonLarsonAllen and I have batted around several times over the past few weeks and I wanted to get him on the podcast and help us wade through those waters. Be sure you check out their digital services at https://godigital.claconnect.com/ And don't forget to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

We're continuing our theme around banking with a purpose...what does community involvement really look like? What are some cool stories from community banks that are affecting real change in their local communities? Danny Kelly is the CEO of Hometown Bank in Oneonta, AL. You may remember him from a previous Main Street Banking episode and their really cool use of YouTube. Well, being a subscriber, I came across a video about their community partnerships and the projects that they are working on. It's really powerful stuff. You can watch the video here https://youtu.be/74wWWFsQxXA?si=aHMfReSVZHYz7XAD And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securites, which you can learn more about here https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Sharon Anderson is the CEO/President of Williamstown Bank in Williamstown WV. In February of 2020, they implemented a community-driven coffee business similar to what you have seen on this podcast before and, to date, have nearly raised $50,000 that goes directly to charities in the local community. As someone who has watched this from Memphis, it is truly one of those "feel good" stories...but more than that (and to borrow Williamstown Bank's marketing) it's what banking can be. If you'd like to read more about The Giving Cup, check out https://www.williamstownbank.com/services/the-giving-cup/ And always, thank you to our sponsor, ICBA Securities: https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Well...it's been an interesting couple of weeks in the markets and in the interest rate world. We've just gotten some job data and whenever there is news in these arenas...we bring in Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities, to shed some light on the confusion and explain what's going on. Be sure to check out https://www.icba.org/icba-securities to learn more about their Virtual Bond School that Jim mentions in the show.

BSA and AML...often the least engaging material in banking education but it doesn't always need to be nor should it be ignored. Justin Fischer is the CEO of RiskScout and doing some amazing work in the BSA/AML field with new and innovative ways to make this important area approachable and useful. Check them out at https://www.riskscout.com/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, which you can find athttps://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Shamim Okolloh is the VP for Community Outreach or Encore Bank in Little Rock...a second year student at the Barret Graduate School of Banking...and now a co-writer of an extremely important book in our industry. And it's a book she's co-written with her favorite co-writer...her son! It's a book inspiring kids (and particularly girls of color) to become commercial bankers! And it has opened up some amazing opportunities for discussions about banking, financial literacy, banking as a career...it's just awesome! Go check out the book at https://www.ellathebanker.com/ And, as always, many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, for helping us present this type of content! Check them out at...https://icba.org/icba-securities

Does leading meetings or meeting with clients or writing reports/memos fill you with anxiety or has it ever done so? I'll admit it...it does me! You can't help how things like that bother you BUT you can change how you deal with it. And to have someone with Justin's resume and experience sharing some of his "tips and tricks" that he teaches at the Barret Graduate School of Banking...well...it let's us know that we're not alone. Be sure to follow Justin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-muscolino/ JTM Compliance Training at: https://jtmcompliancetraining.com/ And many thanks to our sponsors, ICBA Securities! Check them out at https://icbasecurities.com/

I'm always been fascinated with how banks manage through core conversions. Having lived through 2 myself...I get the frustrations. I've LIVED the frustrations! However, there's a good bit of talk around the differing communication requirements needed for each generation...and today's workforce has 4 generations intermingled together. All with different communication needs...all with different points of views...and if we were to throw a core conversion on top of that?!?!?! Siobhan Byron is EVP of Universal Banking at Finastra and she has seen the good, the bad, and ugly in this area over the years. She made some great points in our conversation that speak directly to the core conversion but, really, apply to so. much. more. in banking regarding ANY big decision we make. To learn more about Finastra, check out https://www.finastra.com/ And don't forget about our sponsors, ICBA Securities, at https://icbasecurities.com/

When the numbers come out, we bring on Jim Reber (CEO of ICBA Securities) to explain them and put them in context. With the new CPI number out today...we did just that. Apologies for sounding like a chain smoking toad...sinus season in Memphis! And be sure to check out ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Our final annual tradition is the "Very Barret New Year" episode where we get together and talk about the past year and what's on the horizon for the following year. Of course, when you get the three of us together...who knows what'll turn up. That's why we love working together! So...Happy Holidays to you and yours from all of us at the Barret School of Banking and ICBA Securities

In part 2, we pick up with part 7 in our conversation with Jimmy. One of the longest running traditions on the podcast is our year in review with Jimmy Sawyers of Sawyers and Jacobs. Jimmy is an industry leader in cybersecurity and banking technology and each year he puts out a Top 10 Trends around this time of the year. So, what we like to do here is take his 2023 list and look backwards and see how the trends developed over the year. Check out Sawyers and Jacobs at https://sawyersjacobs.com/ And thank you to our sponsor, ICBA Securities! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

