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, 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...

In this episode, Chris Nichols and DJ Seeterlin explore what banks can learn from Trader Joe’s approach to strategy, focusing on clear customer segments, intentional trade-offs, and delivering value over price. They discuss how aligning products, people, and experiences around a defined audience can help banks stand out, and how these same principles apply to...

In this episode, Chris Nichols is joined by Samer Saab of Alloy Labs to explore the growing tension between a traditional “debt mindset” and a more forward-looking “equity mindset” in banking. While banks are built to minimize risk and protect principal, that same instinct can limit innovation, partnerships, and long-term growth. Samer shares practical ways...

In this episode, Chris Nichols sits down with Jack Henry’s Lee Wetherington to unpack the biggest strategic shifts facing community banks today. From deposit pressures and the rise of small business banking to the growing importance of data strategy and payments, the conversation highlights how banks must rethink their approach to growth. The discussion makes...