BankBeat

04/24/2025

"After years of working solely in the world of fintechs and software startups, my transition to working with community banks has been eye-opening," writes Carey Ransom, managing director at BankTech Ventures.

By embracing transparency, diversification, innovation, and a customer-centric approach, community banks can actually become stronger and more integral to the U.S. financial system. [Continue]

04/18/2025

"It’s not a matter of ability," said Neil Stanley, CEO and co-founder of The CorePoint. "Banks can offer more withdrawal options. Depositors are waiting for banks that will."

What would happen to investor demand in the bond market if U.S. Treasuries were subject to early withdrawal penalties similar to bank certificates of deposit? [Continue]

04/17/2025

There has been much focus recently on shrinking the size of, and increasing the efficiency of, the federal workforce. USDA will not be immune from these painful discussions.

There has been much focus recently on shrinking the size of, and increasing the efficiency of, the federal workforce. USDA will not be immune from these painful discussions. [Continue]

04/16/2025

“Ultimately, if we can help connect the dots so that more senior women in banking can provide mentorship and sponsorship to younger women, that would be a wonderful thing, and help solve that pipeline problem,” said Jennifer Docherty, chair and co-founder of Bank on Women

Diversity, equity and inclusion is all over the news. One of the first moves by the Trump administration was to dismantle DEI initiatives throughout government. [Continue]

04/14/2025

With a membership of 50 banks, and room to grow that number by less than two dozen, Alexis Baxley, president of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota since last July, believes there still exists a need for community bank specific representation.

With a membership of 50 banks, and room to grow that number by less than two dozen, Alexis Baxley, president of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota since last July, believes there still exists a need for community bank specific representation. [Continue]

04/10/2025

"At least until the midterms, banking industry advocates have a better chance than ever to reshape the applicable tax policy," said BankBeat Publisher and President Tom Bengtson.

At least until the midterms, banking industry advocates have a better chance than ever to reshape the applicable tax policy. [Continue]

04/08/2025

It’s a reality that many financial institutions are starting to face: The digital checking account boom is not as profitable as it might seem.

It’s a reality that many financial institutions are starting to face: The digital checking account boom is not as profitable as it might seem. [Continue]

04/07/2025

Attracting and retaining small and medium-sized business customers for community banks is as competitive as it’s ever been, if not more so.

Attracting and retaining small and medium-sized business customers for community banks is as competitive as it’s ever been, if not more so. [Continue]

04/04/2025

"Government efficiency is a noble goal — but we don’t have to drastically cut the CDFI Fund to achieve it," wrote Kelly Brown, chair and CEO of Milwaukee-based financial services firm Ampersand, Inc.

On March 14, President Trump signed an executive order directing the CDFI Fund (and six other government programs) to reduce their operations to the minimum needed to perform their statutory duties. [Continue]

04/03/2025

Jack Hopkins knew the time was right. Hopkins, president and CEO of CorTrust Bank in Mitchell, S.D., had been asked a decade ago if he wanted to chair the Independent Community Bankers of America.

With his children now grown, Jack Hopkins sees the current environment as ideal to continue his family’s legacy of advocating for the industry. [Continue]

04/01/2025

Tradition Capital Bank of Wayzata, Minn., has expanded its support for a golf-themed charity event to Arizona to boost the community as well as its business.

Tradition Capital Bank of Wayzata, Minn., has expanded its support for a golf-themed charity event to Arizona to boost the community as well as its business. [Continue]

04/01/2025

Banks headquartered in the Upper Midwest with Arizona branches say their presence is bringing immediate financial benefits. They view the Arizona market as a way to serve a booming population while showcasing their brands to existing and prospective customers alike.

Banks headquartered in the Upper Midwest with Arizona branches say their presence is bringing immediate financial benefits. They view the Arizona market as a way to serve a booming population while showcasing their brands to existing and prospective customers alike. [Continue]

03/27/2025

“It will be up to bankers to drive the agenda,” Eugene Ludwig told a packed ballroom at the Acquire or Be Acquired seminar. “Congress and the agencies won’t do this on their own.”

“It will be up to bankers to drive the agenda,” Eugene Ludwig told a packed ballroom at the Acquire or Be Acquired seminar. “Congress and the agencies won’t do this on their own.” [Continue]

03/24/2025

Jack Hillstrom is the unofficial historian for Premier Banks, Maplewood, Minn., and Premier Bank Minnesota, Hastings. The 88-year-old director recently commemorated 72 years in the banking industry, and 50 years with the Premier Banks organization.

Jack Hillstrom is the unofficial historian for Premier Bank, Maplewood, Minn., and Premier Bank Minnesota, Hastings. The 88-year-old director recently commemorated 72 years in the banking industry, and 50 years with the Premier Banks organization. [Continue]

03/21/2025

BankBeat is accepting nominations for our annual Rising Stars in Banking honors. Submissions for the July magazine will be accepted through May 8. Send nominations to Tom Bengtson at [email protected], or use physical mail: BankBeat, NFR Communications, 250 Prairie Center Drive, Suite 300, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344.

03/20/2025

"Loyalty programs are proliferating among banks as they compete to retain customers and gain wallet share," said Beth McCoy, president of RewardOps. "While these programs are a relatively recent development of the digital banking age, there’s much to be learned from other industries that have been mastering this space for decades — particularly the airline industry."

Loyalty programs are proliferating among banks as they compete to retain customers and gain wallet share. [Continue]

03/17/2025

Brad Basse is a member of the board of directors at Big Horn Federal Savings Bank in Greybull, Wyo. Basse is also much more: A 30-year owner of local family business JadeCo Electric; a former county commissioner, and someone who has played a major role in attracting new businesses and driving economic growth.

Brad Basse is a member of the board of directors at Big Horn Federal Savings Bank in Greybull, Wyo. Basse is also much more. [Continue]

03/13/2025

Peter Nelson is fired up about community banking. And, he recently began a new mission to fan that flame. The former president of Glenwood State Bank in Glenwood, Minn., joined the ICBA on Feb. 10 as senior executive vice president of member engagement.

Peter Nelson is fired up about community banking. [Continue]