First Mutual Holding Co.’s Post

"When you think of establishing wealth, that’s hard for unbanked individuals to do from scratch, especially with high-cost, non-bank alternatives available like check cashing services or payday loans. The reliance on these costly alternatives often results in significant lifetime fees, estimated at around $40,000, causing a potential loss of $360,000 in lifetime generational wealth. This 10-year initiative was designed to break down some of the myths and barriers that exist around traditional banking services. But it's also about helping people understand the importance of getting a bank account and how to start investing in themselves and their future to build that wealth." -- Kristy Williams Fercho, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion for Wells Fargo.

Terrific story detailing the Power and Service Model of TD Bank’s Middle Market capabilities.

Is Your Bank Ready for New Regulations? “Community banks are building teams and leveraging third-party partnerships to meet growing regulatory demands. It’s about being proactive and ready for what’s ahead,” shares Kathy Enbom Principal at Wipfli As the regulatory landscape becomes more complex, how is your institution preparing? ✅ Are you strengthening your compliance team? ✅ Partnering with experts to stay ahead? At Wipfli, we’re here to help community banks navigate these challenges and build resilient strategies. Let’s ensure you’re not just keeping up but staying ahead. 🔗 Discover how Wipfli can support your compliance efforts: https://lnkd.in/gk5nMEWQ #CommunityBanking #RegulatoryCompliance #BankingStrategy #WipfliInsights

Business news, frequently detached and dominated by figures and trends, often overlooks the human element. Yet, behind every transaction and investment, there’s a narrative, a driving force. What’s yours? Consider Robert Rodriguez. His upbringing in the Bronx didn’t just influence his life trajectory—it carved it. Today, he stands as the Divisional Director of Northeast Business Banking at JPMorgan Chase, a testament to his journey. We are revealing the human side to business and finance, listen to STOCKS IN TRANSLATION on Yahoo Finance! https://lnkd.in/erNuYuUj

We're launching a new chapter in California community banking: Plumas Bancorp and Cornerstone Community Bancorp are joining forces to better serve clients, employees, and stakeholders. The boards of directors of Plumas and Cornerstone Community Bank have approved the proposed acquisition, which is expected to occur in the second half of 2025. Full announcement details here: https://trst.in/8Ag32o

"That will never work—there are already too many banks." I heard this back in 2005 when I had an idea: start a business-focused bank. The conventional wisdom? “We’re overbanked.” At the time, banks were everywhere—branches of out-of-town banks, that is. But something was missing: a locally-owned bank that catered to the unique needs of businesses. So I did my research. Yes, there were banks, but few were local, and even fewer specialized in business banking. In suburban Kansas City alone, deposits were booming—$11 billion in 2004, up from $8 billion in 2000. Average deposits per bank location in Johnson County? $54 million, higher than Kansas City’s $44 million per location. But when I looked at other cities like Denver, St. Louis, and Minneapolis, I realized something: Johnson County had room to grow. We launched that bank, and over the next 16 years, we grew to $220+ million in assets. The secret? Local investors who believed in the community, talented employees, and loyal customers who drove our success. Today, total deposits in Johnson County are over $24 billion, with $111+ million per bank location. Moral of the story? Don’t listen to conventional wisdom. Or as my dad used to say: “Do your own thinking.” Today, in my free weekly newsletter "The Savvy Banker" we're going to go a little deeper on the topic of "Bank Mergers: Selling CEO – embrace new duties for a fresh start." Click here to subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gS8ZsFyc ===== I'm not a lawyer, an accountant, or an investment banker. I'm just a banker who has been in your shoes. You can catch my posts on LinkedIn at 7:10am and 4:10pm daily (weekends & holidays too!)

Excited to share that I was recently quoted in an article on Fox Money, the personal finance hub of Fox Business Network! A big thank you to Kristy Snyder for helping raise financial awareness. As ATM usage declines with the rise of digital payments, Kristy sheds light on information many people might overlook. Take a look at the article for some useful tips, and feel free to pass it along to anyone who might find it helpful! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwwXmDDG

☀️ Be There for Members When It Matters Most This Summer! ☀️ I'm thrilled to announce that my latest article for The Banking BUSINESS News Network, LLC (Credit Union Business Magazine) is live! 📝 As we dive into the summer season, it's crucial for credit unions to focus on creating meaningful moments that strengthen member relationships. In this article, I explore: 🔍 Strategies to enhance member engagement 📈 Tips for leveraging personalized communication 💡 Ways to build lasting loyalty during pivotal moments Let's ensure we're there for our members when it counts the most. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gHDQnERg #CreditUnions #MemberEngagement #CustomerLoyalty #Fintech #TotalExpert Total Expert

This is great news that State Street Agency Lending program continues to be a cornerstone of the global markets since its inception in 1974. Pioneering the securities lending landscape, it has consistently demonstrated leadership through innovation, risk management, and operational excellence. By providing liquidity and optimizing returns for institutional investors, the program has played a vital role in fostering market efficiency and stability. Its long-standing presence reflects a commitment to evolving with market dynamics and setting industry standards, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner in the global financial ecosystem.

"That will never work—there are already too many banks." I heard this back in 2005 when I had an idea: start a business-focused bank. The conventional wisdom? “We’re overbanked.” At the time, banks were everywhere—branches of out-of-town banks, that is. But something was missing: a locally-owned bank that catered to the unique needs of businesses. So I did my research. Yes, there were banks, but few were local, and even fewer specialized in business banking. In suburban Kansas City alone, deposits were booming—$11 billion in 2004, up from $8 billion in 2000. Average deposits per bank location in Johnson County? $54 million, higher than Kansas City’s $44 million per location. But when I looked at other cities like Denver, St. Louis, and Minneapolis, I realized something: Johnson County had room to grow. We launched that bank, and over the next 16 years, we grew to $220+ million in assets. The secret? Local investors who believed in the community, talented employees, and loyal customers who drove our success. Today, total deposits in Johnson County are over $24 billion, with $111+ million per bank location. Moral of the story? Don’t listen to conventional wisdom. Or as my dad used to say: “Do your own thinking.” Today, in my free weekly newsletter "The Savvy Banker" we're going to go a little deeper on the topic of "Bank Mergers: How to have successful management meetings with a potential buyer (part 2)" Click here to subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gS8ZsFyc ===== I'm not a lawyer, an accountant, or an investment banker. I'm just a banker who has been in your shoes. You can catch my posts on LinkedIn at 7:10am and 4:10pm daily (weekends & holidays too!)