One community bank’s fight against a mass text scam
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Today's episode features a crossover from ABA's brand new podcast series: ABA Fraudcast: Cyber and Fraud with Paul Benda. Community banks can be targets of large-scale fraud, just like larger banks. On the inaugural episode of the ABA Fraudcast, former ABA Chair Dan Robb, president and CEO of Jonesburg State Bank in Missouri, describes the recent targeting of his bank by fraudsters who texted thousands of residents of his community, seeking access to customer accounts. What followed for Robb and his team were fast lessons on all the areas his bank was prepared for, and a few challenges that...
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How boards can position their banks to navigate change
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
From AI and crypto to complex regulatory challenges and increasingly diverse markets, bank executives face increasingly complex strategic decisions — and so do bank boards as they set and oversee the strategic direction for their banks. And yet, the average age of bank directors is 76, and many do not have expertise in these critical challenges affecting banks. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, veteran bank board members and executives Jenn Docherty and Virginia Varela discuss how bank boards can position their banks for success in a challenging environment. They...
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The behavioral psychology of the Christmas savings club
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
In this holiday bonus episode — — host Evan Sparks digs into the Banking Journal archives to learn more about the “Christmas Club” savings vehicle, and what this financial product says about human psychology and behavioral economics. .
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Making the feeling ‘mutual’ for a new generation of bank customers
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
“Well, your money’s in Joe’s house, that’s right next to yours. And in the Kennedy House, and Mrs. Macklin’s house, and, and a hundred others. Why, you’re lending them the money to build, and then, they’re going to pay it back to you as best they can.” Seventy-eight years ago, George Bailey memorably explained the operation of a mutual savings and loan to a national audience in It’s a Wonderful Life. But while today’s bankers understand mutuality, do today’s potential clients? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast...
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Opportunities in the Congressional Review Act, the ‘other CRA’
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
The rarely used Congressional Review Act provides an opportunity for Congress and the president to overturn regulatory rulemakings — and the GOP trifecta in 2025 will bring new regulations up for review. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — — ABA experts Kirsten Sutton and Ginny O’Neill break down details about CRA that bankers need to know: Which rulemakings are subject to CRA disapproval resolutions — in financial services, principally and the . How the GOP Congress might prioritize regulatory actions for CRA resolutions. The...
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What you need to know about beneficial ownership and customer due diligence in 2025
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Saved by the bell? Millions of American businesses faced a January 1 deadline to register their beneficial owners with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network — until a federal judge yesterday stopping FinCEN from enforcing the deadline. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — — ABA experts Heather Trew and Jonathan Blum discuss: What bankers and their business clients need to know about the preliminary injunction and its provisions. How the preliminary injunction does not affect financial institutions’ customer due diligence requirements —...
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Memory, nostalgia and the power of sonic branding
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Advertising jingles: corny or clever? “Imagine the repetition over years in a community that hears it regularly,” says Clark Hook of Financial Marketing Solutions. “It’s whether you love or hate jingles, you cannot deny the power of that mnemonic device to put attribution to the things you’re putting into the world.” On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — — we take a look at bank jingles past and present. Expert bank marketers discuss: How and why community banks still find value in their jingles. The use of “sonic branding” and audio...
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Why middle market businesses are growing more optimistic
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
Middle market businesses don’t get the attention of the Fortune 500 or the love that small businesses get from policymakers, but these firms are still — accounting for a third of private-sector GDP and employing up to 50 million Americans. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — — KeyBank commercial bank president Ken Gavrity discusses the outlook for the middle market, defined as businesses with annual revenues of $10 million to $1 billion. Among other topics, Gavrity discusses: Why middle market business leaders have . How middle...
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Tax reform comes into focus for 2025
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
The Republican sweep of the presidency and Congress, with extremely narrow control of the House, sets up tax policy as a major issue in 2025. With many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiring at the end of next year and tax policy changes able to be passed on a simple-majority basis through budget reconciliation, bankers can expect to see tax policy front and center. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — — ABA VP Joey Connor discusses what to expect from the tax policy debate in 2025, including: The priority of extending Section 199(a)...
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Strategies to help America’s agricultural producers
ABA Banking Journal Podcast
With commodity prices falling and producer expenses rising, it’s a difficult moment for America’s agricultural economy. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — — Dakota Mac loan production officer Caleb Hopkins discusses strategies ag lenders are using to support their clients through this cycle. As chair of ABA’s Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee, Hopkins also provides a preview of the upcoming . .
info_outlineHow do community banks balance the need for cutting-edge technology and the human touch? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Alkami — Pamela Montpelier of Ballston Spa National Bank talks about how a laser-like focus on customer experience can help drive growth. Among other topics, Montpelier discusses the use of AI-based tools to improve decision-making and help bank employees replace manual processes with time spent engaging clients. She also talks about her experience working with a variety of banks as a service provider executive, prior to which she was the youngest female bank CEO in Massachusetts.