My dear mother, who is 92, took issue with a recent column by my esteemed colleague, Justin Dullum, in which he declared the death of the personal check. Of course, Justin is correct; the paper check is a much less common form of payment than it was years ago. But I think my mother is also correct: A lot of people still rely on checks. [Continue]
This spring the Ag Press has been filled with breathless articles about the future direction of commodity prices. “Wheat Hits 14-Year High!” and “How High Can Corn Prices Go?” are two of our favorites. The sad fact is that a war in Europe has historically led to record prices for U.S. commodities (see 1914 and 1939). [Continue]
Just as banks must adapt their strategic goals and operations to changes in local business conditions, the broader economy, and consumer preferences, governance must also evolve in order to effectively oversee management and protect the interests of shareholders. “Right now a lot of organizations are stepping back to look at their structure and asking: ‘How can we enhance or improve it?’” said Karen Grandstrand, head of the Bank and Finance Group for Fredrikson & Byron in Minneapolis, who counsels financial institutions on governance. [Continue]
Community and midmarket banks have typically maintained competitive advantages over large national banks with personalized service and strong community relationships. Yet, let’s face it. We live in a digital world where consumers demand online and mobile app options for commercial transactions — including banking — and a more personalized experience. [Continue]
Think of the most recent app you downloaded on your phone. When you opened the app for the first time, what was the experience? Could you easily figure out how to navigate and use the app or did you struggle? Now think about your bank’s online and mobile banking experiences, from account setup to reviewing transactions. Are they effortless? Or do users encounter friction? [Continue]
The past few years have seen the rise of “community manager” as a dedicated role within companies. An early 2022 search shows 135,000-plus available jobs with this title on LinkedIn alone. The role is part public relations, part customer cheerleader — and a good community manager authentically shows up, both online and in-person, as the “face” of the brand. [Continue]
It’s no surprise that, with continuing pandemic issues and concerns, many clients and prospects are avoiding our bank lobbies. And why not, with online access to almost everything? So how will your salespeople continue to build relationships and keep your best customers? During these times, they must be proficient at reaching out and communicating effectively and consistently. This is key for most banks to sustain and build relationships, grow loans and achieve higher net interest margins. [Continue]
In my neighborhood, trucks and vans from UPS, FedEx, Amazon, the United States Postal Service, and various grocers rumble past my door with increasing frequency. My husband and I had originally selected our townhouse community because it was set apart from highly-trafficked roads. It was secluded and quiet. These days, I feel like my home has been plopped into the middle of Richard Scarry’s “Busytown.” [Continue]
Sean Doherty, President of the Asset Management Group, Inc., at Country Club Bank in Kansas City, Mo., offers an update on CECL implementation and the preparation community banks need to undertake. [Continue]
Satisfaction with a product generally declines over time, whereas contentment with an experience generally grows over time. This observation, shared by presenter Jacob Morgan recently at the ABA National Conference for Community Bankers, resonates. While I might be ready for a new fishing pole every couple of years, that memory of the fish that got away gets to be a better story every time I tell it. [Continue]