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- 2 Whitepapers
- 1 Podcasts
- 1 Webinars
- 477 BID Newsletters
business customers
Whitepapers
Cross-border payments are changing and business owners expect to transfer money quickly. Swift GPI allows community financial institutions to meet their customers’ needs and generate additional fee income for their institution.
Recognizing the increasing importance of global transactions, this paper provides six strategies and actionable takeaways to help nurture the international growth of your small business customers.
Podcasts
It's always a good time to focus on keeping your customers happy and loyal. In this episode of Banking Out Loud, we discuss ways to increase customer loyalty and offer 3 tips to get started and also key mistakes to avoid.
Webinars
Are you currently providing international services for your customers? The global market is growing and with small businesses making up 97% of all exporters, your customers will be growing too. Knowing how to support your business customers will deepen long-term customer relationships with an enhanced suite of services.
As small businesses rapidly adopt AI to stay competitive, CFIs must evolve too — integrating AI tools to meet rising expectations for speed, insight, and personalized financial guidance.
As online commerce continues expanding for small businesses, so does the revenue potential for CFIs that process foreign transactions. We provide strategies to educate your SMB customers about going international.
Over 40% of business owners consider themselves financially illiterate. CFIs have an important role to play in boosting financial literacy among their business customers. By providing educational resources, expert advice, and financial tools, they can support business customers in building more sustainable businesses while also strengthening their relationships.
Women are launching businesses at a more aggressive rate than men, yet lending disparities continue to favor men as entrepreneurs. With women-owned businesses representing $2.7T in revenue, CFIs should be actively targeting this group.
When we think about credit card rates and perks, we tend to think of retail consumers, but credit cards are a vital tool for small businesses as well. We review the benefits of business credit cards and how those benefits can be used to entice businesses to apply.
Around 35% of SMBs are considering changing banking relationships. Before you court them, your acquisition strategy should consider their reasons for switching and ensure you don’t repeat the mistakes of their previous financial institution.
The SBA’s recently launched Made in America Manufacturing Initiative aims to boost business and hiring among US small manufacturers. We detail how the initiative can help your small manufacturing customers access capital.
As many small business owners near retirement, they’re likely pondering their business’ next chapter. We discuss common options for business owners, succession planning necessities, and your CFI’s role.
As tariffs and potential tariffs alter international trade and supply chain costs, small businesses are bracing for impact. We discuss how to help SMBs weather these higher costs with long-term planning.
CFIs are facing deposit pressure — but raising rates isn’t the only option. We highlight five creative, cost-efficient strategies to attract and retain deposits by leveraging relationships, digital tools, and community ties.
Commercial deposits are gaining ground again. We outline five practical, relationship-based strategies to help CFIs strengthen their business deposit base, without over-relying on rate to stay competitive.
As many small and mid-sized businesses embrace technology and globalization to expand their businesses online, trade finance has become increasingly important. We discuss the opportunity for CFIs to cater to these customers.
More CFIs are turning to niche markets like HOAs, area professionals, and small businesses to build deeper relationships and corner local markets amid economic uncertainty.
Restaurants can have slim profit margins and short lifespans, but they’re often important parts of communities and CFI lending portfolios. We explain how CFIs can be smart lenders to restaurant owners.
Give commercial customers a central place to connect with all their financial matters and you may improve the odds of becoming their primary bank.
Understanding what small businesses like and dislike about CFIs can help focus efforts at landing new ones. Here are some observations and tips for CFIs.
Gen Z are more drawn to entrepreneurship than previous cohorts. We outline why and provide tips for CFIs to attract and empower these young business owners with services that match their values.
Buy Now, Pay Later options are gaining traction among small businesses as they seek flexible financing solutions to fuel growth and recover from economic challenges.
CFIs have connections with lots of service providers likes lawyers and accountants. By leveraging that base of expertise, CFIs can connect SMB and commercial customers to the services they need.
Checking accounts are a common entry point for new banking relationships, and personal checking accounts can offer great incentives. Here’s how retail checking features can inspire features for business checking.
Offering insurance services could provide CFIs with opportunities to diversify revenues and strengthen relationships. We look at the challenges and approaches and list some examples of CFIs already in this space.
Positive pay can help you flag fraudulent checks before funds are issued, yet adoption rates are just 29%. We discuss the benefits of positive pay and how to increase its usage.
Open banking continues to reshape financial services for businesses and nonprofits. Here’s how to help business clients leverage open banking solutions as a compliance deadline approaches.
Compliance under Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act will likely pose the biggest burdens on the smallest institutions subject to the new rule. While there are still efforts to block it, the compliance deadline is quickly approaching. We delve into what you should know to start compliance efforts before the regulations take effect.
Higher interest rates and the cost burden they impose are driving a cycle of deleveraging and cash conservation at many companies. Small business owners are balancing the need to offset higher interest expenses and lessened credit availability while also addressing competing demands for strategic growth. We provide tips for how CFIs can help their business customers align their capital with their strategic plans.
When it comes to pricing deposits and loans in a competitive market, CFIs must correctly strike a delicate balance between each customer’s needs and their own profitability. Relationship pricing, based on customer profitability, can play a critical role in determining the best loan structure and deposit rates to maximize a customer’s lifetime value to your CFI. We provide insights on what factors to consider as you price products based on customer relationships, as well as the impact of adopting relationship pricing on your institution.
The gig economy is a fast-growing sector that CFIs cannot afford to ignore. We discuss some of the primary ways in which institutions can ensure they meet the needs of these self-employed customers.
Providing added value for business customers can be as simple as sharing existing resources within your organization such as conference room space or wi-fi. We discuss some options of nontraditional benefits you can provide to help your small business customers.
Small business customers have no shortage of financial service options, from traditional banks to fintech offerings. Fostering loyalty among this group not only requires providing them with added value, but with the sense that your CFI understands their individual businesses and their unique needs.
The right payment platform can create substantial opportunities for a CFI — and a CFI can use what it learns from finding the right payment platform to help business clients do the same. We discuss the factors a CFI should consider when selecting a payments platform.
Taking a more hands-on approach to educating organizations within your community on securing funding — even when it is from outside avenues, such as federal grants — can help CFIs strengthen ties to their communities and foster goodwill that can pay off down the road.
We talk about the need for CFIs to have a quality digital onboarding process. But what exactly makes an onboarding process convenient, and how does it impact the overall customer experience? We explain the qualities a CFI needs in its onboarding process to compete successfully for new customers and keep existing ones.
Taylor Swift’s popularity extends well beyond her Eras Tour, with her fans providing a boost to businesses that don’t even have a direct connection to the tour. The benefit to small businesses could also spill over to their community bankers.
In response to inflation, higher interest rates, regulatory capital increases and declining demand, some banks have pulled back on lending for equipment leasing and financing. That’s created opportunities in equipment finance and leasing for interested CFIs.
For small business customers, waiting for payments can take a while — often at least 30 days. Checks and invoices get lost or go to spam folders and vendors charge fees to transfer funds. Doing more to remove these pain points can help strengthen existing relationships and allow your small business clients to have better cash management. We discuss ways to help small business customers get paid quickly and easily.
CFIs looking to grow their business may want to focus on the growing needs of small- and medium-sized businesses that are also looking to scale. We spotlight three financial institutions that are doing just that.
The banking subscription model is gaining traction. We discuss some of the benefits of a subscription service for both CFIs and their business customers and suggest ways in which to ensure a successful implementation.
As interest rates remain high, the battle for healthy deposits continues. We look at what else CFIs can do for their consumer and commercial customers, aside from chasing high rates, to attract and retain deposits.
Increasing business ownership among minority groups results in greater opportunities for wealth, productivity, and job creation within their communities. We explore ways you can better support these businesses.
Small businesses are struggling to access capital, despite strong demand. The SBA just launched the Working Capital Pilot Program, in the hopes of bridging the gap.
As traditional lenders scale back lending to small- and medium-sized businesses, private credit is facing a boon of activity. We discuss why some large banks are investing in private credit.
Top CFI lenders actively help their small business customers and borrowers navigate headwinds. We explore successful lending strategies from several CFIs and highlight the importance of giving business customers advice.
BAI surveyed 600 small business owners to find out their banking preferences and what they want most from their financial institutions. Take these insights to heart to attract and retain more of them.
The US education sector is expected to grow steadily by 2028. We look at opportunities for CFIs to target this sector and provide examples from CFIs already serving this market.
Small business owners may be warming to digital banking, but for the foreseeable future, they still want branches and a banker they can trust.
BAI recently hosted a webinar featuring insights on current trends and projections for small business deposit growth. We look at some of the key information from the webinar.
As baby boomers age, they will pass their assets to their heirs. CFIs want to inherit those professional relationships. We discuss best practices for nurturing relationships with the next generation.
SMB lending fraud is on the rise. We discuss recent survey results on trends and provide steps CFIs can take to help keep this type of fraud in check.
Tax season is a time when CFIs can build and deepen relationships with customers by understanding their needs and matching them with the right guidance and financing.
Seasonal winter businesses have unique risks. We discuss CFIs’ opportunities to support them with personalized advice and tailored banking services.
Following tradition, we're taking a look back at your favorite articles from this year as we BID adieu to 2024. In one of our final articles in this series, we reflect on the financial services small businesses value. BAI surveyed 600 small business owners to find out their banking preferences and what they want most from their financial institutions. Take these insights to heart to attract and retain more of them.
The FDIC’s 2024 Small Business Lending Survey reaffirms the importance of relationship-driven lending for CFIs.
