Plugged In - A Banking Podcast

Mike Daniels, the chairman and CEO of Nicolet Bank and Green Bay Packers’ board member, talks to Al and Steve about what it takes for a community bank to flourish right now and the NFL offseason.

They also chat about how to preserve company culture when the business is scaling and offer tips on what not to do in pursuing deposits. Also, Mike provides a peek at what it’s like banking in America’s dairy land.

In today's episode, Steve and Al talk with Gene Ludwig, former Comptroller of the Currency and a banking regulation, risk management, and fiscal policy expert. Gene shares some powerful insights into modernizing the banking industry. They discuss the importance of smart regulation that helps to balance banking activities and technological advancements, the need for regulators to have the tools to manage tail risks quickly and avoid being caught off guard, and the need to have a mechanism that gives regulators and the public time to act in a crisis.

It’s action packed in banking right now as regulatory uncertainty mounts with the looming presidential election.

Today on the show, Al and Steve pick the brain of Nitin Mhatre, the CEO of Berkshire Bank, on the most pressing issues in banking. They explore the tension of a bank changing for the times while preserving its relationship-driven company culture, how to recruit senior talent and the importance of investing in technology. They also get into some of the cool initiatives the bank has pursued, including offering a bank account that comes with an unusual perk – paying up to $15 per month for subscriptions like Hulu and Netflix for certain direct deposit customers.

Al also brings up the big reunion: the Oasis tour. Steve starts humming.

Lake City Bank has managed to grow its book value per share even amid some of the thorniest industry challenges.

David Findlay, Chairman and CEO of Lake City Bank, talks to Al and Steve about why the bank is creating an innovation and tech center in Indiana, the significance of elevating the retail banker role and the importance of community outreach, including by making a move a big bank wouldn’t: maintaining rural branches.

But his secret sauce? It’s literal: Don’s Rib Sauce at Alcona Country Club in Elkhart, Indiana.

As Jeff Jackson, the CEO of WesBanco, sees it, M&A activity can only go up.

In this episode, Al and Steve chat with Jeff about why that is and what is at stake for community banks across the country.

They also explore other banking classics, including what the future of delivery in banking looks like, how to retain employees and what has helped the bank grow its deposits in a competitive year. They also opine on another passion: college football.