Independent Banker

JULY 31, 2022

Before 2022, says Thomas Grottke, managing director at Crowe LLP, “a lot of factors were going right. I counsel my community banks to be careful about extreme growth in rising rate environments,” says Jim Adkins, managing partner at Artisan Advisors in Barrington, Ill. Consider your branch strategy. Connors, Jr.,

Strategy 135

Strategy Community Bank Louisville Community 135

Jeff For Banks

FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Another day, another convoluted organizational structure that includes “small business bankers” that are dispersed into the branch network to shore up branch capabilities. If not small business bankers, it’s “cash management officers”, or “business development officers”. Develop your branch staff. But you get the picture.

Training 60

Training Strategy Branch Strategies Management 60

Jeff For Banks

MAY 31, 2017

I also believe that branches can be developed as competitive advantages for community financial institutions. Much like the credit union CEO thinks his branching strategy differentiates his CU. But, as our current strategy execution stands, there is much work to be done. Make your branches look the part.

Branch Strategies 60

Branch Strategies DC Groups Fintech 60

Independent Banker

MARCH 15, 2015

Certainly for the largest banks, contact centers are evolving into digital retail centers, managing new digital channels to handle more customer support activities previously conducted in-person at branches. Hiring a third-party contact center to manage “after hour” customer inquiries could be another early step.

Community Bank 70

Community Bank Community Operations Retail 70

Jeff For Banks

DECEMBER 1, 2015

But let’s not forget that we have past experiences with a “light branch”; namely the declining in-store branches. These branches were notorious for being low-balance transaction-oriented branches that did not enjoy great success. mBank’s light branch depicted above is located in a mall.

Pennsylvania 60

Pennsylvania Community Bank Community Taxes 60