Independent Banker podcast

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We’ve seen a lot of shifts and change this year—the continued uptick in check fraud, the election, credit union acquisitions, etc.—but we community bankers are as steadfast, scrappy and resilient as ever. In fact, we show no signs of slowing down. According to Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA president and CEO, we’ve had a very successful year for ICBA’s advocacy and grassroots efforts. Take the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Section 1033, for example, where ICBA helped secure an exemption for community banks under $850 million. “What this this exemption tells me is that we've been very effective and have been heard that the challenges for some of our smaller institutions when it comes to working, for example, with the corporate service providers and being able to provide these solutions with while not completely increasing the cost to do is an incredible challenge,” says Romero Rainey. “It's an example of what we've been able to achieve over the years.” ICBA’s pushback against Section 1033 is just the tip of the iceberg. In this episode, Romero Rainey and host Charles Potts reflect on 2024 advocacy and look ahead to the wins we are likely to see in 2025, thanks to the past year’s efforts. This episode is sponsored by FIS . Links Advocate for your industry by writing and speaking to your members of Congress. Check out our grassroots lobbying resources here . Want to dig into ICBA’s innovation pillar? Take a look at our cutting-edge webinars and solution providers, courtesy of ICBA Innovation . Be sure to read Independent Banker magazine’s monthly Checks & Balances column, where we cover the legislative and regulatory issues we see and fight every day.…

Independent Banker

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Episode 27: Why Fraudsters Love the Holidays — with Kausar Kenning 36:13

19 weeks ago36:13

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As the holidays approach, it’s time to stay even more vigilant against fraud. That’s because fraudsters are more likely to seek out vulnerable, lonely or busy people at the end of the year. How can community bankers get ahead of year-end fraud and raise awareness among consumers? “I think that's the responsibility of community banks,” says Kausar Kenning, global head of payment systems intelligence for VISA. “Make sure that you're taking all those safety precautions, make sure that you're being proactive in your effort, and you're helping to prevent it from before it even begins.” As Kenning points out, proactivity is key to fraud prevention. She and host Charles Potts talk about the latest scams, why fraud increases toward the end of the year, and how community banks can fight it. This episode is sponsored by FIS , VISA and ICBA Payments. Links ICBA Payments provides products and services to help mitigate fraud loss. Learn more about its Fraud Loss Protection Plan at icba.org/flpp ICBA offers a number of on-demand webinars highlighting fraud trends at icba.org/education/webinars Keep an eye out for Independent Banker magazine’s new column on fraud beginning in February. We’ll be covering fraud topics every other month. Learn about other bankers’ fraud experiences, straight from the source, on ICBA Community .…

Independent Banker

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Episode 26: Get Schooled on Banking — with Alexander Price and Stephanie Gambill 42:21

29 weeks ago42:21

42:21

If you’re looking to advance your career, you may be thinking, “Where do I start?” But options abound—you just have to know where to look. Alexander Price, CEO of Citizens State Bank in Ouray, Colo., pursued further education and career development at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, which is just one of the options available to bankers. “[School is] one of those things where you just have time, you have space, to think about things and to talk about things. It's worth its weight in gold,” Price says. “I would also say the Graduate School of Banking, its emphasis is in community banking, and that's the thing that I'm really passionate about now.” Price and Stephanie Gambill, VP of Grand Rapids State Bank in Grand Rapids, Minn., chat with host Charles Potts about their insights from banking school and other ways they’ve solidified their footing within the community banking industry. This episode is sponsored by FIS . Links Access ICBA’s own Professional Development Planner for educational resources. Check out Independent Banker magazine’s August 2024 article on professional development as an employment benefit. Get involved with ICBA Innovation through Innovation Bootcamp , a two-day webinar event detailing an effective four-phase approach to innovation. Ask and learn about other community bankers’ professional development journeys on ICBA Community .…

Independent Banker

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Episode 25: Why is Check Fraud Such a Problem Right Now? — with Scott Anchin and David Long 42:31

39 weeks ago42:31

42:31

Check fraud isn’t new, but it has re-emerged as an appealing way for fraudsters to target community banks and their customers. That’s why ICBA has brought check fraud to the forefront of its conversation with its members, to discuss the ways they can band together to solve this issue. “The one advantage that we have—which is a really, really strong advantage—is that we have an incredibly dedicated and engaged membership of folks who are working on the frontlines of check fraud, and who understand the problem, and who are ready to really roll up their sleeves and dive in and tackle the challenge head on,” says Scott Anchin, VP, operational risk and payments policy at ICBA. Anchin and David Long, Bryant Bank’s executive vice president, correspondent banking/capital markets, join host Charles Potts to showcase the efforts of bankers and ICBA alike and why ICBA’s new check fraud guide can help fight this alarming epidemic. This episode is sponsored by FIS . Links ICBA members can browse our check fraud guide at icba.org and join the new fraud subgroup on ICBA Community at community.icba.org Check out Independent Banker ’s January and June 2024 articles on check fraud mitigation tips. Watch the recording of ICBA’s recent ThinkTECH Solutions Forum on fraud as well as on-demand webinars on check fraud and Treasury check fraud . Access ICBA’s Solutions Directory to identify payments, compliance, and security service providers dedicated to community banks, including ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program alums.…

