The CFPB is on Life Support —But Compliance Shouldn’t Be
By Tom Oscherwitz In recent weeks, the Trump administration has significantly reduced funding for federal financial regulators. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is struggling to operate, with its staff unable to access their headquarters, supervisory exams suspended, and enforcement cases being abandoned. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) fired 700 employees on the last…
A Night of Hope: Michigan Banks Support Families Facing Blood Cancer
By Greg O’Neil On the evening of April 25, 2025, the historic Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, transformed into a beacon of compassion and community. I had the honor of attending a fundraising gala for the Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan (BCFM), an event that drew powerful support from across the banking and legal…
Is There a Playbook for Romance Scams? Often YES.
By Stuart Best and Sara Costanzo An attractive stranger with a fake name and profile photo reaches out online and strikes up a connection. He/she sends messages daily. The stranger quickly profess his/her love for you. The stranger builds up a sense of trust. Then, the trap is set. The stranger start asking for money…
The M&A Landscape: Don’t Get Burned by Your Technology Contract
By Rich Carty Contracts and Bank Sales: Key Negotiation Insights for Executives What should boards of directors and executives consider when negotiating with their major technology vendors if they are considering an acquisition, or planning to sell their bank in the next several years? Recently, a CEO client approached us to manage her technology contract…
What New U.S. Banknotes Mean for Banks’ Counterfeit Prevention
By Rachel Gruber Even though we are only a few months into 2025, banks and other financial institutions (FIs) in the U.S. must already be looking ahead to a major shift in cash security. Starting in early 2026, the U.S. Federal Reserve will begin rolling out a new series of banknotes every two years, first…
Double-Sided Spoofing: What to Know About the Latest Fraud Threat Targeting Commercial Banking Customers
By Jaime Macumber Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, evolving their tactics faster than most organizations can keep up. New Federal Trade Commission data reveals a 25 percent increase in financial losses due to fraud over the previous year, primarily because of the rising success of more elaborate imposter scams. One of the latest threats targeting…
Leveraging Payment Sovereignty & Growth Opportunities To Help Banks Be More Competitive
By Emmanuel Proust Banks and financial institutions in the U.S. continue to face significant challenges in order to remain competitive. Their ability to overcome these hurdles, while understanding where the opportunities for expansion can be identified through advanced payment technologies, will be critical to realize growth in the coming years. Furthermore, the diverse U.S. payments…
ATM Total Cost of Ownership
By Joe Woods Over the past 15 years, ATM “change events” (ADA compliance, Windows operating system migrations, EMV, ATM manufacturer mandated end-of-life replacements, and continual software security mandates) have compelled many banks to look at more efficient and simple ways to manage their ATM fleets. One of the strategies for many banks is ATM outsourcing,…
What Started in Mason Didn’t Stay in Mason: Dart Bank’s 100-Year Story
In a time when banks have increasingly leaned into automating their services, Dart Bank has doubled down on its belief that technology and personal relationships can go hand in hand. What started as a small community bank in Mason, Michigan has grown into a thriving financial institution with multiple locations across the state and a…
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,…