Struggling small businesses are increasingly turning to credit cards to help pay operating costs. CFIs can help by offering debt counseling and innovative small business lending products. We discuss strategies.
As the payments space rapidly evolves, CFIs have a significant opportunity to strengthen their relationships with SMB customers by offering integrated, secure, and cost-effective payment solutions that go beyond basic processing.
With the Federal Reserve holding rates steady, SMBs continue to face high borrowing costs and tight lending standards that limit access to traditional financing. We discuss how CFIs can offer tailored solutions.
Private lenders are filling the CRE financing gap thanks to looser underwriting, more reliability in rates, and growing investor confidence. We discuss nonbank lenders’ strengths and areas where they miss the mark.
Behavioral economics, the study of how we make decisions, is used by many FIs in various ways. We look at three areas of your business where understanding behavioral economics can help you better serve your customers.
Virtual account management technology solutions can help financial institutions speed up the process of opening business accounts, which can ordinarily take weeks. We review how CFIs can help their customers with these solutions.
Financial literacy that is well thought out, touches on relevant topics, and is readily accessible can be a valuable tool to help you attract new customers and cement relationships with existing ones. We provide tips on how to revamp your financial literacy offerings for businesses and consumers.
When one thinks of open banking and third-party APIs, one tends to think of all the benefits for consumers. But CFIs could also leverage the technologies to better serve their small- and medium-sized business customers. We explore the possibilities of open banking, including what the financial sector in Europe has achieved so far.
A challenging economy hasn’t deterred startups, which continue to be formed at record rates. As CFIs seek to identify the most promising startups seeking lending, there a few key things they should be looking for.
According to a recent Salesforce study, customers want two things: help preparing for economic uncertainty and a personalized experience from their financial institutions. We provide tips on how to connect customers with the guidance they need.
Business customers are switching financial institutions for a variety of reasons, but the new FI may end up being the same as the old FI — or worse. We detail the pros and cons that business customers weigh when they consider a switch — and what your CFI can do to make sure you’re the winner on either side of the equation.
Business banking is most CFIs’ bread and butter. But many businesses have more than one banking relationship. To become a customer’s primary provider, CFIs will have to develop the ability to provide full cash visibility, multibank reporting, and multibank transactions.
Global B2B activity is poised to reach $111T in 2027, yet businesses are looking to nontraditional providers to fill their needs. Now is the time for CFIs to take a fresh look at their commercial payment services and revamp them to attract business customers with B2B needs before they land elsewhere.
A new study from Capgemini shows that business customers are increasingly in need of help with cash management. We discuss the biggest cash flow challenges for businesses and what solutions CFIs can offer those customers.
More and more CFIs are courting nonprofits as customers, offering loans and other products and services. We discuss some of the unique financial needs of nonprofits and provide examples of how some CFIs are working with these customers.
According to a new NFIB survey, pessimism prevails among small business owners. We discuss the challenges that small businesses noted in the survey and the potential impact on CFIs.
Niche lending can be extremely lucrative — if executed correctly. We highlight some niche industries that are bringing success to other CFIs and provide guidance on how to identify unique, profitable niches in your area.
Although the Fed has kept interest rates steady since mid-2023 and may cut them sometime this year, they’re still the highest they’ve been in many years, and they continue to impact small businesses across all industries. We discuss three ways in which CFIs can support their small business customers as they navigate the high interest rate environment.
As expectations for personalized financial services grow, CFIs have an opportunity to peg relevant messaging to life and business events. Institutions can use starting key milestone triggers for marketing activity in near real time. We review some examples of what major triggers could be for both consumers and business customers as well as what types of products and services to market to that customer in response.
It’s not clear if or when the CRE market will return to pre-pandemic levels, but experts say there are steps that banks with significant exposure to the space can take to help mitigate losses. We suggest five ways to navigate the slump.
Private equity firms are actively targeting the lending market for small and midsize businesses, and they have deep pockets to use in their pursuit. In order to remain competitive, CFIs must focus on and highlight their expertise in this area.
Some of your commercial customers may struggle to manage their expenses and other bookkeeping duties, but you can help them with these tasks and offer more value. We highlight three examples of how some FIs are doing just that.
Many CFIs have invested substantial time, energy, and capital in improving the banking experience they offer to retail customers. Unfortunately, they haven’t paid the same attention to the business banking experience, says a recent study. A full 68% of respondents thought the digital features of business banking were lagging behind those for retail customers. Here’s how your CFI can take another look at the experience you offer, from a different perspective.
As financial institutions seek to enhance relationships with business clients and increase revenue generated among this group, one area they should focus on is stepping up the analytical tools they provide. We discuss areas CFIs should focus on to level up their account reporting capabilities.
Are you a new lender who needs to build your base of potential clients? Networking at local events or on social media can be daunting, but there are ways to make it less so — and even fun and satisfying in the process.
With many small businesses looking to improve their ESG credentials, CFIs have an opportunity to position themselves as a trusted sustainability partner by offering financing, tools and expertise. At the same time, they can boost their ability to attract and retain small business customers. We detail five ways CFIs can accomplish both goals.
Sole proprietorships are the fastest-growing demographic in new business startups. They represent an area of opportunity for CFIs willing to tailor service offerings and dedicate staff to micro companies, yielding strong banking relationships that can grow with these tiny businesses.
More and more CFIs are using alternative cash flow data to determine the creditworthiness of prospective small business borrowers. They are partnering with fintechs and other nonbank providers to access and analyze prospects’ electronic cash flow information. A nonprofit research organization analyzed these practices and we provide a summary of the results.
The CFPB has finalized a data collection rule for lenders that extend credit to small businesses. The regulations aim to find patterns in small business lending that enhance CRA initiatives and make lending practices more equitable. However, trade groups like the ICBA and the CUNA have concerns that the additional burdens of compliance could impede CFIs’ ability to make as many loans as they do. We explain what CFIs should be aware of as this issue unfolds.
For small businesses that don’t need a loan, mobile banking is one of the most valuable tools a CFI can provide. It lets customers bank where they want, whenever they want. In addition to providing customer convenience, mobile banking can also help your institution to increase loans and deposits, and sell other business services.
According to the most recent banking survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, small organizations prefer to bank with small and regional banks. They also rank customer service as the most important factor when choosing a bank. We summarize the key findings and explore the opportunities for CFIs.
Small businesses form the backbone of not only the US economy but the client lists of many CFIs. But almost a third don’t think their banking institutions understand their needs. We look at some ways financial institutions can better support small businesses throughout their growth lifecycle.
The volatility of the foreign exchange rate market can be challenging on your small business customers that do business internationally. We explore FX forward contracts as an option you can offer to provide more certainty in this area, thereby increasing customer loyalty.
Recent bank failures and subsequent federal rescues can cause customers to wonder about the stability of all financial institutions. CFIs that have sponsored local events and supported local organizations may be able to reap some benefits from the goodwill they’ve accrued in their community. Read on for ideas.
Many small businesses that use a small financial institution for their needs typically do not pay for non-interest-bearing banking services. This is not the case for larger financial institutions. How can CFIs create offerings that business clients will buy? We discuss 4 key areas to pay attention to.
Helping business clients of every size is at the core of CFIs and their missions. CFIs have a little-known tool that can help their SMB clients: the employee retention credit (ERC). We break down what this refundable tax credit is, who may qualify, and how it can help your customers.
Small businesses are increasingly doing business across international borders, and in need of international banking support. We discuss how CFIs can best serve their customers’ cross-border banking needs and stay ahead of the competition.
Using sophisticated digital solutions, alternative lenders are gaining small business customers, sometimes at the expense of CFIs. Here are some tips to help CFIs look for signs of defection and respond.
As economists warn that recession is inevitable, CFIs should actively take steps to best prepare themselves and their customers to weather a significant economic downturn.
Small businesses have been at the heart of the post-pandemic economic recovery, but high inflation and hiring challenges are contributing to a negative outlook for them. By rethinking the lending process, CFIs can support SMBs through these tough times, while also increasing their own revenue opportunities, cutting the cost to serve, and minimizing risk. We explore how.
A recent study says that a financial institution’s lack of support for local charities would push customers to move their accounts elsewhere. We explore how your CFI can pick charities that make the greatest impression on your customers.
Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of 10K per day, and along with those retirements will be a wave of small businesses passing on to younger generations. CFIs should identify small business customers likely to be impacted by baby boomer retirements and preemptively take steps to ensure those businesses will remain with their organizations long after their current owners have left the workforce.
Embedded banking allows CFIs to provide financial products and services through non-bank, third-party partners such as retailers and service providers. In this second part of our embedded banking series, we explore ideas of how CFIs might partner with non-bank organizations to offer embedded banking services. We also address some of the legal, compliance and technology challenges associated with launching embedded banking.
As SMEs seek to attract and retain employees by offering enhanced benefits such as 401(k) plans, financial institutions predict major growth in this business line. Some CFIs have already begun partnering with retirement service providers to put together affordable and streamlined offerings.
The pandemic caused many smaller companies to adopt digital technologies that expanded their ability to reach customers across the US and in other nations. Many of the companies say that cross-border commerce is a way to grow businesses and keep up with the competition. As a result, CFIs with international payment solutions may have opportunities to strengthen relationships, add new customers, and grow fee income.
Borrowing a page from the Paycheck Protection Program, some banks have begun offering microloans to early-stage businesses based on their gross income. We consider the pluses and minuses of this underwriting method.
Businesses and consumers prefer the convenience of electronic payment methods. So, an electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) platform is helpful for CFIs to retain customers, compete for new clients, and stay viable. Not all EBPP platforms are alike, so we discuss how to choose the one that benefits your institution the most.