Independent Banker

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Episode 24: How Fintechs Can Elevate Community Banks — with Saroop Bharwani and Allan Rayson 41:07

44 weeks ago41:07

41:07

As technology and customer expectations change, fintechs must adapt and pivot to meet the needs of the community banks they work with. Whatever community banks are looking for—streamlining data collection, cutting down operation costs, etc.—there should be a fintech stepping up to provide a solution. But that means they must know exactly what the community bank customer desires. “The majority of the conversations that I am having on this topic is a function of helping that fintech founder connect the products, which are usually amazing, to real, tangible, deep balance sheet and P&L and outcomes,” says Allan Rayson, founder and CEO of Finov8r Consulting. So what do those fintechs need to know or adjust to serve the industry? Rayson and Saroop Bharwani, CEO and founder of Senso.ai, join Charles Potts to discuss how fintechs can accelerate community banks’ digital transformation. This episode is sponsored by FIS .…

Independent Banker

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Episode 23: ICBA LIVE: Where Community is Built — with Lindsay LaNore and Brad Bolton 28:57

1 year ago28:57

28:57

Whenever you hear stories from people who have been to ICBA LIVE for the first time, they're just blown away from the atmosphere, from the camaraderie, from that one mission focus … It just makes such an impression that you will never be the same once you come to this event,” says Brad Bolton, former ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Community Spirit Bank in Red Bay, Ala. In March 2024, Orlando plays host to thousands of community bankers looking forward to connecting, learning and pushing the industry forward. Bolton and Lindsay LaNore, ICBA’s senior executive vice president, chief learning and experience officer, join Charles Potts to talk about their experiences at ICBA LIVE and some advice for new and returning attendees. This episode is sponsored by FIS .…

Independent Banker

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Episode 22: Fintech Trends For 2024 — with Dharmesh Mistry 42:39

1 year ago42:39

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Technology is ever advancing, and it’s critical for community bankers to stay ahead of it. According to Dharmesh Mistry of FinTech Futures, a media platform dedicated to global banking and the fintech industry, three of those trends are generative AI, faster payments and the cloud. “2024 can continue to be a transformative year for community banks. Cloud is a way to pursue that to drive down some of the costs, create some more efficiencies,” Mistry says. “It’s not just about pure expense reduction and revenue growth but creating more efficient operations, and I think that's a very interesting and important trend that we should definitely all pay attention to in 2024.” Mistry joins Charles Potts to look at the fintech trends of 2023 and what community banks need to pay attention to as we enter 2024. This episode is sponsored by FIS . The November issue of Independent Banker provides insight on the strides made in AI and other need-to-know technology.…

Independent Banker

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Episode 21: Connect With Your Fellow Community Bankers — with Leah Brink 30:23

1 year ago30:23

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Connection is at the heart of what community bankers do. That’s one of the reasons that the social networking platform ICBA Community was created. And it’s not only creating online connections, it’s helping bankers build relationships with each other outside of the forum. “It's been helpful right now just to have others that you can go to and really connect with,” says Leah Brink, marketing and training director of BankStar Financial and co-lead of ICBA Community’s marketing group. “I've seen examples to where people are reaching out to each other through the through the app, but then they're probably taking some of their conversations offline and direct. And that's, to me, the essence of a good networking group.” This episode, Charles Potts and Brink discuss the positive impact ICBA Community has fostered and how community bankers can make the most out of the platform. This episode is sponsored by FIS . ICBA Community already has over 1,700 members and continues to grow. Join the conversation today. Check out the November issue of Independent Banker for more information on what ICBA Community can help you accomplis…

Independent Banker

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Episode 20: Why Cybercrime is on the Rise — with James Anderson and Robert Johnston 44:19

1 year ago44:19

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With hundreds of millions of cyberattacks happening each year, it’s critical for community banks to fortify their cybersecurity operations. While it may be tempting to go after the hottest new cyber protections, it’s important not to forget the basics, says Adlumin Inc.’s CEO, Robert Johnston. “If you get the blocking and tackling done correctly, 85% of threats you can take off the table,” he says. “Get that right and you will save yourself a lot of pain from just brilliance in the basics.” It can be daunting to figure out how to best keep your cybersecurity defenses strong, but partnering with a fintech can remove some of the heavy lifting and grant your bank and its customers extra protection and peace of mind. Johnson and James Anderson, VP, information technology manager of Kitsap Bank in Port Orchard, Washington, talk to host Charles Potts about the cyberthreats community banks should look out for and how to prevent and mitigate them. Independent Banker podcast is sponsored by FIS and this episode is sponsored by Adlumin Inc. The October issue of Independent Banker features tips and guidance on what you need to know about cybersecurity today. Partnering with a fintech can help your community bank optimize its cybersecurity operations and practices. ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator is a great place to start.…