One of the longest running traditions on the podcast is our year in review with Jimmy Sawyers of Sawyers and Jacobs. Jimmy is an industry leader in cybersecurity and banking technology and each year he puts out a Top 10 Trends around this time of the year. So, what we like to do here is take his 2023 list and look backwards and see how the trends developed over the year. Check out Sawyers and Jacobs at https://sawyersjacobs.com/ And thank you to our sponsor, ICBA Securities! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Walk off those extra turkey calories with Chris and Byron talking about music and food. It may surprise you that we don't spend every waking minute talking about banking. I know...shocking. But, we thought you'd like to hear what a typical Chris and Byron conversation sounds like...on two of our favorite topics. Just sit back and laugh along with us...enjoy our hot takes...criticize our opinions...we're ok with all of that! Don't forget to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities, and thank them for letting us put out even this kind of content for the community banking industry. https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Banks need deposits...banks raise deposit prices...or banks go to capital markets...bank down the street does the same thing...margins get thinner and thinner... Sound familiar? So, let's break out of that rut and rethink this idea of marginal cost of funds as well as the value of our franchises and incorporating an idea called "lifetime value of accounts". Honestly, it's the best long-term option community banks have in an environment like this. Neil Stanley is the CEO and Founder of The CorePoint. Check them out at https://thecorepoint.com/ And many thanks to ICBA Securities for their sponsorship and support. Check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

We have several end of the year traditions at Main Street Banking and taking a look back at the year with Gerrish Smith Tuck, PLC is one of them. Greyson Tuck is President of Gerrish Smith Tuck PLC and Gerrish Smith Tuck Consultants LLC located here in Memphis. They do extensive traveling, consulting, and teaching with community banks all over the country and have their fingers firmly implanted on the pulse of the industry. To get in touch with Greyson and/or to register for the publications mentioned on the podcast (and you should if you're not!) email him at gtuck@gerrish.com To learn more about the Board Chair Forum, visit https://barretbanking.org/landings/community-banking-board-chair-forum/ Finally, many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, for their support of our mission here! Visit them at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

When there's economic news you can use for community banks, we bring Jim Reber to help explain. Jim is the CEO of ICBA Securities here in Memphis and one of the top subject matter experts in this area for community banks. Many thanks to him and ICBA Securities for the sponsorship of the show and willingness to help the community banking industry! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

For about 20 years, we have done a GAP Assessment where students are surveying the communication (by extension, then, the bank's culture). It's a look at the communication culture of the entire bank from multiple different angles and perspectives. It's always a fascinating look at banks to see where these gaps exist. And that's what led us to this. Over these nearly 20 years, we've had great insights into a good sample of community banks' cultures. We thought it was a good idea to share what we're seeing from this perspective with you all in hopes that you'll find some benefit. To read the white paper, https://barretbanking.ac-page.com/gaps-in-communication-whitepaper-2023 And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Continuing yesterday's conversation around stewardship and banking. If you haven't heard part 1, be sure to go check that out.

Stewardship is a word that we don't use often in the banking world...and that's a shame. While many of us come from a faith tradition that brings a particular set of ideas along with the word, there are some very pertinent points that apply so specifically to banking that I think it wise to discuss them here. For me, this conversation (and those leading up to recording) really sharpened the focus of what it is we do. Eric Alexander has a long career in banking and recently started Six Arrows Consulting. You'll be hearing and seeing more from Eric over the coming months in our programming and I thought this was also a good place to introduce him to the Barret family. To learn more about Eric and Six Arrows, check out https://sixarrowsconsulting.com/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities for their continued support! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

So, the bank president gets hit by a bus...what happens? What about the CFO? Or the Compliance Officer? Is that a different story? With apologies to our friends in executive management (I swear, we're not trying to bump you off!), a large part of culture and engagement that we are missing is succession planning...and by that I mean more than what the regulators make us do. Stephen Ingalls is the Pres/CEO of Team Catalyzer that specializes in these types of discussions with community banks and has worked with community banks across the country. He brings a perspective to this conversation that I had not considered before and I hope you feel the same. Check out Team Catalyzer at https://teamcatalyzer.com/ and you can email Stephen at ingalls@teamcatalyzer.com As always, many thanks to our sponsors at ICBA Securities and be sure to check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Thanks for coming back for part 2. If you missed part 1, please go back and listen so you'll be caught up! We talk a lot about engagement and culture and things like that. For some, it's an odd concept to get our minds around. Numbers people like...numbers. So, let's look at some. Each year, Cross Financial has done an engagement survey that specifically targets community bank employees and finds out where the needs are. Check out the results on the show page check out Cross Financial at www.crossfinancial.com/ Finally, may thanks to ICBA Securities for their sponsorship. Check them out at www.icba.org/icba-securities