CFIs say their top strategic goal is growing loans. They also say they plan to increase tech spending. Targeting more of that increased tech spending on products demanded by small businesses can help advance loan growth.
Understanding why paper checks are still a popular way of paying business invoices can help CFIs assist their customers in making the transition to electronic payments. We discuss the reasons businesses still use paper checks for B2B payments and the benefits of switching to EFT.
Continuous reviews of your website’s user-friendliness can be the difference between a positive customer experience and a lost opportunity. A study by Forrester concludes that a well-designed and easily navigated website can increase your conversion rate — the rate at which visitors take actions, like submitting a contact form, that directly solicit your services on your site — by up to 400%.
Money management and forecasting are top concerns for small businesses. CFIs can help small business customers deal with those issues by offering regular feedback and suggestions for improvement, thus helping avert more serious problems later.
Referral marketing is one of the most affordable and effective marketing strategies, but not all referral programs are created equal. We cover what CFIs should know about these programs, including examples to inspire you and six tips to improve your referral program.
Organizations with fewer than 100 people account for 22% of all fraud cases and a median loss of $150K. Preventing financial fraud is easier when small business owners and employees know how to spot signs of trouble. CFIs can help their commercial customers by educating them about fraud — we provide several fraud-prevention steps for you to share.
The US dollar is at parity with the euro for the first time in 20Ys, and up against numerous other foreign currencies. That’s not necessarily a good thing for companies that do business overseas. American goods are more expensive, and the dollar’s strength deflates the value of funds earned overseas. We discuss ways you can support your commercial customers who have international business ventures.
When potential customers search for financial services online, where does your brand show up on the results page? Whether your brand comes up first or twenty-seventh, it’s important to stay up to date on what determines this ranking and make changes to your site accordingly. We’ve compiled a list of tips for enhancing your website with original, compelling content, as well as practices you should avoid.
With inflation high and credit use rising, your customers may be more open to learning about sound financial practices. Community financial institutions can capitalize on these teachable moments by offering financial wellness education through an app, in a virtual classroom, or in-person.
CFIs would do well to collect and analyze data on customer behaviors and spending habits — not only from their own systems, but also online portals and apps, as well as their partners’ APIs in an open banking model. We discuss some opportunities.
Personal finance and financial health is top of mind for both Gen Zers and their parents. We look at some of the ways in which Gen Z learns about finances — and how CFIs can provide the financial education and advice that these customers want.
Universal retirement benefit plans are on the horizon for many states in the US, with proposed congressional legislation meaning potentially big changes for small business customers. CFIs can aid those small business customers with preemptive educational offerings to help prepare them for what’s to come.
Digitization is a critical component in CFIs’ efforts to remain competitive with fintechs and their largest peers, but the personalization of smaller banks is their most valuable asset. We explore how to reconcile these seemingly competing forces to achieve a digital experience that works for your customers and your CFI.
Top-performing financial institutions had higher expenses last year, but also higher revenues and profit, as well as more loan growth. While their frugal peers may have been better at holding down costs, the higher performers got more bang for their buck.
Financial institutions enjoyed client deposit surges through the end of last year, but extreme rate hikes from the Fed may change that. As CFIs feel pressure to raise their rates on deposits to keep customers, it’s important to consider what other strategies CFIs can deploy to retain deposit levels and client relationships.
Every CFI wants to attract new customers, and many have a marketing plan in place to help them accomplish this. The only problem is that CFIs don’t need just one marketing plan. They need multiple marketing plans to help them attract the different demographics within their customer bases. We explain how to develop customer segments and market to each one.
Online gaming platforms have become extremely popular in recent years, with 76% of children under 18 playing regularly and connecting their parents’ credit cards and bank cards to their gaming accounts. Financial education about the risks of online gaming payments can add value for young and older customers alike.
Could a subscription model take the place of à la carte bank fees? We explain the pluses and minuses of that business strategy, as well as different options to bring the subscription model experience to your customers.
In the competitive small business lending market, a clear understanding of business owner needs can go a long way to drive an institution’s loan portfolio growth. Gaining that edge takes hard work and sophisticated data mining. Here are four steps to make your SME loan strategy more holistic, ultimately resulting in increased revenue.
Small business owners are more pessimistic about the economy than they have been in nearly half a century, according to a new survey. But they remain somewhat optimistic about their own future. In this muddied outlook, CFIs need to move cautiously in how they work with small business borrowers.
According to a recent report from McKinsey & Co., 71% of customers expect companies to personalize their interactions. Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) have traditionally delivered personalized experiences through their customer interactions and building strong relationships. But now, it’s vital to aggregate, integrate, and analyze customer data in ways that let CFIs anticipate and predict future needs.
This past spring, the US bond market flashed a key recession warning with the yield curve briefly inverted and short-term debt paying more than longer-term loans. No one can know for sure when the next economic recession will begin, but CFIs may be able to take advantage of two potential opportunities that the inverted yield curve offers.
CFIs can’t rely on inertia to keep their customers. It can cost around $300 to acquire a single customer. By paying attention to the reasons that clients switch providers, you can help ensure that attrition doesn’t erode your customer base. We explore the key reasons that customers leave their banking institutions.
High-quality conversations between employees and customers can be very beneficial for the bottom lines of community financial institutions. According to Gallup, effective conversations initiated by employees are four times more likely to result in sales. We provide three tips to achieve better customer engagement.
Demand for commercial lending is heating up. CFIs have an opportunity to expand into new markets, add talented lenders, launch new niches, and team up for bigger deals – all while maintaining stellar credit quality. We delve into the details.
There are 32.5MM small businesses in the US, generating 44% of economic activity — an attractive opportunity for financial service providers of all sizes. CFIs have a strong connection with small business customers and could leverage their understanding of the customers’ unique needs in order to create compelling propositions for them. We give you four strategies to help get you off to a good start.
It’s a common problem. Customers want personalized service, but are reluctant to share their personal data to power that. A smooth authentication process, as the first point of contact between a CFI and a customer, can help build the trust that customers need to forge a new or ongoing banking relationship, and offer CFIs access to their information.
CFI’s are exceptional at attracting new business. But according to a recent J.D. Power study, there is still room to improve in maintaining those customer relationships after they’ve been onboarded. We provide 3 tips for your institution to consider to help foster those relationships from the beginning.
When CFIs create “green niches” that support fast-growing companies with environmental-friendly business models, it can prove to be quite profitable. Then add the bonus of delighting investors and satisfying regulators, well then, the trifecta can bring great dividends indeed. We share several ways that your institution can create a green niche through real industry examples.
CFIs are well-positioned to understand what is important to the communities they serve. By focusing on initiatives that are important to those communities, CFIs build strong relationships, grow loyal customer bases, and amplify the voices of those they serve. We provide three examples of how CFIs can do just that.
CFIs that heed the call to expand digital offerings may overlook the extra pressure digital places on backup live agents. According to one study, more than half of self-service digital encounters by bank customers end in failure and wind up with a live agent.
Some community financial institutions may not know the benefits of interest rate swaps. Not only do they help you manage interest rate risk, but they also help you retain customers. Your customers want fixed rates, especially as rates rise. You can help them with interest rate swaps — and you gain noninterest income too. We explain how.
According to the FDIC, there are approximately 7MM US households that remain unbanked and over 50MM that are underbanked. These groups have received more attention from regulators lately. While we know you are reaching out to them in your communities, we give you five strategies to help engage these potential customers.
Is construction ebbing or flowing? It depends. Commercial construction spending was down in March. Yet, architecture backlogs are full. Community financial institutions having construction loans in their portfolios will need to firm up risk mitigation, as they closely watch economic indicators. Here are three reminders to lower the risk with these loans in your portfolio.
Many farmers have been reaping the benefits of rising commodity prices, some higher than 140% over the past 18 months. Yet, the Russian invasion of Ukraine changed the direction of the wind for many farmers. How will your agricultural customers fare through the geopolitical turmoil?
Bankers have long been waiting for interest rates to increase so that net interest margins would rise. Yet, there are other factors in play today, such as high inflation, labor shortages, and credit risk. We review the current rising rate landscape and provide approaches to manage through it successfully.
Virtual payment cards have been around for a while. But, their use is increasing. Global virtual card spending is expected to reach $355B in 2022. Businesses are finding several uses and benefits in using virtual payment cards. Community financial institutions will want to take note, so that they can be prepared to best support them.
Online reviews are gaining importance. In fact, 79% of people trust the online reviews of strangers, as much as they do recommendations from family and friends. Community financial institutions need to actively monitor and manage their online reviews, in order to continue developing and deepening customer relationships. So, we explore how to get online reviews and manage this process.
While the yield curve is flat to inverted, community financial institutions are looking for fee income. Hedging loans for your customers provides you with upfront fee income, immediately recognized as earnings. Is this a good time to consider hedging for your institution and gain extra income? While some may feel hedging could be cumbersome, it can be easier than you think. Join us as we explore how it works.
Financial literacy is crucial for banking customers’ financial well-being and it is an ongoing issue that community bankers are tackling head-on. Most recently, community bankers, together with state businesses and political leaders, spearheaded successful financial literacy legislation in Nebraska. We review how they did it along with the current situation in other areas to inspire other community bankers.
Return on Experience (ROX) is a fairly new metric for financial institutions. Yet, one survey has found it to be a powerful metric. The study found that financial institutions that grew 10% or more had stronger ROX programs than those that didn’t. We explore this new performance metric.
