2025’s Top Challenges and Opportunities for Community Banks
By Allison Maddock Continued adoption of open banking, enhanced cybersecurity and evolving regulatory concerns shape what financial institutions must consider when developing their strategies. However, these areas also represent a tremendous opportunity for those who adapt. CSI’s Banking Priorities Survey—which asked a cross section community bankers nationwide about their strategies and priorities for 2025—explored both,…
Great Lake Banker Magazine
Unlocking SMB Growth: Why Banks Need a Dedicated Loan Origination System for SMB Success
By Adam Bieser Over 33 million businesses in the US are categorized as Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). These SMBs are the backbone of the economy, employing 35% of the private-sector workforce. However, a recent OnDeck survey reported that 70% of these SMBs had less than four months of operating cash on hand. Furthermore, a…
Section 1033 Final Rule Provides Community Banks with the Perfect Innovation Opportunity
By Bradley Wallace After more than a year of debate and uncertainty, the Notice of Final Ruling on section 1033 is finally here. The vast majority of community banks—with the exception of those with fewer than $850 million in assets—now face a compliance timeline of about two to five years depending on asset size. But…
Havana National Bank Approaches 150th Anniversary
The Havana National Bank, opened for business on May 17, 1875, has proudly served west-central Illinois for almost 150 years. Located along the east banks of the Illinois River in Havana, Illinois, the Bank ended that day with $95,082.31 in total assets, approximately half of which came from capital stock purchased by its nine original…
Building a Data-Driven Culture: The Key to Sustainable Success
A cutting-edge banking data platform can revolutionize a bank’s data quality, but it must be paired with the right organizational mindset to truly support it. A successful transformation hinges on a top-down approach that empowers every employee to take ownership of the data they work with. Technology is a key enabler of transformation, but technology…
The Roles of the Branch: Why Design, Placement and Merchandising are Critical to Success
Renowned management theorist Henry Mintzberg, a professor at Montreal’s McGill University, first published his framework of managerial roles in his 1973 book, The Nature of Managerial Work. Professor Mintzberg delineated 10 distinct roles of a manager, grouped into three categories: interpersonal (figurehead, leader, liaison); informational (monitor, disseminator, spokesperson); and decisional (entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator,…
The Path to Digital Wallet Adoption: Streamlining Consumer Education
By Mark Van Horn Digital wallets are emerging as a cornerstone of modern banking, offering significant potential to redefine customer engagement and streamline financial operations. Yet, for many regional banks, especially those in the Great Lakes area, barriers to adoption persist. These include consumer misunderstandings about digital wallets’ capabilities, fragmented messaging, and a lack of…
What Does the Future Hold for Cannabis Banking?
By Tony Repanich As the United States navigates a new presidential administration and Congress, the cannabis banking industry is once again at a crossroads. This pivotal moment brings anticipation and uncertainty, particularly regarding the regulatory landscape that shapes the sector. Key questions loom: Will federal reform become a priority? Could the new attorney general challenge…
Cybersecurity: Preparing Your Bank’s Board for 2025
By Raj Patel As board directors, your role in fostering a secure and resilient culture within your bank should consider the rise of AI technologies, the shifting regulatory landscape with the retirement of the FFIEC’s Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT), and the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats expected in 2025. However, your biggest threat might be believing…
Strengthening Local Banking Through Strategic Credit Card Issuing Programs
By: Anil Goyal In today’s dynamic financial landscape, community banks are uniquely positioned to offer personalized service and local decision-making—advantages that national card issuing institutions struggle to provide. However, with growing customer expectations and intensifying competition from large banks and fintechs, community banks must adapt and find new ways to enhance their offerings while staying…