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…
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…