Every commercial lender knows the feeling.  The bank took the hardest risk on a project – the construction phase. The bank managed the draws, monitored the budget, inspected the site, and shepherded the borrower through permitting delays and cost overruns.  Then, just as the project stabilizes and the loan finally becomes easy to hold, the...

As more prospective customers turn to AI for search, banks must ensure they appear in AI-generated results. To identify best practices, we analyzed top-performing banks and reverse-engineered their tactics, then distilled the findings into a practical primer and checklist for bank executives, product managers, and line-of-business leaders to use in conversations with their marketing teams....

We were recently collaborating with a community banker who was trying to win a relationship client from a regional bank. The issue was that the incumbent bank was pricing this client at a credit spread of 1.25% over SOFR and our client banker was told that his bank would not accept less than 2.40% credit...

Want to make better decisions and be a better leader? Understanding system thinking is a great unlock. Last week (HERE), we discussed the importance of system thinking and described the four main types of systems (below) that bankers need to recognize before solving a challenge. In this article, we provide a framework for managing problem...

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...