Minority-owned businesses play an increasingly important role in the US economy, generating $1.7T in revenue and providing more than 8.9MM jobs. Yet many are still finding it tough to access finance to grow and expand. Recently, the government increased its efforts to improve the situation. Here are five efforts that community financial institutions can do to help address this challenge.
Around $90B was withdrawn from over 200K independent ATMs across the country in 2020. As financial institutions continue to merge, close branches, and remove ATMs, these independent ATMs, found in convenience stores among others, are a lifeline to many consumers where banks have closed branches. They are also a revenue generator for many small businesses. Is this an opportunity for community financial institutions?
The Small Business Administration provided $85MM in microloans to 5,890 people in 2020. Many community financial institutions assisted in that business as intermediaries. These loans help startups and smaller businesses that might not be eligible for traditional loans. Are they worthwhile for your institution? We explore this lending sector.
Ninety-five percent of text messages are read within three minutes. With consumers’ reliance on texting, it is no wonder that the latest payment option, text-to-pay, is gaining momentum. It gives users the ability to pay through a link on a text easily and quickly. Let’s see why your small business customers may start finding it attractive.
With interest rates set to rise in the coming months, some banking customers may be tempted to shop around for the best deals. Effective customer profitability analysis allows community financial institutions to better retain and target new customers, while increasing overall customer profitability. We share some lessons from institutions that have successfully implemented these models along with three ways to increase customer profitability.
Some community financial institutions may not think that cross-border remittances are in demand in their communities. Yet, in its November report, the World Bank projected growth of 7.3% of remittance payment volume in 2021. Could some of this spill over into your footprint? Here are three ways to successfully provide remittance services.
Customer loyalty is considered the key to customer retention. An important part of that loyalty is customer effort. Do your customers have to work hard to access your products and services? Unhappy customers cost companies $75B globally, so it is important to minimize your customers’ efforts. We show you five areas to be especially watchful.
TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms and community financial institutions should strongly consider using it for marketing. With 689MM users worldwide, opportunities abound to reach new customers and expand brand awareness. We offer more reasons to consider this platform, along with TikTok’s content creation guidelines.
Looking for international business customers? You don’t need to look far. Many reside in your communities, but in places that you may not consider. According to JPMorgan Chase, 14% of SMBs plan on expanding beyond US borders in the next 3Ys. We uncover three places to find SMBs needing international services.
As small and midsize businesses are optimistic, 90% anticipate their business will expand successfully. Many of these businesses will need funding to fuel this expansion, especially with increasing costs. Here are three ways to tap into business optimism and growth.
Despite an unprecedented need to help victims of natural disasters and wars around the world, humanitarian aid nonprofits and other organizations — along with their financial institutions — often face challenges transferring funds for aid to certain countries. This is primarily due to the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing. We review the government’s findings on how to improve this situation and what this could mean for community financial institutions.
With the explosion of gig workers, the needs of some small businesses have changed. Many self-employed business owners are looking for time-efficient, digital financial services so that they can focus on growing their businesses. Here are five important areas to address in successfully appealing to these businesses.
Around 55Ys ago, the USPS ended its postal banking services. Yet, a new USPS check-cashing pilot program seems to be indicating a possible resurgence. The stimulus checks from the pandemic shined a light on the issues for the unbanked in accessing these funds. Now, with some bipartisan momentum, USPS could become a competitor to many community financial institutions. We unpack the details and give some insights.
Community financial institutions know their customers well. Yet, this is no time for complacency as competitors abound. Technology is an important tool in understanding your customers’ shifting needs. Here are three key areas to use technology to more effectively respond to your customers.
The agriculture industry appears to have experienced a turnaround during 2021. The USDA expects 2021 net farm income to increase by 23% YoY. We take a look at what has driven the recovery this past year, review the outlook for 2022, and suggest three ways in which community financial institutions could reap the most from this boom.
The hike in inflation to 6.8% in November and the arrival of the Omicron variant have applied pressure for the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates. What will this do to deposits? While rates are still low, it’s critical for community financial institutions to retain their customers and their position as primary bank. Here are some tips to help increase customer stickiness.
Middle-market businesses ($10MM to $1B) may be overlooked by community financial institutions for a variety of reasons. However, now may be the time to reassess these customers. The Harvard Business Review found that many of these companies experience 10% growth YoY. We lay out the profile of this business, the competition, and three reasons why your institution should consider wooing these customers.
Supply shortages have been affecting all businesses to some degree since the start of the pandemic. But, with the holiday season upon us, small businesses are finding supply chain issues especially difficult. We lay out the current situation, how it specifically affects small businesses, and what community financial institutions can do to help.
The pace of bank M&A this year has been high with 19 deals worth almost $12.5B in September alone. Community banks have been on both sides of the table in M&A activity this year. Here are the latest bank merger numbers along with some of the reasons to merge and the results of this continuing consolidation of community banks.
The pandemic threw a major curveball at everyone, especially small businesses. Many changed gears and moved to an e-commerce model, which helped them survive. With fewer geographic barriers, global payments soared and the value of global digital payments is expected to increase 22% YoY in 2021. Here are three ways that community financial institutions can help their customers continue to thrive with global payments.
Community financial institutions know all about customer service and customer research. However, there are many ways to use this research. Are you ready to use it for your larger business goals? ROI could be as high as 7x when coupled with analytics tools. We highlight three areas to effectively use customer research.
Blogging may not sound like a serious marketing activity, but it is one of the most popular ways to connect with customers and leads these days. In fact, 91% of B2B companies use blogs or similar content marketing. If you want to start blogging or simply fine-tune your skills, here are six steps to creating a successful blog post.
There has been a 25% increase in the number of startups last year compared to 2019. With increasing confidence as the economy picks up, these new businesses will need more capital. Even though lending levels are still low, now is the time to consider the criteria for lending to entrepreneurs when they come knocking. Here are six criteria to look for in these startups to translate into serious lending business.
Nearly 40% of American adults are now using mobile banking apps. With the pandemic accelerating existing digital trends, many community financial institutions may be wondering if expanding technology threatens their highly personal customer relationship model. But digital technology can be a powerful way to enhance the personal touch. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Small businesses are busy overseas. They are looking for more opportunities to not only grow, but sometimes survive. Last year’s e-commerce boom made international business even easier for many businesses. Small business international wire transfers increased to 17% last year from 10% in 2019. Is your institution supporting its customers with international payment solutions? If not, the competition will.
Credit unions have now acquired more than 100 community banks since 2013. We have seen this M&A activity ebb and flow, but right now it seems to be flowing. Here is an update with some of the advantages and disadvantages of these deals, while discussing the credit union tax exemption.
The federal eviction moratorium has ended, which gives landlords more control over their income flow. Yet, the situation is still complicated for landlords and the community financial institutions that lend to them. We explore the economic landscape and provide three strategies for lenders to use with their landlord customers.
America’s 72MM baby boomers are starting to retire. Given that they own approximately 40% of small businesses, is your community financial institution prepared for the resulting shift in ownership and transfer of wealth? We provide three strategies to pave the way for a successful transition — start the conversation with your clients early, establish a relationship with the new owners, and onboard them seamlessly.
Nonemployer firms, which consist of only the owner, have had a hard time with funding, according to a recent report from the Federal Reserve. While 41% of these small businesses reached out to big banks for PPP loans, only 52% of those received the funds they wanted. Community financial institutions have an opportunity with this sector.
As big banks JPMorgan Chase and BBVA pulled the plug on their “digital-only” brands, Finn and Simple, you would think community financial institutions would stay away from this endeavor. Yet, a peer in MA recently launched its own “digital-only” brand. Is this something for other community financial institutions to consider? Here are some of the advantages for your consideration.
With the economy slowly recovering, bankers wonder when loan growth will return. With the continuing uncertainties of the Delta variant, labor constraints, and supply issues, significant challenges remain. However, there are some bright spots. We highlight three important lending areas: mortgage lending, CRE, and small business.
Planning for natural disasters is not new. But, with 100 climate- and weather-related global disasters happening between March and October 2020, the stakes have been raised. Since September is National Preparedness Month, it is a good time to review your business continuity plan with fresh eyes and communicate the steps to prepare with both employees and customers.
In 1934, robbing a national or state bank of the Federal Reserve became a federal crime. While the rise of digital banking and cyber thievery has led to fewer in-branch robberies, branch security is still important. It can be challenging today with pandemic protocols such as social distancing and masks. Yet, these five security operations help you firm up your branch security.
The US real-time payments market is expected to reach $4.2B in transaction volume by 2024. With this level of growth, more players are entering the field. Barclays recently partnered with Mastercard to launch a real-time payment system in the UK and Europe. This could be important even to community financial institutions in the US.
With 8MM minority-owned businesses in the US, many are having a hard time finding funding. Financial institutions, large and small, are stepping up to help them. While we know that community financial institutions are masters at assisting their communities, we highlight four important ways financial institutions are supporting minority-owned businesses.
The hospitality industry was hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus. Yet, community financial institutions that lend to hotels and other hospitality-industry businesses are seeing a drop in loan delinquencies. With the recent Delta variant and increasing rates of infection, will loan delinquencies change course and do a U-turn?
Your customers rely on you for effective communications. Yet, there are many ways to send customer communications, including email, text, website chats, and even social media. So, which channel is the right one? Email is the most prevalent, but about a quarter of customers value communications from their financial institutions through other channels. There are three important tips for effective customer communication.
Many SMBs are still using manual AP processes, which are inefficient and more costly. As a trusted advisor to your customers, you can help them automate their AP systems. Three ways to do this are: helping them streamline cash flow, reminding them of the cost savings, and providing them with a white-label solution.