We talk a lot about engagement and culture and things like that. For some, it's an odd concept to get our minds around. Numbers people like...numbers. So, let's look at some. Each year, Cross Financial has done an engagement survey that specifically targets community bank employees and finds out where the needs are. Check out the results on the show page check out Cross Financial at https://www.crossfinancial.com/ Finally, may thanks to ICBA Securities for their sponsorship. Check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Whenever there's news community bankers can use regarding the goings-on in the markets...Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities is who you need to know. We bring him on the show to fill us in on what is going on regarding our investment portfolios and offer insights into how community banks are effected. Be sure to check out ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

We're continuing yesterday's conversation with Shamim Okolloh, VP Community Outreach Officer for Central Arkansas at Encore Bank. If you haven't heard yesterday's episode, go back and listen because you are, literally, jumping into the middle of a great conversation. Finding a place to split this up was tough. What I found so interesting about today's piece was Shamim's bringing back the community needs to the bank. Armed with the banking knowledge, she goes out into the world to reach those that many of us can't reach as easily and helps them get "lender ready". I love that phrase! I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed recording. If you'd like to reach out to Shamim at shamim.okolloh@bankencore.net And a special thanks to ICBA Securities for the sponsorship. Be sure to check them out at www.icba.org/icba-securities

Shamim Okolloh is VP Community Outreach Officer for Central Arkansas at Encore Bank. She is also a first year graduate school student here at Barret. During grad week, she and I had an awesome conversation about her role in bridging the gap between minorities/underbanked/unbanked communities. It was one of those conversations that you kick yourself for not having a mic ready to roll. So...I brought her back for the podcast so that we could all benefit from her perspective. If you'd like to reach out to Shamim at shamim.okolloh@bankencore.net And a special thanks to ICBA Securities for the sponsorship. Be sure to check them out at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Jack Hubbard is, in my opinion, one of the reasons to be on LinkedIn. His content is one of the best I know in the industry and he's one of my go-to's in terms of banking content I need for my job. He also just schooled me on what I'm doing wrong on LinkedIn in this episode...LOL! And I think he'll do the same for you. Using LinkedIn as part of your sales process is a concept that, I think, we don't think about near enough. Today, Jack shows us the 8 mistakes he sees bankers make with LinkedIn...and how to fix them. Make sure you follow Jack and the Modern Banker on LinkedIn and many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities for their support.

I know it's been a minute since I followed up with the ChatGPT episode but I still wanted to talk about it since more news and insights have come out around AI. Needless to say too...it's been an interesting month around banking and it's time we have a serious chat about that. Don't forget to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

We'll get back to the ChatGPT pt 2 episode...but...because we are in the middle of our Commercial Lending Academy this week, I wanted to bring on Michael Fielding again from Husch Blackwell. Michael's been a frequent guest on the show and always has some really cool takes on distressed loans in ways that you may not have considered. I always enjoy having him on. Well, today, he's put together a quiz of some commercial lending situations that you may/may not have encountered...but good nonetheless. Test your knowledge!! Have to admit...I would've failed miserably! Be sure to check out Husch Blackwell at https://www.huschblackwell.com/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

So, I decided to unleash Skynet and have AI write a podcast script. Here's the prompt I used to generate the script entirely as it is presented in the show: "Write a 2000 word podcast script about the importance of community banks emphasizing the benefits banks provide to low to moderate income communities. Begin the podcast with "Hey everyone! Welcome back to the Main Street Banking podcast" and end the podcast with a disclaimer that this has been written by AI. The target audience is bankers in these communities." 30 seconds later I had the script you hear on this episode. Now...was it good? Was it bad? Did it sound like a normal MSB podcast? That's what we'll talk about next week on the show as well as on the show's LinkedIn page during the next several days. Whether we like it or not...scared of it or not...embrace it or not...this tech is here and I don't think it's going anywhere. So, let's talk about it. Please make sure to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

I know...that title is just jumping off the phone/tablet begging you to listen...because ratio analysis is just what you want to hear on a podcast. But...there are some trends in the $300MM to $1B group of banks that I think are interesting and probably worth discussing. Also, we're talking about trends...there's very few numbers here. I promise. If you do want to look at some numbers, go to the showpage and you can pull the "Average Bank"'s ratio chart. https://barretbanking.org/msbpodcasts/looking-at-some-5-year-ratio-trends-for-community-banks-and-not-put-you-to-sleep-in-the-process/