Despite FTX debacle, crypto is here to stay
I’ve spent a bit of time in this space thinking about cryptocurrency and making an argument for why community banks should get involved in some way. Is it time for me to eat crow? [Continue]
Combine internal and external technical expertise
Community banks could take a mostly hands-off approach to IT … but should they? The key often lies in the amount of technical knowledge required and the availability of resources. [Continue]
Treat your digital transformation journey like a marathon
To be successful you need consistency day-in and day-out, rain or shine. Even on days when you feel like you failed or if conditions outside your control prevented your planned run. [Continue]
Video has entered the conversation
As community banks consider efficiency, increased customer satisfaction, and expanding their digital branch presence, video should be on the list. [Continue]
The latest in data analytics
When it comes to data, two things are certain. One is the old adage of “garbage in, garbage out” — if the data quality isn’t there, it’s useless. And the second is that you can have all the data in the world, but all of your efforts are wasted if you don’t do anything with the information. [Continue]
The persistence of covid tech (and why it’s a good thing)
Zoom and its equivalents will never completely go away. It’s too useful, and covid isn’t the only communicable illness one should avoid bringing into the office. [Continue]
Nimbleness, simplicity are key to digital banking and account opening
Audrey Song is a senior product marketing manager for Narmi, a fintech which recently announced a new partnership with the $904 million First Federal Bank of Kansas City. The bank is using Narmi to speed up its online account opening process. [Continue]
Four cybersecurity best practices for community banks
Malware and data breaches are the primary methods of cyberattack, and incident costs continue to rise. Targets for cybercriminals are chosen based on two conditions: Impact and profit. [Continue]
Increased risks from technology, fourth-party vendors
Most third-party vendors present little risk to the bank. It might be the vendor that mows the lawn at the branches or provides office supplies. It’s only the vendors that have access to or manage bank data that reach a higher risk threshold and thereby a higher level of vendor management and due diligence. [Continue]
Digital mortgage lending is now a competitive necessity
When it comes to adopting digital solutions, mortgage lending in particular seems to be playing catch-up compared to other industries. Some lenders have asked me if there is still a need for full-scale digitalization, now that the record levels of origination and forbearance activities of the past several years have somewhat dissipated. [Continue]