Hiring & Retention

More than money needed to attract talent

Recruiters say a complicating facet of attracting and retaining key bank employees is a surplus of retirement-age bankers and the deficit of college graduates entering the industry. Stuart Kazor at Omaha, Neb.-based financial recruiting firm Adams Inc., noted other industries or roles, especially fintechs and IT positions, are more lucrative. [Continue]

Find talent beyond your pre-pandemic scope

Businesses across the country have reported that they are struggling to hire, and the banking industry is certainly not immune. In what has been dubbed “The Great Resignation,” this has become a reflection of the shifting priorities of employees.  In a survey by CreditKarma, 41 percent of U.S. workers are considering leaving their current job within the next six months. The current pressure that banks are feeling to hire may be only the tip of the iceberg between not being able to fill open roles and the potential that existing employees may leave.  [Continue]

Who’s the best person to coach your winning team?

To succeed in business, one must be competitive, nimble and always on the lookout for the Next Big Thing. It’s no different in banking, especially as the pandemic increased people’s use and acceptance of digital tools. What does that mean for today’s managers? More pointedly, perhaps I should ask: What does that mean for tomorrow’s managers? [Continue]

Foster trust in order to delegate successfully

When you’re on vacation, are your coworkers or direct reports frequently contacting you for solutions to normal work issues? The good news is that you are in the driver’s seat when it comes to empowering your team to make decisions in your absence. [Continue]

Recognize what women want, and need, to succeed

We can attest to how the banking industry has developed and supported the women in its ranks. The industry’s commitment to helping women succeed is being put to the test as we approach 2021. I encourage everyone to think and act boldly to consider what changes you can make to policies or expectations so that we all continue to celebrate and support the talented women at your bank. [Continue]

Project struggles are real, and can be overcome

I am leading up a SharePoint project that includes several department heads within the bank. Most on the team work very well together and are hitting their deadlines but I am struggling with one department head. He consistently misses meetings and has not met one deadline. How do I handle this when he doesn’t report to me?  [Continue]

Pandemic impacts bank internships

While banks kept work flowing in early spring through social distancing measures and remote workforces, they had to make quick decisions about another key program without knowing when the COVID-19 crisis would end or how bad it would get. Should they bring on board their interns? Or did the ever-changing nature of the crisis make that idea too complicated and risky? [Continue]

Telework in 2020: Manage and engage remote employees

Normally, community banks rely on face-to-face interactions, but COVID-19 forced many community banks to adapt to the telework concept. Telework necessitates additional levels of oversight and concern, since changing the work environment can lead people to change their work behaviors. [Continue]