Strategy

Regional banks are increasingly turning to digital tools to differentiate themselves. Simple examples range from integrating tools such as Yodlee's account aggregation and financial wellness tools into your digital platform to a stretch goal such as an omnichannel digital strategy. Investment in digital tools that fit your value proposition aimed at achieving specific goals (vs. “digital transformation”) can achieve simultaneously cost reduction and service enhancement results by  streamlining onboarding, enhancing fraud prevention, or enabling hyper-personalized…

My outlook for banks and financials in 2025 can be summed up as one of cautious optimism.  While the market has expressed premature ebullience over Trump’s election, which definitely included strength in financial stocks, there are many loose and important ends still buried in uncertainties.  A sea change in variables is likely to unfold. Regulatory Relief:  Banks and financials will clearly benefit from a shift in tone and substance on the regulatory front.  Capital requirements…

Most banks have a formal succession planning process. They have named successors for the truck scenario (short-term), medium-term, and long-term. The same names typically show up in many boxes. The process is intact, but the results are not entirely realistic.Many banks are also experiencing many impending retirements as a generation of bank leaders is aging out. At the same time, while showing much promise, many potential successors are not ready yet to take on the…