Bank of America recently projected that Gen Z will be the “most disruptive generation ever.” Not only is their income expected to exceed that of millennials in 10Ys, but they are also more highly educated than their cohorts. Let’s explore three approaches to engage them and gain a competitive advantage.
During the pandemic, Coalition Greenwich estimated that 3x as many small and midsize businesses likely switched financial institutions due to their dissatisfaction. Since many CFIs were on the receiving end of this switch, it is important to retain these new customers. We discuss two important customer retention strategies to use in your upcoming customer discussions.
Do your business customers include artists? If not, you could be missing out on an opportunity. Reaching out to artists not only helps them, but also expands your business and solidifies your commitment to your community. We lay out five ways that you can support artists and generate business, including displaying artwork, sponsoring shows, and financing the development of “art communities.”
Millennials seem to be lagging behind their generational cohorts financially. Yet, there are indicators that this could be changing. Compared to baby boomers, millennials had higher incomes and more financial assets at 40. Let’s look at the financial challenges this demographic faces and the traits that make them solid, profitable bank customers.
The FDIC’s technology lab, FDITECH, recently announced its launch of a tech sprint to provide the right tools for community financial institutions to engage with the unbanked. We give you an update on this project, along with the current costs for the unbanked and the opportunities for institutions that can connect with them.
With the recent cyberattack on Kaseya, cyber concerns remain high among many businesses, especially small businesses. For good reason, as 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. Community financial institutions may want to familiarize themselves with cyber insurance basics to help guide their business customers as more may turn to insurance to protect themselves. We provide four cyber insurance considerations.
Have you reviewed your institution’s branding lately? If not, it may be time to do so. Competition is fierce, so it is important to stand out and communicate your values to your customers and prospects. We give you five indicators that your branding needs a makeover, including a similar name as others, a recent big change, and lacking a distinctive tagline.
Lending is at an all-time low for many financial institutions. Using data can expand your SBA lending and supplement your loan portfolio with the lower risk of government-backed loans. We explore three data strategies to increase your lending efforts, including using third-party data, leveraging your CRM data, and even mining your loan data.
Small business optimism is up from last year. Yet, small businesses are still facing several challenges, including labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. So, they will likely continue to lean on community financial institutions for support. These approaches help your institution get them back on their feet quickly.
With Square officially becoming a bank and Google and Amazon intent on staying active in the financial services industry, competition is heating up. What are these technology vendors doing and how should you ensure your customer relationships are solid so you remain competitive? We answer those questions for you.
A neo bank in Spain created its own private social network for its customers. While community financial institutions don’t compete with this bank, we thought this approach to customer engagement provided a fresh perspective on how we can interact with our customers. We explore what this private social network does, how it adds value, and why content is always king.
Businesses are opening up countrywide. But, with the ongoing supply chain issues and price pressures, many small businesses are struggling. There are several opportunities for community financial institutions to assist these businesses in their community, including the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, short-term funding, and advisory expertise.
The pandemic caused many things — a coin shortage was one of them. The residual effects of this shortage are still felt even today. We update you on what the Fed is doing, why coins are still important (even in this increasingly cashless economy), who loses out in a cashless society, and how community financial institutions can help their small business customers adapt.
Complaints on social media have risen as people become more comfortable airing their grievances online. Not only that, 48% of consumers use social media before buying products or services. Solving the problem is important, but doing so privately is key. Otherwise, you could run into overshadowing of other customers’ positive comments and even the loss of social media engagement with your customers.
Did you know that gig workers make up over one-third of the workforce in the US? Yet, their financial needs are mainly addressed by fintechs. We bring you up-to-speed on this labor sector including the reasons they want to work independently, why conventional risk assessment may not work, how fintechs are courting gig workers, and what financial services gig workers need.
The CDC reports that 25% of Americans live with a disability. So, it is important to provide accessible digital options for all. The key drivers include compliance, but also greater inclusivity and the best user experience. What accessibility features are available? Talk to your core provider to ensure you can support all of your customers now with the digital tools they need.
As the economy opens up more and more, community financial institutions will be looking for ways to use their liquidity and boost SMB lending. We give you a few ways to do that: leverage automated processes, continue to offer SBA loans, boost construction lending (in the right markets), and create new lending niches.
Podcasts are smart marketing. They have a recall rate 4x higher than other digital channels and the number of US podcast listeners is expected to grow 16% YoY to over 106MM. If you want to start a podcast, the steps include planning a series, reviewing other podcasts, and finalizing your podcast format.
The annualized GDP rate for Q1 was 6.4% putting us on track for recovery, as vaccinations continue to roll out, infections are down, and businesses open up. The CRE industry is getting a boost too. We share the latest trends affecting retail, hospitality & travel, office space, and industrial industry segments.
The pandemic has changed many things for bankers, including their marketing. As businesses reopen and consumers start spending, we enter into the “new normal” which is a time to reassess marketing plans, as customer needs change. We provide you with four ways to effectively reach your customers for the biggest bang for your marketing buck.
The Paycheck Protection Program has been a lifesaver for many small businesses. With some recent changes, both your current business customers and new ones could still receive much-needed assistance. The program has been extended, proceeds have potentially increased for Schedule C filers, eligibility has been expanded, and new forms facilitate streamlined processing.
The cross-border payments market is valued at $21T and is growing at a 90% compound annual growth rate. This is one big reason to consider providing cross-border payments to your business customers. We have four more: small and medium businesses are engaging in more foreign trade, they trust their banks for help, you generate more fee income, and you can strengthen your relationship with your customers.
According to one estimate, tenants now owe more than $70B in back rent and utility bills and are on average nearly four months behind on rent. While the recovery seems to be gathering steam, how can community financial institutions help their landlord clients stay on track? We provide four ways: defer payments, obtain federal assistance, provide short-term loans, and educate landlords.
Research has found that people who take care of themselves physically, are also more financially fit. Having all-around healthy bank customers can increase a community financial institution’s profitability. So, we bring you three examples of financial institutions that are incentivizing their customers to stay physically fit and financially healthy.
Generation Z’s spending power is $3.4T globally and $143B in the States alone. They are becoming a powerful force, yet they welcome guidance and advice. Community financial institutions have an opportunity to reach these 78MM Americans by offering entrepreneurial guidance, providing financial education, and connecting with their altruism.
The Federal Reserve is making good progress on its FedNow Service – it expects to launch it in 2023. Before we know it, 2023 will be here. So, to keep you informed, we are providing you with the program details, ISO specs, program advantages, and some information on the pilot that is underway. Since we are participating in the pilot, we will give you these updates regularly.
Financial institutions are awash in cash these days. How long will this situation last and what is a banker to do about it? We cover the economic indicators affecting liquidity, such as inflation and employment, and how to manage the effects of inflation with revenue protection.
Community financial institutions have used customer referral programs successfully for years. But now that things are starting to feel more normalized, maybe it is time to take it up a notch. We address how to do that by automating your referral program and testing rewards.
The WTO forecasts trade volumes will increase by 7.2% in 2021, bringing back robust global commerce. With that, community financial institutions will want to support their international business customers and trade finance is one way to do that. Not only does this help your customer, but your institution benefits as well with good returns, resilient assets, low defaults, and more.
Going viral may only seem relevant for those on TikTok or teenagers, but some community financial institutions could use this marketing tactic to entice the ever-increasing Gen Z bank customer. We highlight how video clips and posts can go viral using popularity, trust, shared identity, and fear factor drivers.
It appears that we are nearing the tail-end of the pandemic and so it is an important time to review customer profitability. To guide you through this assessment, we cover three key areas that impact customer profitability: interest income, noninterest income and expenses, and credit costs.
The percentage of immigrants as a share of the population has grown in the last 40Ys to 13.7% vs. 4.8% in 1970. We found 5 interesting ways that your peers are supporting their foreign-born community members, including alternative credit scoring, microbusiness loans, small-dollar loans, and more.
According to the CFE Fund, 36MM adults are underbanked or unbanked. Not only that, $66MM in check-cashing fees was spent by Americans to access their stimulus funds. Bank On is an important initiative that is now available at more than 28K bank and credit union branches nationally. We explain why this initiative is catching on and how you can participate.
As your small business customers expand to Canada, Mexico, and beyond, you will want to grow with them. If you provide international payment services, you can support them and gain valuable fee income. We map out what these customers are looking for in international payment solutions.
Community financial institutions are always thinking of their customers. Yet, with banking behavior changing and banking options exploding, it is especially important to stay focused on the customer experience. To keep you on track, we highlight three areas of focus: accessibility, security, and real-time assistance.
Peak oil, where demand and production stop rising and start to decline, may begin in the next few years. Even though many community financial institutions are not directly lending to oil producers, they could still be affected. Three areas where they should keep watch: in the oil patch, near the oil patch, and around oil industry-impacted businesses.
The IRS recently provided guidance on certain tax breaks for forgiven PPP loans. With a large number of community financial institutions providing these loans, it is important to pass this information on to borrowers. We give you a short summary of the allowed deductions and how the reporting rules were modified for financial institutions providing these loans.
As the pandemic continues and tenants struggle to pay rent, small landlords could suffer, and with them, their lenders. Yet, there are several ways community financial institutions can help their borrowers, and themselves, including government-backed loan forbearance programs, additional PPP or SBA loans, and new customized ways to work with your borrowers.
The roles of financial institution CEOs have changed over the past years. The evolved leader embodies characteristics of being purpose-driven, accessible, and vocal. These traits along with more targeted and transparent messaging and digital visibility help community financial institution leaders to better guide their communities through this economic recovery.