Independent Banker

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Episode 19: How to Use AI at Your Community Bank — with Jackie Verkuyl and Slaven Bilac 40:33

1 year ago40:33

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AI technology is growing exponentially. While it can bring many advantages to community banks, some bankers may have concerns about possible security issues. So, why take the risk if your bank is performing well? BAC Community Bank in Stockton, Calif., which worked AI-specialist fintech Agent IQ, was able to develop a thorough understanding of the technology and create better systems that benefited both staff and customers. “We weren't really trying to solve a problem,” says Jackie Verkuyl, EVP/CFO of BAC Community Bank. “But it gave us this opportunity—that we could have better communication, a better tool, a better process for working with our existing customers.” Dipping your toe into using new AI tools at your community bank can be daunting. But as AI technology develops, so do opportunities for banks to use it to help their staff and customers. Verkuyl and Agent IQ’s CEO and president, Slaven Bilac, speak with Charles Potts about how they work together and what new developments in AI mean for community banks. This episode is sponsored by FIS…

Independent Banker

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Episode 18: How to Budget for Innovation — with Alice Frazier and Kim Snyder 50:36

2 years ago50:36

50:36

“I think when you’re looking to buy any kind of a product, a data product,” says Kim Snyder, CEO of the fintech KlariVis, “you need to make sure that the vendor that you’re purchasing it from understands your industry and understands how that technology is going to be utilized in your industry.” Finding the right fintech for your community bank takes time, but Snyder and Alice Frazier, president and CEO of Bank of Charles Town, worked to create a partnership that has proved invaluable for both parties. Our two guests join Charles Potts to talk about the importance of budgeting for innovation, tips for doing so, and why innovation doesn’t always mean technology. This episode is sponsored by FIS. Links: You can see how three CFOs are planning innovation for their community banks in the August issue of Independent Banker . ICBA’s ThinkTECH Accelerator can help you find and connect with fintechs to utilize new technology within your own community bank.…

Independent Banker

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Episode 17: What it Takes to Be a Top Lender — with Chris Benjamin, Mike Rizzo and Dan Schopp 39:49

2 years ago39:49

39:49

“You can go anywhere and get a loan,” says Dan Schopp, president and CEO of First Security Bank in Mackinaw, Ill. “I always say we don't want to be an ATM— just dollar dispensers. The biggest challenge is showing your customer, what value am I adding to you or your operation?” Every year, Independent Banker ranks the top community bank loan producers of the year, and in this episode we’re lucky to have representatives of three winners with us. Schopp is joined by Mike Rizzo, senior vice president, chief banking officer of Five Star Bank in Roseville, Calif.; and Chris Benjamin, senior vice president at Community Bank Delaware in Lewes, Del. The three community bankers join host Charles Potts to talk technology, relationship building and—yes—the weather. This episode is sponsored by FIS . You can hear more from Chris, Mike, Dan and our other Top Lenders in the July issue of Independent Banker, at independentbanker.org . ICBA’s ThinTECH Accelerator is a great program to get involved with if you’re looking to boost your community bank’s lending capabilities.…

Independent Banker

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Episode 16: A Bank Culture That Works — with Ann Buckmiller, Carolyn Watson and Lindsay LaNore 40:54

2 years ago40:54

40:54

2“I just think it's so important to have that overall [compliance] culture at the bank, because then people are also more open and willing to come to you and say, ‘Hey, I have a crazy idea. Do you think this can work?’” Ann Buckmiller, director of compliance at Reliabank Dakota in South Dakota, says she has worked hard to integrate compliance throughout her community bank by building personal connections and leading with innovation. She and her fellow Independent Banker 40 Under 40 winner, Carolyn Watson, marketing officer at Ambler Savings Bank in Pennsylvania, talk to ICBA’s Lindsay LaNore and host Charles Potts about what they look for in a workplace culture and why community banking has turned into a dream career for them. This episode is sponsored by FIS .…

Independent Banker

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Episode 15: A Look Inside a Top-Performing Bank — with Sushil Patel of State Bank 34:05

2 years ago34:05

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“We're not just seeking growth to grow and to reach a certain asset size, or reach a certain profit dollar amount. We're going to stick to our lending philosophy … and let it come as it may.” For State Bank of Texas, says president Sushil Patel, blind growth just isn’t in its business plan. In this episode, Patel tells host Charles Potts why this immigrant-founded community bank has thrived by cornering the hospitality lending market and capitalizing on its leaders’ and board members’ own experience in the hotel industry. Something’s clearly working: State Bank of Texas was recently named Independent Banker’s #1 Best Performing Bank in its asset class, based on return on assets. This episode is sponsored by FIS .…

Independent Banker

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Episode 14: The SVB Fallout: An Opportunity for Community Banks to Shine? — with Rebeca Romero Rainey and Derek Williams 38:47

2 years ago38:47