Rising Stars 2023: Tom Mews
First National Community Bank President Tom Mews sees his professional responsibilities as spanning far beyond the walls of his northwest Wisconsin bank. [Continue]
Writer: Sam Wilmes
Dueling stablecoin bills introduced
Passage of a stablecoin bill remains elusive as Republicans and Democrats introduce separate bills. [Continue]
Specialized lending is an underutilized — yet effective — strategy for community banks
Niche lending is an underutilized business strategy for community banks that requires patience, specialized expertise and mastery of the core tenets of banking, according to industry experts and market participants.
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Pushback continues on expanded SBA lending program
A bipartisan group of legislators called on the Small Business Administration to pause expanding its flagship 7(a) lending program. [Continue]
What banks need to know following Kentucky mass shooting
The April 10 shooting that killed five employees at an Old National Bank branch in Louisville, Ky., shocked banks across the country and raised difficult yet necessary questions of how to recognize the signs of a potential shooter. [Continue]
Pace of bank mergers slows in 2023
The pace of bank mergers and acquisitions in the United States slowed considerably during the first four months of this year, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The 28 deals announced through April 30 were less than half of the total announced over the same period last year. [Continue]
Iowa-based Lincoln Savings Bank uses measured approach to grow BaaS program
Iowa-based Lincoln Savings Bank’s banking-as-a-service program proves that community banks can successfully build fintech partnerships by properly scaling the offering and hiring experienced risk compliance executives. [Continue]
What recent failures mean for community banking
Community banking experts say the industry remains strong in the wake of the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. [Continue]
Iowa bank regulator: Due diligence crucial in wake of failures
The recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank highlight the importance of analyzing internal deposit concentrations and capital levels, according to Iowa Superintendent of Banking Jeff Plagge. [Continue]
Against the Current
The time was right.”
Brian Nicklason, president and CEO of Grand Rapids, Minn.-based Woodland Bank, knew that his growing bank needed more space. The $132 million bank had been operating for several years in a 5,000-square-foot building once occupied by a hotel and had always planned to move into a larger facility. [Continue]