The global biometrics market is expected to hit $68.6B in 2025. While community financial institutions should be incorporating biometrics to protect customer data, they also need to mitigate the risks associated with biometrics. Data breaches, AI use to mimic behavioral biometrics, and security system workarounds are a few risks that need to be mitigated to stay safe as biometrics are integrated.
Savings rates soared to a high of 33.7% in April of last year. While we are still waiting for a full recovery and more normalized savings rates, you will want to proactively plan to retain deposits for when that time comes. To get you started, we lay out some ways to do this with savings-as-a-service and savings apps, whether in-house or through a partnership.
Digital disbursements give businesses a smooth and immediate payment process. With global digital payments expected to hit $7.64T by 2024, opportunities for businesses to seamlessly make payments is ramping up. Community financial institutions can help them while finding benefits, such as reducing expenses, increasing transparency, generating fee income, and assisting with customer profitability.
Partnerships with fintechs have been increasing, due to the digitization spurred by the pandemic. Several community financial institutions are among those institutions engaging more with fintechs. We have three secrets for successful fintech partnerships to share, some of which came from your peers: fintech flexibility, removing internal barriers, and involving staff.
Customer profitability is even more important these days as CFIs are squeezed on margins. Knowing what your customers want and providing them with creative offerings to help will cement their relationships with your institution. Taking a holistic view of your customers will then allow you to more effectively value price the relationship for the greatest customer profitability.
Influencer marketing, asking people with a large social media following and high credibility in the field to spread your message, is a big deal right now and bankers are taking notice. It is one way to attract more customers and new talent. A few of your peers have broken ground with influencer marketing. We share their stories and give you information on paid and earned influencer marketing.
The pandemic has harmed many businesses and shuttered many for good. Yet, eager startups are finding opportunities as well. We cover the elements of the economic environment that are fueling these startups (and potential new customers) and highlight areas that have done especially well.
By segmenting your PPP customers based on their needs for the funds, you can better determine customer profitability. We explore the different approaches for 3 customer segments, based on the intended use for PPP funds.
Javelin Strategy & Research finds that businesses accepting digital payments of all kinds increased to 53% during the pandemic. This creates five opportunities for community financial institutions.
Landscaping at your branch can help to engage your community and convey a message. We give you some examples of how your peers did this successfully.
First Uber and now Goldman Sachs. Embedded banking is growing with Goldman Sachs recently joining this market. We lay it out for you so you can consider its effects and start to prepare.
Do you want to acquire new customers? Merchant businesses can provide you with more revenue and are cross-sold on more products faster.
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of 2020's most popular articles.
While the BID takes a rest for the holidays, we revisit some of 2020's most popular articles.
Community banks have many challenges these days. Hear from two of the oldest community banks, as they share lessons in longevity to inspire you.
Bankers have been hesitant to support cannabis merchants despite the legal status of marijuana in many states. We give you an update on legislation, payment solutions, and trade group support that may indicate a changing tide.
According to IBM, baby boomers are expected to increase online holiday shopping by 116% this year. We share four ways to keep your senior customers safe from cyber thieves.
Commercial real estate (CRE) has been hit hard. Your CRE borrowers are exploring creative opportunities to sublease their properties. Here are three innovative options that have sprung up.
Credential stuffing is a common cyberattack that can lead to account takeover. What you should know to stay safe.
There have been several studies on millennials. We bring you some highlights so you can create more connections with these customers.
While the coronavirus had thrown import and export business for a loop, trade is starting to normalize. So, it is a good time to think of how to serve international business customers.
Wealth management services may be the way to generate more fee income for your customer base. Here are three proven success tips for launching wealth management.
Pandemic-specific loyalty rewards are popular. We share four of them to consider for your program.
For our monthly I&I issue, we share questions on women and minority-owned businesses, digital-first credit cards, and remote employee feedback.
It has been reported that 70% of Americans are stressed about the economy and work. We provide three ways to help your customers through their financial anxiety.
The majority of bankers these days are working on implementing technologies to keep their customers happy. We give you four mistakes to avoid when doing so.
Even though the pandemic has sidelined many businesses, 20% of entrepreneurs are launching new business opportunities. Community financial institutions can form new relationships as they help these die-hard business owners.
There are opportunities to reach out to diverse communities and cultivate new customer relationships. We give you three ways to do it.
Today we share some of the highlights of conversations we have had with bankers on lending and their planning for 2021.
Many fintechs and merchants now provide aggregated bill payment offerings. Should your institution be offering this to your customers?
A number of community financial institutions are participating in the Main Street Lending Program. We show you three strategies to gain market share through it.
Faster payments are here and the options are expanding. What you need to know.
After several months of declining optimism, business owners are feeling more positive. We highlight some of the latest signs.
During the pandemic, child care has become a major issue, as child care facilities closed or were given strict limits. We provide three strategies to assist for a smooth transition back to the office.
During the pandemic, you can stand out even more with creative ways to thank your customers and support your community.
Gen Z will represent the largest consumer population in 2026. Four ways to gain and retain them as business customers.
A strong complaint-management program is essential. We cover four key areas as a refresher.
The coronavirus has prompted the revival of the drive-through teller. Should you consider expanding this banking channel?
Disasters keep striking. Take the time to review your disaster recovery strategies before you might need them.
AI decision-making systems can help community financial institutions to eliminate bias in credit decisions. We explain how to do it.
Decision trees help employees handle customer issues. We have six tips to use this tool successfully.
As you work with your customers during these tough times, we have five strategies that may help mitigate the credit crunch.
Google recently announced an expansion of its banking partnerships in digital banking services. We explore some of the benefits to consider in fintech partnerships.
The move to increasingly high-speed networks with 5G is a potent change. We give you four areas in banking that will be affected.
Though you are likely cooking up all sorts of activities to de-stress your employees and customers, we wanted to offer some creative ways to help.
With PPP loans on your books, is it best to keep them, sell them, or hire a vendor to help? We run through these options.
Customer review sites are now being used to inform on businesses' safety efforts. This could be another channel for your institution to assure customers about safety measures during COVID-19.
The Main Street Lending Program is one government program that hasn't received much attention. We share some of the experiences from your peers who have begun to offer loans through this federal program.
Coins are in short supply due to the pandemic. Here are a few strategies for community financial institutions and their businesses to manage through this shortage.
Gig work is growing, both in the number of jobs and revenue. We explore how you can potentially acquire this customer segment.
Women have been hit hard financially during the pandemic. We give you four strategic elements to include in your efforts to attract and retain women customers.
After the global slowdown ends, international business will expand again. We offer you steps to guide your international customers when this happens.
Twenty percent of small businesses said they were likely to switch financial institutions after going through the PPP process. This could be good for community financial institutions.
As businesses reopen and change gears, it may be time for community financial institutions to refine some of their lending processes. We give you three ways to do that.
As coronavirus cases rise, there is renewed concern of a second wave. With this in mind, we give you some actions to consider to fine-tune your operations during this time.
As bankers get back to work in the branch, there are questions to answer. Today, we discuss how to make both customers and employees comfortable in the branch and how to hire virtually.
Some of your customers will need PPP loan forgiveness. We provide you with six pointers to help them through the process.
Community financial institutions are always supporting their communities. Yet, with the recent shift in public sentiment, it could be worthwhile to ensure your community alignment.
A new bankruptcy code, Subchapter V, recently took effect and is available to small businesses. Could this be helpful for your customers?
As states start reopening widely, financial institutions are beginning to resume full operations and reopen some branches. We have a short checklist to get you ready.
As the PPP deadline draws near, opportunities still exist to help small businesses. We explore where to locate more customers, new legislation, and looking beyond PPP.
Due to COVID-19, more seniors have been using digital banking. We provide ways to keep them engaged as digital users.
Not every community financial institution counts wealth management services among its offerings. Yet, if you do, now may be the right time to review this service for greater fee income.
Financial institutions that participated in the PPP should celebrate their successes. Yet, there are also some post-lending tasks to stay on top of.
CRE loans are being impacted by COVID-19 depending on the type. Let's discuss the latest stats and how it may impact your business.
Besides helping out businesses in need, community financial institutions using the PPP for their customers will likely reap other long-term benefits.
Reopening businesses require new protocols -- and it looks like technology will play a major role in these efforts.
Many banks have been assessing their lending criteria and tightening their standards. To show what your peers are doing, we provide you with some highlights of the Fed's latest bank lending practices report.
With COVID-19 and its lockdown effects, acceptance of mobile apps for credit cards has certainly increased. We provide you with some insights to prepare for this trend.
Returning back to the office after the pandemic might not be far off. We share several tips to consider in reopening your branches.
In continued support of businesses, the Fed announced its Main Street Lending Program. We give you the important highlights.
There seem to be physical, economic, and social differences in the way the coronavirus is affecting men and women. We lay some of them out for you.
Small businesses account for about 50% of US GDP. Today, we review the state of small business during this crisis.
Consumer behavior has changed due to the coronavirus. We give you the highlights.
Many lenders have completed loan modifications for their borrowers due to the coronavirus. Determining the loan risk rating and next steps after 90 days.
We answer more important questions today on the coronavirus, including remote customer support, anti-fraud preparation, and PPP assistance.
Some businesses and companies have already started reopening, but things will be different. Office design and practices will change due to COVID-19.
In this 2-part series, we discuss customer and financial institution shifts due to COVID-19 and which ones will last. Today, we look at the customer.
Social media may not be top of mind right now, but, it is a useful communication channel for many of your business customers. We have three effective ways to use social media during COVID-19.
Keeping investments together these days isn't easy for your CRE borrowers. Top three things to do to protect your CRE loan portfolio.
