Digital Lessons from Across the Pond: Reimagining U.S. Banking Through the UK Model
By Mark Van Horn The UK’s digital banking sector today is viewed as a global leader for customer-centric innovation and streamlined digital services. In 2025, nearly 40% of UK adults now have a digital-only bank account—nearly triple the figure from just four years earlier.¹ This shift reflects not only the growing trust in digital banking…
How Community Banks Can Use AI to Win Back Younger Customers
By Todd P. Michaud Bankers have become fascinated with AI, and that fascination only intensified since late 2022 as tools like ChatGPT have become both powerful and widespread. Bankers are interested in utilizing safe, secure AI tools that increase efficiency in the broadest sense. This is for good reason. In an environment of growing economic…
Preparing Teens for Fall 2025: A Financial Launchpad for College and Beyond
By Kevin O’Keefe As families prepare for the fall 2025 semester, one persistent challenge looms large: helping teens achieve financial independence without falling into the student debt trap. Young adults leave home learning to manage class schedules, meet deadlines, work part-time, and develop basic money management skills. This period can significantly affect future credit opportunities…
AI in Banking: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
By Raj Patel “Only 25% of financial institutions use AI to reinforce their competitive position. The remainder are stuck in isolated pilots rather than pursuing comprehensive strategies.” — Boston Consulting Group Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept for banks—it’s here, and it’s reshaping the financial industry at breakneck speed. But like any…
Timely Financial Considerations for New Small Business Ownership
By Michael Stodolak Changes in career fields and the economy may encourage more people to pursue a new path. Whether driven by corporate layoffs, burnout, or a simple desire for greater independence, many individuals are considering starting their own business. Across the Great Lakes region, states are experiencing a steady stream of new business applications;…
Balancing AI-Driven AML With Human Control
By Jessica Tirado Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just for big banks anymore. One compelling use case for community financial institutions: reducing the cost, effort, and headache of AML compliance. An AI-powered AML solution can automatically review millions of transactions overnight, surface unusual activity, and even draft a suspicious activity report (SAR) while your analysts sleep….
Exploring the Intersection of Community Banking and Cutting-Edge Lending Technology
An Interview with Cynthia Miller, Cync Software Great Lakes Banker Publisher Greg O’Neil sat down with Cynthia Miller of Cync Software on the subject of how the latest technology is shaping community banking. Q: Cynthia, you started your career as a community banker. How did that journey evolve into building lending technology products? A: I…
Experience Matters: The ROI of a Refreshed Bank Branch
By Tom Kennedy Digital banking may be faster, but it hasn’t replaced the physical branch. Instead, it has redefined its purpose and value in the customer experience. While mobile and online banking continue to grow, research shows that customers still value in-person experiences for important financial decisions. In fact, a recent J.D. Power study revealed…
Is it Time to Realign Your Legacy Consumer Liquidity Strategy? Yes—Now More Than Ever.
By Tim Barrett With rising consumer expectations, growing competition, and ongoing economic uncertainty, banks can no longer rely on outdated, one-size-fits-all overdraft programs or legacy small-dollar loan offerings. Yet many institutions are still using ad hoc or legacy systems that lack transparency, adaptability, and actionable insight. If your overdraft system assigns limits or manages old…
Bank-Directed Account Opening: A Strategic Imperative for Community Banks
By Amruta Dongre Community banks are uniquely positioned to offer personal, relationship-driven banking experiences. However, they often face stiff competition from larger institutions and fintech companies that have invested heavily in digital capabilities. One critical area where community banks can gain a competitive edge is in the account opening process—specifically, automating and streamlining their bank-directed…