The future is an invitation to think in an entirely new way, commented Mike Walsh, a futurist who made a dramatic presentation Feb 27 at the National Conference for Community Bankers hosted by the American Bankers Association in Honolulu. Walsh encouraged bankers to “Think big, think new, think quick,” as he declared, “The future is now.” [Continue]
Net income for the nation’s community banks dropped 14.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, to $4.1 billion, down $681 million from fourth quarter 2016. A reduction in corporate tax rates under the new tax law prompted one-time write-downs on deferred tax assets, which contributed to a $1.8 billion increase in income tax expense compared with the same period last year, according to the FDIC. [Continue]
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services placed the Ukrainian Future Credit Union, Warren, Mich., into conservatorship and appointed the National Credit Union Administration as conservator on Feb. 23. [Continue]
Bankers cut the ceremonial red and Ben Franklin-studded ribbon at the grand opening of Blackhawk Bank’s Janesville, Wis., location late January. Janesville’s Economic Director declared the day “Blackhawk Bank Day,” honoring the bank’s ongoing commitment to the community. [Continue]
It’s not often that bank and credit union executives break bread together. One might question whether it’s even a good idea to put them in the same room. But come together they did, more than forty of them along with a dozen representatives of the vendor community, for the February kickoff of United Financials Making a Difference. [Continue]
Oregon Community Bank, Oregon, Wis., announced Feb. 17 its plans to merge with Grand Marsh State Bank, Grand Marsh, Wis. When the merger is complete, Grand Marsh State Bank, with two locations operating roughly an one hour’s drive north of Madison, will be renamed Adams Community Bank. [Continue]
First National Bank of Omaha, Neb., announced Feb. 22 it will no longer issue an NRA branded Visa card. The company declined to say when its contract with the NRA expired, but said it would not renew its licensing agreement at that time. “Customer feedback has caused us to review our relationship with the NRA. … Read more
Glacier Bancorp, Inc., Kalispell, Mont., announced the completion of its acquisition of Collegiate Peaks Bank, Buena Vista, Colo. Doing business with five locations in the Mountain and Front Range communities of Colorado, the $533 million Collegiate Peaks Bank will operate as a separate banking division under the name Collegiate Peaks Bank, a division of Glacier Bank, with its existing management team. Collegiate is Glacier’s 15th banking division. [Continue]
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc., holding company for the fast-growing Bridgewater Bank in Bloomington, Minn., announced Feb. 16 it is going public. It has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of shares of its common stock. [Continue]
Journalists are going to find their way to your bank someday whether you want them to or not; therefore it is in your best interests to develop a media strategy that plays to your advantage. This was the argument made by Patrick Dix, vice president of public relations for SHAZAM, in a webinar focused on media communications strategies for bankers. [Continue]