What is the economic outlook for the next three to nine months? Join us as we summarize key elements of job loss and economic recovery and provide tips to translate these conditions into your financial reports.
During this pandemic, communication has focused on being immediate, urgent and short. As things start leveling off a bit, your communications will change too.
Today we answer some important questions around the coronavirus, your customers and your employees.
We like to look at what the big banks are doing to learn what could be done on a smaller scale. So, today, we share how the big banks are managing COVID-19.
Today we continue with the feedback we received from bankers on the most important regulatory concerns due to the coronavirus.
We recently asked community bankers for their top three regulatory concerns with COVID-19. Today is the first of a two-part series highlighting these paramount issues.
A joint statement of the regulatory agencies provides extra considerations for CRA points due to the coronavirus. We give you a summary.
The FOMC made drastic decisions in response to COVID-19 to support the economy. We capture the key points.
The FDIC FAQs for you and your customers are important to review. We give you the highlights.
During this tumultuous time, we wanted to provide you with some initial insights into how the coronavirus may affect housing, jobs and ultimately your business customers.
Loan growth is expected to be challenging this year. We help you whittle down some of the obstacles.
Credit cards for entrepreneurs could be an untapped market for community financial institutions. This insight comes from a few different studies, which we want to highlight today.
The competition for deposits is fierce, as fintechs and big tech enter an already crowded space. There are many ways to compete here, so we thought we could provide you with some suggestions.
While many branches are closing, reassessing and maximizing their value based on your customers' needs is the way to go.
A large percentage of consumers are distrusting of the ability of organizations collecting their data to keep it secure. We provide some ways to reassure your customers.
Data privacy is a big issue these days that seems to be spreading nationwide. We provide you with some insight to help.
The SEC's inaugural report on small business capital development caught our eye. We provide you with some of the highlights.
As community financial institutions know, lending to small businesses can be tricky, especially if they are new ones. We provide some insight on the matter.
Technology can be pretty amazing, but for community financial institutions, it can cause sleepless nights too. We have some suggestions to help.
Social media presents a myriad of challenges for financial institutions. Yet, as your customer demographics shift, it becomes more important. We have some tips.
A risk-based pricing strategy can give community financial institutions a chance to improve market share without also increasing risk.
Some financial institutions are taking a page from Netflix's playbook these days, by analyzing data from individual customers to provide them with extremely tailored offerings. Is this a move for you?
Many community financial institutions haven't seen the growth in small businesses that they'd like. We have some tips.
The FDIC and OCC have proposed changes to CRA regulations. We have an update.
The needs of start-up customers are sometimes different than those of other small businesses. We provide you with some insight on this.
Many younger people are concerned with financial security. Could wealth management be a gateway for millennial customer acquisition?
Consolidation is intensifying competition. We provide some practical approaches for this tough market.
Google recently launched a program for small businesses called Stride. Are they trying to grab your customers?
Negative interest rates are now in discussion in the US. What you should know.
The EXIM lets community banks write bigger lines of credit with less risk and stronger profits. What your institution should know.
Small businesses are the mainstay for community banks. So today, we provide you with an updated small business snapshot.
Even as branches are closing in rural areas, there are ways to support these customers and increase business.
Congress passed the Family Farm Relief Act, which extends Chapter 12 bankruptcy to more farmers with greater debts. What does this mean for you and your ag customers?
Today we provide insight to customer inquiries on bank charters, ADA accommodations and the possible effects of tariffs.
If you are looking for more customers, the unbanked and underbanked may be worth reviewing. We give you some things to think about here.
When it comes to using alternative data, some financial institutions don't trust it very much, while others are tinkering with it. What you should know.
The NY Fed's most recent survey on nonemployer firms shows 43% have unmet funding needs. This could be an opportunity for your institution.
With more SMBs buying and selling overseas as well as traveling internationally, there is a growing demand for foreign bank notes and other international services. Can you meet this demand?
Contact EMV chip technology has its feet firmly planted in the US and adoption continues to increase. We provide the latest news.
McKinsey reports that more people and entities will regularly use international payments in the next 5Ys. Is your institution ready for this?
A number of surveys provide insight into the confidence of small businesses. We give you a summary.
Bank-at-work programs allow busy customers or prospects to easily engage with your financial experts during work hours. Is this something for your bank?
Many community banks are looking to increase their back office efficiency and provide faster availability of funds, with checks between the US and Canada. We explain how this can be done.
Customer fees are a good source of revenue for financial institutions. But, can elective fees work?
Small businesses are at the forefront of international trade. We provide tips to ensure they come to you for international services.
Looking for ideas to enhance communication with your customers? We provide some new insight.
Closing an account is never fun. But, doing it the right way could earn you points with the customer.
Almost 33% of consumers and business owners agree that new technology will lead to safer payments. Subsequently, businesses are increasingly accepting card and digital payments. Can your bank support them?
Trust is incredibly important. It makes employees more productive and customers more loyal. We provide tips to help with both.
"Self-driving" payroll, which is on-demand access to one's pay, is gaining steam, particularly with gig workers, and banks are taking notice.
CRE lending competition is heating up, mainly due to nonbank lenders. We give you an update.
Social media audiences have changed. Is your financial institution paying attention?
A recent study found that 75% of millennials choose their banks based on recommendations from family and friends. We show how to attract millennials through your baby boomer customers.
Contactless payment has struggled in the US. But, it appears that is about to change.
According to the findings of a Nobel-Prize winning economist, what people remember about an experience is the end. We explain how this can help your bank.
Community banks do creative community involvement well. We share a few examples.
There are advantages for farmers and community bankers alike, with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. But much remains unsettled as of yet.
Community banks should be among the beneficiaries of a rule change impacting how the biggest banks calculate their adherence to Liquidity Coverage Ratios, We give you an update.
Banks need to vigilantly train on the signs of elder abuse. We provide additional resources to help.
A top Fed official has a message for banks that have been slow to start switching from using LIBOR as an index - get cracking. We provide the latest update on the LIBOR to SOFR transition.
The findings from a recent study may give bankers food for thought on how they address new products and services. We give you the highlights.
About $30T in wealth is about to transition from baby boomers to their kids in coming years. As older customers pass away or move, their assets can easily get lost in the shuffle. We provide some tips to avoid unclaimed assets.
SMBs have converted to many digital services. Yet, e-invoicing still has not taken off. We provide some insight.
Yield maintenance can be confusing. But, it doesn't have to be. We walk you through it.
No matter your bank's situation, there are still some ways to hunt and win valuable deposit customers.
HSBC and Goldman Sachs have invested in a fintech platform which allows banks to offer products from their rivals. This may sound counterintuitive, but could it help your bank and your customers?
In the business world, checks have been the preferred method of payment for eons. That is definitely changing. How to prepare your business customers.
It doesn't appear that environmental investing and initiatives are going away any time soon. We show some interesting ways banks are going green.
Community bankers support medical professional customers already. However, many in this group need special attention, since their education did not include how to grow their practices, let alone just run a business.
Big data is supposed to give banks' customers exactly what they need at the time they need it. Although this hasn't exactly happened yet, we are making progress
In this competitive market, it is clear that banks need to focus more intently on customer engagement. We provide you with the top four ways to do this.
Have you integrated your digital and nondigital marketing? It may be time.
California recently introduced an anti-displacement code of conduct for financial institutions. Here are some of the things you might want to know.
A B corporation is a business that's been certified for following best practices in balancing purpose with profit. Is this something your bank should pursue?
Although the top five American banks control most of the US market for deposits, there are still things community banks can do - even without raising rates or decreasing lending.
It was recently reported that immigrants to the US now make up nearly one-third of all US entrepreneurs. We provide tips on how to attract and retain this important group of business customers.
Opportunity zones from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may provide community banks with new loans and new customers. We give you an update.
All banks should have the LIBOR-SOFR transition on their list and move it up in importance, as the 2021 deadline draws near. We give you some helpful tips.
Just because some retailers close doesn't mean all of your loans in this sector to all types of retailers are in danger. We give you the rundown on this lending sector.
Chatbots are becoming more sophisticated, and bank customers seem more willing to use them. Is now the time to start using chatbots at your bank?
Forty percent of new entrepreneurs in the US are now women. Yet, they often don't apply for loans. Are there ways to help these business owners grow?
Digital tools have been widely accepted and used by consumers. Are business customers seeing any benefits?
Many customers expect more than great products and services at competitive prices - they expect companies (including banks) to stand for something. Is your bank purpose-driven?
Hospitality lending can be a good niche for many community banks that do it right. There are definitely unique challenges to the sector, but with the right expertise and technology, the profit on high-yielding hotel loans can outweigh the risks.
Small businesses are increasingly selling local, but thinking global. Community banks can increase and build deeper relationships by helping these business customers go international.
Bankers everywhere want to modernize rapidly in order to meet their customers' expectations. To reach that goal, some are seeking fintech partners. What to consider if you find yourself ready for this partnership.
The popularity of HSAs has exploded and roughly 30% of people within the workforce now have them. They can be an attractive line of business for community banks.
The demand for commercial and industrial (C&I) loans is alive and well it seems. Make sure your lending team is ready to pounce.
While 33% of baby boomer business owners plan to transfer ownership within the next 5Ys, 36% have yet to figure out how that will happen. What this means for your bank.
Small business owners have given up around $43k on average in lost opportunities because of insufficient cash flow issues. Here's how your bank can help these customers.
Fifty-eight percent of bankers surveyed last year said they expect to begin using or increasing their use of reciprocal deposits promptly, due to the new S.2155 law provisions. We break down the details for you.
