If there is one battlefield in banking that a commercial bank needs to win to profitably grow, it is treasury management functionality. Because treasury management is tied to deposit balances, fees and retention, getting this product right is critical to capture high balance and profitable customers. In this article we review current customer expectations and...

In banking, complex problems often have many moving parts: regulatory change, technology shifts, customer behaviors, competitive dynamics, pricing pressures. It’s tempting to jump into solutioning the primary visible symptoms (e.g., “our margins are shrinking”) and assume you’ve solved the issue. But what if you’ve only tackled the tip of the iceberg? When it comes to...

We often talk about “frictionless banking,” making it easy for the customer to open an account or add deposit balances. However, as banks design future products, they should consider taking into account the “Ikea Effect” to help increase customer lifetime value. In this article, we explain what the Ikea Effect is and how to apply...

If managing loan pricing is a college-level course, deposit pricing is a master’s. Given the complexity, managing analyzed checking, however, is a PhD. level effort. There are all the dynamics of traditional accounts plus often two different interest rates, the ability to offset fees, and a variety of adjustments. We covered the basics of account...

In this episode, Tom Fitzgerald sits down with economist Joseph Keating to discuss the economic outlook amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, evolving Federal Reserve policy, and rapid investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The conversation provides an essential and timely look at the key economic forces shaping the remainder of 2026 and the path into 2027. Register...

Today we sit down with Scott Cocanougher, CEO of First Community Bank in Shelbyville, Tennessee and Randy Goggans, founder of the company BankerBounty. Together we discuss the keys to creating change inside your organization and how to create an effective referral program. Click Here to Book a Free Strategy Call. The views, information, or opinions...

In this episode of The Community Bank Podcast, Caleb Stevens sits down with attorney Mark Kanaly to explore the fundamentals of effective strategic planning for community banks. They discuss how strong leadership, clear alignment, and thoughtful preparation can turn strategy from a one-time exercise into a living, actionable roadmap. Mark shares practical insights on fostering collaboration,...

In this episode, Chris Nichols and Caleb Stevens sit down with Brennan Perkins, a recent Citadel graduate, to explore how early leadership experiences translate into a career in banking. From learning how to be an effective follower to leading peers under pressure, Brennan shares key lessons on servant leadership, attention to detail, and building influence...