Opinion

Can banks cash in on Employee Retention Credit?

When the CARES Act was signed into law in March of 2020, it introduced the Employee Retention Credit as an alternative to employers who didn’t meet the criteria for a PPP loan. It provides a 50 percent credit on qualified wages of an eligible employer. Guidance has evolved since the ERC was first released, offering an opportunity for some banks to qualify.  [Continue]

The language of gratitude wields great power

Many of you operate family-owned banks. How might personal notes of gratitude play into prospecting for new business? Imagine a young couple in town who recently closed on a mortgage receiving an email from your president reflecting on the excitement he or she felt when they had closed on their first home. Could such a personal note offer a word of caution borne of experience? Imagine the impact of such a personalized communication from a new friend at the bank. [Continue]

Today’s money laundering problem is bigger than we think

Most public comments and reporting following the FinCen leaks focused on whether the government will crack down on banks over money-laundering. But blaming banks misses a bigger point. Do our systems actually permanently put us in a position of playing catch up? Is the way we do automation today deeply flawed? I think it is. Automation actually needs machine learning or it can make problems it’s meant to fix worse. And maybe it’s more than most banks can take on at the same time after all. [Continue]

Where is the industry headed in 2021?

Rows of soy plants in a field

From weather disasters and a pandemic to an increased use of technology that is helping farmers control their own destinies, ag bankers in central states experienced a lot in 2020. Now they look ahead to what 2021 holds, expecting more of the same challenges and uncertainty. [Continue]

Low commodity prices continue to haunt ag

The year began with some optimism on grain prices and improved trade conditions with China, Canada, Mexico and other countries. Then COVID-19 hit in March and everything changed. Commodity prices for crops and livestock dropped rapidly; ag banking experts from across the region weigh in on the local impact. [Continue]

Define your target market to stretch your marketing budget

Many bank marketers went into 2020 with flat year-over-year budgets but were expected to produce greater results than in years past. Then the pandemic came, pushing the need for digital transformation to the forefront and compelling executives to reallocate marketing budgets to support critical digital enhancements. [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]

Weather, mental health complicate agriculture

With pressure already exerted by years of low commodity prices, trade uncertainties and pandemic complications, farmers and ranchers in the central states faced a year of difficulties in 2020. Weather varied across the region, and Iowa notably endured the effects of a derecho storm in August that caused billions in damage.  [Continue]

Pandemic affecting credit card payments

CardX, a Chicago-based company that passes the fee for credit card transactions on to consumers and away from merchants, considers itself both a fintech and a regtech. Michael Tomko, chief operations officer, explained how redirecting this fee helps small businesses and their banking partners.  [Continue]