ABA Banking Journal Podcast

The leader of the Washington, D.C., area's largest community bank describes how his bank invests in its customer experience and the next generation of employees. Dan Schrider, president and CEO of Sandy Spring Bank in Olney, Md., explains how the bank determines the right balance between existing and emerging banking platforms. He also describes the bank's self-created curriculum that covers both technical skills as well as broader cultural matters of "who we want to be for our clients and each other."

Citizens Bank of Edmond in Oklahoma, has a one-branch strategy -- but lots of big ideas for innovative ways to serve customers. The latest idea: a bankerless "bank hub" located in one of Oklahoma City's hippest neighborhoods. Inspired by small biz owners who wanted to bank with Citizens but needed closer access to cash and coin, CEO Jill Castilla conceived an unmanned site providing 24/7 access. She outlines the tech and regulatory implications and discusses how it fits into Citizens' marketing strategy.

The combination of tax reform, expectations of regulatory relief and healthy household balance sheets is likely to extend the current U.S. economic expansion through 2019, setting a new postwar record, says Ellen Zentner, chief U.S. economist for Morgan Stanley. She projects that the tax bill will provide an extra 0.4% of growth in 2018. That combines with regulatory relief to boost growth, while tax reforms to provide an unexpected boost to credit quality during a mature stage of the cycle.

Over 2017, bitcoin saw a 2200% run-up in value -- but it has been a volatile ride. This week, it plunged 34 percent in a matter of 3 days. Aside from the recent mania, the underlying blockchain technology has attracted interest from financial institutions and investors. Fintech experts Rob Morgan and John Collins discuss what bankers need to know about bitcoin and blockchain, including the growth and use of virtual currencies, blockchain use cases in the banking world and real-world deployments at banks.

Ever wonder what it's like to be a banker on the Last Frontier? Mike Martin of Northrim Bank talks about Alaska's unique economy, with its blend of natural resources and tourism, and how a local community bank can bring special expertise to bear with Alaska's businesses. He discusses best practices from Northrim's recent core processor conversion, and talks about Northrim's stance on marijuana. Stay tuned to the end to hear Martin's wildest story about what you might see banking in remote Alaskan villages.

Career banker and leadership coach Ditu Kasuyi joins Sara Reid, leader of ABA's Diversity and Inclusion Task Force to discuss why -- and how -- banks can enhance the diversity of their workforces. Reid explores the growing diversity of the country along multiple dimensions, and Kasuyi outlines some strategies banks can use to better engage the communities they serve. Part of the strategy is using networking programs and internships to introduce potential employees to the wide variety of careers in banking.

In this special bonus episode, Evan and Shaun interview ABA COO Jeff Owen, who retires from the association on Dec. 31, 2017, after 45 years with the association. In this conversation, Jeff shares historical reflections from the industry, as well as some of the leaders he had a chance to work with. Jeff also shares no-nonsense insights about effective leadership, the power of professional development and why he and his wife, Diana, have endowed a scholarship fund at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Evan Sparks interviews Ryan Rasske about trends in anti-money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act and fraud issues -- particularly the growing confluence of these programs within banks. Sparks and Rasske also discuss the growth of data-driven artificial intelligence solutions to detect financial crimes, as well as ways that law enforcement is making better use of the reports and data that financial institutions gather.

California banker Jeffrey Ball discusses several emerging issues in public policy -- including banks' role in financial innovation and protecting consumers, as well as the increasingly urgent need to address banking marijuana-related businesses. He emphasizes the need for a resolution to the gap between state and federal law. Ball also discusses the outlook for de novo banks in his Southern California market and outlined his bank's small business strategy. 

ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols joins Evan and Shaun to discuss the busy December coming up for tax reform, reg reform and other policy priorities; the regulatory personnel change that began in 2017 (including the CFPB acting director kerfuffle); and the broader policy and industry changes he foresees for 2018 -- including an evolving fintech environment, the need for a more diverse financial sector workforce and the challenge of ongoing consolidation. 

Guests Brittany Kleinpaste and Monica Meinert discuss the ongoing macro-trend of bank consolidation -- why it's happening, how it's accelerated over the past decade and what strategies banks are employing to determine their own destinies. They outline strategies banks are employing to forge an independent path. Meanwhile, Evan and Shaun tackle the news of the day, including Richard Cordray's resignation from the CFPB, Joseph Otting's confirmation to lead the OCC and the bipartisan senate reg relief deal.

With the House Ways and Means Committee currently considering a major tax overhaul bill and a Senate bill expected to be introduced any day now, tax reform took center stage on this week's episode of the ABA Newsbytes Podcast. Tax economist Curtis Dubay explains key provisions of the House bill, what's happened so far and the path forward. Other news this week: a proposal expected to ease the rural appraiser shortage over time & the Fed's latest quarterly survey on bank lending decisions.

Co-hosts Evan Sparks and Shaun Kern discuss the appointment of Jay Powell as Federal Reserve chairman and look at what his nomination might mean for reg reform efforts. Then we dig into the arcana of the Congressional Review Act and its notable use to reverse the CFPB's arbitration rule. For this week's interview, Evan speaks with Jim Reuter of Colorado's FirstBank. Jim discusses the Fed's faster payments initiative, in which he was involved, and FirstBank's adoption of Zelle, the new bank-led payment app.

In this week's episode, co-host Evan Sparks sends a dispatch from Denver, interviewing Rich Martinez, president and CEO of the nation's only bank specially designed for children: Young Americans Bank. In this podcast we dig deeper into the products and services YAB offers; how YAB and its associated programs help kids gain hands-on experience with entrepreneurship; the unique ownership structure of the bank and how regulators got comfortable with the concept; and the generosity of founder Bill Daniels.

Evan Sparks and Shaun Kern chat with ABA's Rob Morgan and Lisa Gold Schier about the top fintech trends that bankers need to be aware of -- and start planning for --over the next several years, including digital lending, biometrics, big data and regtech. And Lisa explains what ABA looks at before it endorses a new product, especially when you're dealing with a tech startup whose hoodies and sneakers might not match the culture at a bank.