Rethinking the risks of self-employment
I’ve seen banks with niche loan offerings emerge before, and I’m certain they will again. And I, as a self-employed writer and online creator, am on high alert for that to happen. [Continue]
Print Issue: 2024 - June Edition
Bridging the agriculture financing gap
Donna Swanson, a vice president and area manager based out of Story City, Iowa, spoke to BankBeat about how ARM helps ag bankers solve the problem. [Continue]
The rent vs. buy debate in the current housing market
After renting throughout my 20s, my thoughts have turned increasingly to homeownership as I begin my 30s. [Continue]
The chatbot Golden Rule: Never tell a lie
If a community bank is considering adopting generative AI tools, especially ones capable of handling fairly complex customer interactions, it will have to make many choices about a digital helper and how it behaves. [Continue]
Experts predict M&A pace will pick up following slow ‘23
Following a slow year for mergers and acquisitions in 2023, community bankers face many of the same challenges that stifled activity last year. High interest rates, economic pessimism and regulatory uncertainty remain unabated. Yet industry experts expect the pace of M&A to rise this year. [Continue]