Well, it's been a slightly busy week and a half hasn't it!? Only a little bit of news that has market impact, right? Seriously, there's been quite a few things moving in the markets and whenever there's news you can use...we bring in Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities to help us get our arms around the material. Be sure to check out ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities Be sure to sign up for ICBA Live in Nashville this coming March https://www.icba.org/events/icba-live/registration

This is sort of a part 2 to the last time we had Eric on discussing collaboration. As you can tell, I love talking to Eric and his insights from his career are always insightful and inspiring to me as I hope they are to you. I love this idea of accountability. It takes a lot of work and a lot of pride swallowing sometimes but that's the point in a way. Asking yourself do you believe enough in yourself, your team, the mission to own a mistake. It's easy to own the wins...there's no shortage of people claiming a piece of a win but it gets awfully quiet when numbers or results don't quite hit the target. Be sure to check out Eric on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-alexander-58b3005a/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities! https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Whenever there's economic news that matters to community banks, why not turn to the experts. Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities, is on today to summarize and contextualize today's economic news. To learn more about the Balance Sheet Academy referenced in the show, check out https://www.icba.org/events/details/2024/10/28/icba-securities/balance-sheet-academy

Eric Alexander with Six Arrows Consulting is back to talk about collaboration in banking. This will be, likely, a two-part series on tearing down those infernal silos we have in banking. Long time listeners will know that the "silo-ing" in banking is one of my biggest pet peeves and Eric's approach to team building, collaboration, and culture from within the financial area of the bank (not often associated with such terms!!!) is why I really value his input. You maaaaaay also notice a little different intro on this episode! Eric is another musical banker and he had previously recorded his arrangement of the old hymn "Fairest Lord Jesus". So, in the interest of collaborating with fellow musical bankers, I thought I would share his work. Finally, in the episode, Eric issues a challenge to you...first, you have to listen for it, but email your responses to me at [email protected] and let's see what happens when we ask those question! Be sure to follow Eric on LinkedIn and check out his site at https://sixarrowsconsulting.com/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities: https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

You go to a convention or you see a brand new shiny product on LinkedIn and it sounds great. But do you need it? Truth is...I can't really answer that for you. You make that call. But the question DOES arise...how do you know if you need it? How do you even know what data can do to figure out if it's even something that strategically works for you. It's a question that Tim Dively with CliftonLarsonAllen and I have batted around several times over the past few weeks and I wanted to get him on the podcast and help us wade through those waters. Be sure you check out their digital services at https://godigital.claconnect.com/ And don't forget to check out our sponsor, ICBA Securities at https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

We're continuing our theme around banking with a purpose...what does community involvement really look like? What are some cool stories from community banks that are affecting real change in their local communities? Danny Kelly is the CEO of Hometown Bank in Oneonta, AL. You may remember him from a previous Main Street Banking episode and their really cool use of YouTube. Well, being a subscriber, I came across a video about their community partnerships and the projects that they are working on. It's really powerful stuff. You can watch the video here https://youtu.be/74wWWFsQxXA?si=aHMfReSVZHYz7XAD And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securites, which you can learn more about here https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Sharon Anderson is the CEO/President of Williamstown Bank in Williamstown WV. In February of 2020, they implemented a community-driven coffee business similar to what you have seen on this podcast before and, to date, have nearly raised $50,000 that goes directly to charities in the local community. As someone who has watched this from Memphis, it is truly one of those "feel good" stories...but more than that (and to borrow Williamstown Bank's marketing) it's what banking can be. If you'd like to read more about The Giving Cup, check out https://www.williamstownbank.com/services/the-giving-cup/ And always, thank you to our sponsor, ICBA Securities: https://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Well...it's been an interesting couple of weeks in the markets and in the interest rate world. We've just gotten some job data and whenever there is news in these arenas...we bring in Jim Reber, CEO of ICBA Securities, to shed some light on the confusion and explain what's going on. Be sure to check out https://www.icba.org/icba-securities to learn more about their Virtual Bond School that Jim mentions in the show.

BSA and AML...often the least engaging material in banking education but it doesn't always need to be nor should it be ignored. Justin Fischer is the CEO of RiskScout and doing some amazing work in the BSA/AML field with new and innovative ways to make this important area approachable and useful. Check them out at https://www.riskscout.com/ And many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, which you can find athttps://www.icba.org/icba-securities

Shamim Okolloh is the VP for Community Outreach or Encore Bank in Little Rock...a second year student at the Barret Graduate School of Banking...and now a co-writer of an extremely important book in our industry. And it's a book she's co-written with her favorite co-writer...her son! It's a book inspiring kids (and particularly girls of color) to become commercial bankers! And it has opened up some amazing opportunities for discussions about banking, financial literacy, banking as a career...it's just awesome! Go check out the book at https://www.ellathebanker.com/ And, as always, many thanks to our sponsor, ICBA Securities, for helping us present this type of content! Check them out at...https://icba.org/icba-securities

Does leading meetings or meeting with clients or writing reports/memos fill you with anxiety or has it ever done so? I'll admit it...it does me! You can't help how things like that bother you BUT you can change how you deal with it. And to have someone with Justin's resume and experience sharing some of his "tips and tricks" that he teaches at the Barret Graduate School of Banking...well...it let's us know that we're not alone. Be sure to follow Justin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-muscolino/ JTM Compliance Training at: https://jtmcompliancetraining.com/ And many thanks to our sponsors, ICBA Securities! Check them out at https://icbasecurities.com/