Features

Duty of Care: Community banks step up amid child care shortage

While the pandemic significantly impacted all industries, many have clawed their way back even as inflation, labor shortages and supply chain constraints continue. Child care has been a slightly different story, with a crucial industry failing to rebound since 2020 put it in freefall. [Continue]

Missouri community banker brings hustle to role as 2022-23 ABA chair

Dan Robb photo

Accurately describing the career of Missouri community banker Dan Robb requires understanding the mindset shared by successful visionaries across all industries: An extraordinary work ethic, the foresight to accept opportunities others turn down, and the intelligence to decipher patterns that many fail to see.   [Continue]

Wisconsin bankers chart a course for success at Nicolet’s helm

Intent on reinvigorating a strong community banking culture in northern Wisconsin, Bob Atwell and Mike Daniels left one of the state’s largest banks to start Nicolet Bankshares in November of 2000. With nearly $9 billion in assets, Nicolet is now the second-largest banking organization based in the state, behind their former employer, Associated Bank. [Continue]

BankBeat’s top 5 stories of 2022

2022 was an eventful year for community bankers. Worsening economic conditions marked by rising interest rates and high inflation continued to raise recessionary fears even as the country continued to emerge from the depths of the pandemic. [Continue]

Fintech tool marries personalization, financial wellness

Finotta is a new fintech operating out of Overland Park, Kan. BankBeat spoke with Parker Graham, founder and CEO, and Kelsey Houghton, chief product officer, about their “gamified” approach to financial wellness. Q: The mobile banking app space has gotten pretty crowded. How does Finotta find a place in the mix? Parker Graham: As the … Read more

Central Payments spins off from KC community bank

Sioux Falls-based Central Payments recently completed a $30 million growth equity raise, splitting off from the $350 million Central Bank of Kansas City and positioning itself for additional investments in technology, products and staffing in a burgeoning industry.  Central Payments founder and President Trent Sorbe said the investors were a good fit with his organization … Read more