Jackie Stewart is the executive editor of American Banker Magazine. Previously, she covered breaking news, community banks and mergers and acquisitions for American Banker before being named as the managing editor of the Credit Union Journal. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2006, Jackie taught for two years in the Bronx, N.Y., through Teach for America.
A recent wave of high-profile executive departures highlights the need for boards to regularly review succession plans and develop future leaders in an environment where top-level talent is limited.
Patrick Fahey's last act as a turnaround specialist ended with the 2010 failure of Frontier Bank. First Sound Bank in Seattle is poised for a much different outcome.
Volatile industries such as energy and agriculture are fueling strong results in states such as North Dakota and Iowa.
Examiners are noticing more competitive pricing and instances where banks are relaxing repayment and collateral requirements.
The California business bank focuses on the technology sector, applying lessons learned from the dot-com bust of the 1990s.
Bankers who were at last week's convention are considering ways to expand social media use and offer new products that will not run afoul of regulators.
Only 30% of community banks communicate via social media, and that needs to change if they want to attract younger customers, members of the industry said.
The Super Bowl champ teased regulators, talked serious business and shared tales of his glory days on the football field during the Independent Community Bankers of America conference.
CS Consulting found that banks that promote customer service generate higher investor returns over the long term.
Impersonators of Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin (oddly) captured the sense of renewal at the ICBA conference in Las Vegas.
The CFPB director received a frosty reception at the ICBA conference despite remarks designed to calm bankers' fears.
Bankers at the trade group's annual conference want to focus on momentum, although many acknowledge lingering doubt about the future.
Staffing, policies and vendor relationships will draw scrutiny as community banks look for new ways to make money.
William Loving believes that the banking industry will shrink at a much slower rate than what many predict.
Old Second Bank in Aurora, Ill., aims to prove that it and other Tarp banks that burned through all their common equity can survive.
The Columbus, Ga., company has righted itself, is pursuing growth opportunities and looks forward to the day when it is strong enough to buy other banks again, CEO Kessel Stelling says.
A growing number of community banks are experimenting with traveling employees and student part-timers to cut branch expenses.
No, Tamara Hambright and Paula Vardell aren't sisters, but the longtime co-workers say they have become two halves of the same brain and will work hard to build up the Dallas bank's warehouse lending division.
Fisoc has added a community bank and four credit unions to its Buzz Points program. Buzz Points is a merchant-funded loyalty program that helps banks and credit unions connect to consumers and merchants through social media and offer rewards.
As more community banks pursue C&I lending, they must focus more on monitoring industry and borrower trends.