AI, third-party risk and the future of partner banking
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
The rapid evolution of the financial services marketplace means the market for banking as a service is also evolving rapidly. From artificial intelligence to other new technologies to regulatory expectations, how is the partner bank sector shifting? On the season premiere of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Pathward Bank CEO Brett Pharr talks about the Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based partner bank’s strategy. Among other things, Pharr discusses: The evolution of the business model beyond interchange to include embedded finance, faster payments and other opportunities. The criticality of...
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Demographic trends shaping the U.S. banking outlook
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
The U.S. is experiencing a massive demographic shift driven by the aging Baby Boom generation, and shifts in immigration trends. What effect will aging have on the banking outlook? In the season finale of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, ABA economist JP Rothenberg discusses how America’s aging population: Shifts balance sheet management strategies with a surplus of stable deposits by weaker localized loan demand. May increasingly push banks into new markets to drive loan growth, which further accelerates consolidation. Magnifies credit risk during downturns in the tail of the risk...
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How institutional banking helps build one regional bank’s strategy
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Alongside the commercial and consumer markets, institutional banking is one of three strategic pillars of $70 billion-asset UMB Bank. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, UMB’s Phil Mason discusses: How institutional banking — which includes capital markets, corporate trust, custody and health savings accounts — fits into the business model of the Kansas City, Missouri-based bank and helps extend its footprint coast-to-coast. Investments in technology to support the growth of institutional banking. The and how UMB Bank uses the product to engage both business...
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The future of careers in risk and compliance
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
What does the future hold for bank risk and compliance professionals? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Krysti Cunningham of Security National Bank in Omaha, Nebraska — and winner of the 2025 — discusses: The technological transformation in risk and compliance at community and midsize banks. How technological change is driving the industry toward specialization. Applications for AI tools and LLMs in risk and compliance — and how to manage risks associated with this transformation. The importance of constant learning as a risk and compliance professional.
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Breaking down the bank-related provisions in the big budget bill
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Following the of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, hear from ABA experts on how on tax policy, rural real estate and health savings accounts in the budget reconciliation law will affect banks. Experts also discuss what to expect next in terms of implementation. Resources
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Inside ABA’s new Treasury Check Verification System API
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
ABA’s to provide members with free access to the Treasury Check Verification System is now live. On a special joint episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast and ABA Fraudcast — presented by — ABA anti-fraud experts Paul Benda and Hannah Ibberson discuss the platform and how banks can put it to use. Among other topics, Benda and Ibberson discuss: The scale of physical U.S. Treasury checks and why they remained a potential vector for fraud How and why ABA developed the platform How ABA member bank employees — including frontline staff — can access the portal to verify a payee Ways...
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Staying close to clients amid tariff-driven volatility
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Amid tariff-related volatility, how are small and midsize businesses and the banks that serve them faring? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by — John Buran, the president and CEO of Queens-based Flushing Financial discusses how tariff and trade policy-related volatility has compounded commercial client uncertainty based on interest rates over recent months and why uncertainty has slowed loan growth and investment. However, Buran also notes that lending has improved in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, “possibly...
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Old National's Jim Ryan on the things that really matter
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Jim Ryan has led Old National Bank through a massive wave of growth — through major mergers and organic growth, the Evansville, Indiana-based bank has reached $70 billion in assets and a footprint that extends from Minnesota to Tennessee. The bank has grown by 250% since Ryan moved into the CEO role in 2019. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by — Ryan discusses: The bank’s growing profile, including its new marketing partnership with the . Why the bank remains committed to its hometown of Evansville, even as it grows into a more...
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What bankers need to know about ‘First Amendment audits’
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
So-called “First Amendment auditors” have long filmed themselves trying to provoke police and other public officials into stopping them from recording in public settings. Now, some auditors are targeting banks, filming for hours outside bank branches and seeking to goad bank employees into calling law enforcement. The latest episode — presented by — features tips from bankers and security professionals on how to handle a First Amendment auditor at a bank location while protecting bank employees and customers. Read more in the . from ABA’s Bank Security Committee.
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Accelerating banking for quick-service restaurants
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
As independently owned and operated small businesses, fast-food restaurant franchisees have unique business needs. They have mobile and often part-time workforces, complex inventory management and the constant challenge of managing both a small business and being the face of a major brand. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by — Wendell Bontrager talks about how Sonata Bank is working with this unique market segment. For example, “we can come in at fractional costs to provide them things like telehealth, mobile phone insurance, pet insurance,...
info_outlineFamily-owned businesses — especially those crossing the mark of $10 million in annual revenue — often have unique banking needs. They have the freedom to make long-term investments, but they also face challenges associated with funding for growth, complex family dynamics and the need to manage liquidity events for family members, says Mikel Williamson, the newly appointed president and CEO of First Bank in the St. Louis area.
On the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by R&T Deposit Solutions — Williamson discusses how $6.7 billion-asset First Bank — itself a family-owned enterprise — supports this sector through its Center for Family-Owned Businesses and wealth planning options. He also discusses the bank’s investment in core transformation and open digital banking architecture and his background in Texas banking before joining First Bank earlier this year.