Why Community Banks Should Write the Rules on Innovation, Not Follow Them
By Tara Schultz Community banks have more innovation paths available to them than ever before. The challenge isn’t just finding options—it’s making strategic choices that actually serve their markets. There’s no one-size-fits-all innovation strategy for community banks, yet too often the industry conversation pushes toward universal ideologies: Build everything in-house, overhaul entire foundational systems or…
What the Rise of Digital Wallets Means for Community Financial Institutions
By Tina Zulich As mobile-first behavior continues to reshape consumer payment habits, digital wallets are quickly becoming the norm, with more customers turning to their phones to handle everyday transactions. For community banks, this shift requires evolving alongside customers and reimagining what trusted, local banking looks like in a digital world. The Evolution of Digital…
The ‘Halo Effect’ of Financial Services Headquarters:
Why Smart Banks and FinTechs Are Choosing Locations Near Complementary Ecosystems By: Jessica Del Vecchio For decades, the site selection calculus for a major financial services institution, be it a legacy bank or a disruptive FinTech, has been dominated by two primary, often isolated, factors: proximity to market data feeds and exchanges, and access to…
FISCAL PRESENTS: Shedding New Light on Commercial Lending
Commercial lending is a big part of what sets community banks apart from megabank competitors as irreplaceable contributors to a thriving Main Street economy. The community bank focus on relationships starts with building strong connections one customer, and one loan, at a time, but it doesn’t end there. Investing local deposits in local businesses creates…
Jonathan E. Lauderbach Joins 1st State Board
SAGINAW, Mich.,—Jonathan E. Lauderbach has been named to the 1st State Bank Board of Directors, according to Phillip List, 1st State Bank Chairman. Lauderbach is a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, a Grand Rapids based law firm, with operations in Midland where he practices as a commercial litigator. He previously served as a…
OCB Names Shelley Edgington SVP, Client Experience Operations
OREGON, Wis.,—One Community Bank has promoted Shelley Edgington to Senior Vice President – Client Experience Operations. In this new role, she will focus on the operational efficiency of the client experience area of the bank. “Shelley will lead initiatives to enhance retail operational efficiencies, direct retail audit processes, and refine workflows and procedures. Her leadership…
AgriBank CEO Jeffrey Swanhorst to Retire in 2027
ST. PAUL, Minn.,—AgriBank Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Swanhorst plans to retire in mid-2027, according to a statement from AgriBank. “Upon his retirement, Jeff will have devoted more than 44 years to the Farm Credit System,” said Chris Roberts, chair of the AgriBank Board of Directors. “I am confident I speak for countless colleagues across our…
First Federal Names Wierschem President & CEO
Schaefer Appointed Executive Chairman WAUKESHA, Wis.,—First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, has promoted Steve Wierschem to President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. In conjunction with this transition, Edward H. Schaefer, former Chief Executive Officer, will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of First Federal Bank of Wisconsin. Schaefer will continue to…
Dennis Shaffer to Retire from Civista
Chuck Parcher Named Next CEO SANDUSKY, Ohio,—Dennis Shaffer, President and CEO of Civista Bancshares, Inc. and CEO of Civista Bank, will retire effective August 28, 2026, shortly after his 64th birthday. At that time, Charles ‘Chuck’ Parcher, current President of Civista Bank, will assume the role of President and CEO of Civista Bancshares, Inc. and…
Portage Appoints Lisa R. Ohler Chief Lending Officer
RAVENNA, Ohio,—Portage Community Bank, subsidiary of Portage Bancshares, Inc., has promoted Lisa R. Ohler to Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. In this role, she will provide strategic leadership and oversight to commercial and consumer lending, driving sustainable loan growth while ensuring strong portfolio quality, sound risk management, and full regulatory compliance. Lisa joined…