Mid-Year M&A Review

Posted inOperations
Bank M&A floodgates haven’t opened yet. Or, rather, the gates are open but most banks aren’t rushing to capitalize upon the meaningful changes in regulatory posture regarding bank M&A. Interest in consolidation hasn’t waned, but increasing uncertainty is damping banks’ eternal eagerness to get better by getting bigger, rather than getting bigger by being better (a quote from Dick Kovacevich that I’ll never forget). Concerns about inflation, fueled by wild gyrations in oil particles thanks…

Credit trends among community and regional banks

Posted inFinance
Community bank credit trends are particularly confusing these days. While the credit picture is rarely crustal clear, we are witnessing historic low net charge offs coupled with high industry concentrations. For example, trucking is a dominant sector in some watch lists, and contractors are at the top of others’ watch lists. Amitabh Bhargava analyzed Q1 2026 earnings transcripts from 65 community banks and compiled the following key themes for banks under $200B in assets: The…

Another “Take” on unique differentiation through human ingenuity – COMO resorts vs. Six Senses, Bumthang, Bhutan

Posted inOperations
You might be tired if hearing about my travels; bear with me just this one time. The ensuing content is relevant to all of us. The story I’m about to share is one that you’ve all experienced numerous times in your life. It’s the story of selecting a brand because of a specific event or experience which, in turn, yields a lifetime of revenue to the brand chosen. My experience has been that the selection…