When it comes to implementing new technology, community banks have been faced with challenges. For one, we often don’t have the internal bandwidth to build the solutions we want, so we must seek products that exist in the marketplace—and that can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Once we find the right product, it has to integrate into our core systems. And when a product or service doesn’t perform, we may let it limp along instead of sunsetting it.
While these issues present challenges, we are entering a new era, one with much more potential on the horizon. My optimism stems from having participated in the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program, which delivers best-of-the-best solutions directly to community banks.
My Top Three
In the spirit of technology upgrades, here are my top three must-have devices:
12.9-inch iPad Pro, my go-to for work travel
Heads-up display (HUD) in my car
Sonos wireless sound system
Coming off those successes, we have the opportunity to remind our communities that we serve them not only in difficult times, but all the time. Community banks are the fabric of our communities, working tirelessly to improve them. From economic investments to volunteering, community banks and their employees make a difference in the communities we serve. For example, many of my senior leaders are in leadership positions with community-based nonprofits. We also started a charitable foundation and donate 5% of our net income to the foundation annually.
Our missions lie in personal relationships; customers have a banker who truly knows them. For example, when my daughter’s friend’s debit card wasn’t working during a vacation, she messaged me to help solve the problem. When my father was in line at the grocery store and the customer in front of him couldn’t find her wallet, he paid her bill. That’s what we do as community bankers; we help people. It means something to have that connection with someone, to have a personal relationship with your banker.
I know I’m preaching to the choir, but we all need reminders of the positive impact we make. Community bankers are typically humble people, and we’re reluctant to tell our stories. But we have to get more comfortable sharing our success stories and showcasing what we do and why we do it.
As you peruse this month’s Independent Banker, which focuses on budgeting and profitability, know that proactively sharing what you do for your community could support your bottom line, too. People are realizing banking locally is a good thing for everybody, and this is our moment to communicate just what it means to be a community bank.