Seniors lose $2.9B annually to financial abuse. We provide ways you can use your ALM process to help protect these customers.
According to the Kauffman Index, the percentage of "encore entrepreneurs" has risen to 24.3% and is the largest gain of any age group. Find out who these entrepreneurs are and how your bank could help them.
Improving customer retention can also enhance customer profitability. You may want to consider some of these ways to boost both.
There are 4.8mm Americans who consider themselves digital nomads. What are they and could there be opportunities here for community bankers?
A tough trend facing community banks in 2019 is the loan vs. deposit funding and NIM squeeze. Are you ready for this challenge?
According to one top advertising agency, we have gone from being exposed to 500 ads a day in the 1970s to more than 5,000 a day today. How can community banks break through that level of noise?
A January 10th survey of economists by the Wall Street Journal finds on average a 25% chance of a recession within the next 12 months. So, what can you do to better prepare?
A recent study found that women aren't necessarily happy with their bank. Holding 51% of personal wealth in the US, this is an important customer group to keep happy.
When it comes to targeting businesses that offer hemp products, things are shifting so bankers should be aware. A new farm bill legalizes hemp, but there are still challenges out there for bankers.
We explain how one bank is using smartwatches to decrease wait times and increase customer satisfaction.
For community banks focused on a "personal touch," supporting a digital 24-7 world is challenging. We give you some tips to help.
The latest Financial Stability Report by the Fed provides insight into borrowing by businesses. Some facts you may want to know.
Banks are starting to take financial literacy efforts to the next level. Is this something your bank should do?
Banks are paying attention to behavioral economic studies as they seek to understand how people make purchases in order to inspire desired actions among their customers. We have some highlights to help.
Community banks and their customers are feeling the effects of the government shutdown, now in its fourth week. We give you a rundown of the situation.
Collections are a hassle for all banks for a host of reasons. Some banks are finding new ways to address this age-old issue.
Competition is growing as agricultural-focused fintech firms (agtech) are entering the market. We offer some tips to help.
According to a study by PayNet and Raddon, small businesses are eager for loans. We provide you with some insight from this report to help you win over these eager customers.
Community banks may want to consider women empowerment programs for a more holistic talent development approach. JPMorgan Chase is leading the way.
The ability to utilize e-signatures and eliminate a large amount of paper can significantly reduce time and costs. Should your bank be making this shift?
Cisco reports that many small and medium-sized businesses can go out of business due to a cyberattack. How to help keep your business customers safe.
Vishing, the fraudulent tactic of phone calling for personal information, is on the rise. Make sure your bank customers aren't fooled.
A 2018 ABA report on community bank CEO priorities reports only 17% of community banks currently offer insurance products. Could this be an opportunity for your bank?
Getting a loan from a large bank can be a challenge for a small business startup. This is good news for community banks.
Half of community banks cite decision speed as a competitive advantage over big banks for small business loans. How to ensure this advantage will last.
Big banks are 2x as likely to accept online small business lending applications, yet only 23% accept them at all. We dig into this and other details from the latest FDIC survey.
How does the sudden rising cost of materials affect construction loans? We offer ways to mitigate this risk, as higher tariffs are absorbed into building projects.
The most recent FDIC survey found that small business lending by banks has been significantly underestimated. We provide the interesting findings.
Global digital payments volumes are expected to increase by nearly 11% through 2020. What community banks should know to guide their business customers on the technology and the providers.
Small business lending is a competitive market. We outline some of the details based on the latest Community Banking in the 21st Century report, including potential opportunities.
Over 70% of small business owners name one of the top big banks as their primary financial institution. How to grab more SMB lending from big banks.
As more people are using bank websites or mobile apps to open accounts or apply for other services, bankers need to continue to improve their web forms. We have some considerations to include.
A community bank's strength is in its customer relationships. So, it seems natural to bring up microsites, to continue enhancing and solidifying these relationships.
According to a recent survey, SMB usage of digital payments surged 38% from 2017. How can your bank leverage this opportunity?
Midwest agriculture has been hit recently. In other parts of the country, however, specialty crops such as apples and avocados are doing fine. We provide details for interested Ag lenders.
When community banks evaluate commercial loan risk exposure, a key element is loan grade. Yet, not all banks have a uniform loan grading system. We present some interesting findings from an FDIC examination.
Export finance might seem risky to some bankers, yet it can benefit your bank and your international business customers. We walk you through it.
According to a recent survey, one in five small to medium business clients said they were ready to leave their banks in the next 20 months. We provide you with their reasoning and show ways to prevent it from happening to you.
Community bankers know they need to prepare for disasters. But, in the wake of Hurricane Florence, we have some important reminders.
Mobile and branch channels can work together for bank efficiency and customer engagement. We provide some tips on how to do this.
Vendor-provided, bank-curated client offerings are still relatively new and they may sound costly. However, they could provide you with another way to engage your business customers.
An ABA survey finds 76% of community banks believe that social media is important to their bank. But, finding the right customers and converting them through social media is easier said than done.
In an era of rising costs, it can be tempting to look at an underused branch and consider reducing hours. However, you may want to consider these things before you do.
In 2017, US companies spent $3.6B on self-storage facilities. We provide you with the latest updates on this lending sector.
Wondering how to keep your deposit customers happy while interest rates rise? Companion deposit accounts may be the answer.
Eighty percent of surveyed respondents said that the experience with any company is as important as its products or services. How to ensure the experience of your bank customers is exceptional.
While cannabis is still illegal in the eyes of the federal government, legislative wheels are turning. We give you an update.
Big banks are bowing to pressure from fintechs and offering fee-free mobile-only accounts. We give you the details on what is happening and how best to compete.
The new 2018 Farm Bill is expected to help farmers and ranchers, which will facilitate ag lending for community banks. We provide the highlights.
Corporate CFOs aren't that much different from small business banking customers. A new Corporate Treasury report provides some insight for community banks.
Lenders are seeing an increased demand for long-term loans. How can community banks satisfy this demand in a rising rate environment?
As competition heats up, keeping the attention of banking customers is critical. Bain & Co. provides a report on "customer episodes". We explain how these episodes may help.
While many small and mid-sized business customers focus within their geographic region, an increasing number are extending well beyond that and selling to customers overseas. We provide you with some ways to help them do this.
While digital banking is pushing checks aside, those who still write checks are a financially mighty group. What you need to know to hold onto these customers.
Banks are always seeking new customers, but how do you go about doing so outside your geographic community? Some community banks are using internet-only branches to do this.
A Deloitte study shows customers that can open new accounts easily and relatively quickly are more loyal. We provide the highlights for you.
Construction lending can be messy and complex. We provide some tips for streamlining.
Aite Group examined how much time commercial lenders devote to core responsibilities. We provide you with some of the results.
Some community banks have found a way to appeal to business customers beyond the usual offerings - using mentoring/advisory services. We provide a few examples.
An annual business banking study found 70% of small firms without a business checking account were denied a business loan in the past 2Ys. We provide insights from this study to help you connect to more business customers.
An OFX study found that 58% of small businesses had international customers. Canada provides small business customers with an opportunity to grow their businesses internationally. How your bank can help.
Some banks are making other applications available through their bank app to add value and bring in more customers. What you should know before jumping in.
Some community banks are shifting from traditional ads to digital ads. Is it worth switching?
Farmers are struggling these days with low market prices. Some advice to help you with your agricultural business customers.
C&I can be profitable and help diversify your loan portfolios. We look at some ways to capture this business.
Small businesses have been seeing business conditions improve according to a NFIB survey. How your bank can leverage these findings.
It is difficult for season business customers to manage through each season and it is not easy for their banker either. Fortunately, there are good approaches to minimizing risk when you lend to seasonal businesses.
Banks in states with legalized marijuana may not want to support these businesses. Tips to spot disguised cannabis customers.
Seventy percent of Americans use social media today. How to optimize your bank's social media presence.
Small-business loan delinquency rates have climbed a bit since their 2013 low. Some tips to manage this rising risk.
More than half of banks report that they are unable to combat and keep up with the rapidly changing nature of fraud schemes. Other highlights from a recent fraud survey.
Community banks have business customers that lease equipment, but they may not come to their bank for funding. Is this a potential opportunity for your bank?
Do your small business customers want to use a remote deposit check service? A recent survey says they might.
The path to positive consideration under CRA may not be clear for many community bankers. We provide some helpful hints.
More community banks are recognizing their small business customers' good works, which can provide them with reciprocal rewards. What some of your peers are doing.
A new survey by the FDIC shows community banks support businesses with both flexibility and rigor. How does your bank compare?
Women are becoming more influential in business. They also control more than half of personal wealth in America, so are a growing client segment. Key opportunities abound for wealth management and small business loans.
82% of community banks currently offer small-dollar unsecured loans according to the Fed. Is this still a good idea?
Facebook emerges as a new competitor for banks as it partners with Clearbanc. What community banks should know.
An Aite Group study finds different small business sizes approach loans in different ways. Does your bank need to change its lending tactics in light of this?
Community banks have a history of helping their communities during crises. Some inspiring examples of this support following the recent disasters.
Lessons learned for community bankers from the recent natural disasters.
Could asking more questions help bankers get more business? What one recent case study shows.
Technology can blur the sense of connection between a bank and its customer. How community banks can stay connected in the tech age.
Person-to-person payments are hot with small and midsized businesses. A new study gives bankers more insight.
When natural disasters strike, community banks are deeply affected in the short term. Steps banks can take to assist rebuilding of neighborhoods and strengthening customer loyalty.
Aite Group finds different small business sizes approach loans in different ways. What your bank should know.
