Ahead of the Curve: A Banker's Podcast

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, you'll hear innovative ideas on financial literacy programs and leveraging technology for better customer service from Anne Tangen, President and CEO of BankFive.

Tune in as we discuss:

•  How to engage customers in learning about improving their credit
•  The role of financial literacy in getting the right loan products in front of customers
•  What BankFive is doing to improve its customer ex...

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the loan review process, making it more efficient, accurate, and compliant—while ensuring that human expertise remains essential.

Joining us is Steve Wert, Vice President of DiCom Loan Review Solutions at Abrigo. With over 20 years of experience in market strategy and technology, Steve has played a pivotal role in the evolution of credit ri...

With a new administration in office, speculation is running high on what the future holds for financial institutions working within the cannabis-related business (CRB) industry.

Today's guest is Kevin Gulledge, Senior Risk Management Consultant at Abrigo and a seasoned expert in financial compliance. With extensive experience guiding banks and credit unions through the challenges of serving CRBs, Kevin brings valuable insight i...

Bank mergers and acquisitions are on the rise, with institutions looking to expand, scale technology investments, and enhance profitability. But the accounting side of these deals—Day 1 valuation, CECL modeling, and income recognition—can introduce unexpected complexities that impact deal success.

In this episode, Abrigo Advisory’s Neekis Hammond and Derek Hipp bring their accounting expertise to discuss key accounting consideration...

The CFPB 1071 regulation has sparked plenty of debate and concern among financial institutions. Since our last 107 1 episode in March, there have been some key developments, including the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the CFPB’s funding structure and the new administration's 60-day pause on the rule. We’ll discuss how community financial institutions are responding—whether with resignation, adaptation, or continued h...

While having data is valuable, the key to success is knowing how to interpret and effectively use that data. Core deposit studies can enhance the value of your institution’s non-maturity deposit sector, improving pricing betas and reducing funding costs. But how can you be sure you're considering the right factors when analyzing your portfolio?

Join us as Abrigo Senior Consultant Urum Urumoglu discusses how to best u...

With many experts predicting that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates this week, this episode delves into what financial institutions should expect now that rate drops are on the horizon. Banks and credit unions are under pressure to reevaluate their strategies for managing deposits, loans, and overall financial health. We will explore topics such as:

• The implications of expected rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and ho...

It is a BSA Compliance officer's job to make sure their institutions are in compliance with the latest from the FFIEC. That means getting their boards and leadership invested in following AML/CFT best practices. In today's episode, we'll explore the FFIEC's list of critical elements for a BSA program—from adequate staffing and expertise to the technological systems necessary for identifying and managing risks. <...

With interest rates having shifted dramatically, financial institutions find themselves navigating uncharted territory, grappling with how to adapt their ALM strategies to the new normal. Join us as Abrigo Director of Sales and Professional Services Dave Koch, an experienced asset/liability management advisor, delves into the complexities of the current economic landscape and its impact on community banks. 

In this episode, we'...

As the global population of individuals aged 60 and over is projected to increase by 38% between 2019 and 2030, elder abuse and elder financial exploitation (EFE) are becoming increasingly prevalent issues. This demographic shift, particularly in the developing world, brings attention to the unique challenges older persons face, including those related to human rights and financial security. Elder fraud, a severe form of EFE, conti...

Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires financial institutions to collect and report data on small business lending to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The details of the CFPB 1071 rule are laid out in an extensive 888-page document, so it's no surprise that many financial institutions aren’t sure where to start when it comes to preparing for compliance.

In this epi...

The OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve Board have released the hypothetical scenarios for their annual Dodd-Frank stress tests, which help ensure that large banks can lend to households and businesses even in a severe recession. How do the scenarios impact community financial institutions, and how can you use stress testing to your institution's benefit?

Join Zach Englert and Jacob Lowe as they discuss what the scenarios ...

Human trafficking – a form of modern slavery – is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in the world, exploiting over 45 million people and generating an estimated $150 billion in profits each year. While global in reach, human trafficking also affects individuals, communities, and economies across the United States.

Join Brad Jeffery, founder of MADE FREE, and Heather Bellino, CEO of Texas Advocacy Project, as we discuss h...

The marijuana-related banking industry took major steps forward on September 27, 2023, when the Senate Committee passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act after weeks of negotiations and revisions to reach a bipartisan agreement. The bill would secure access for marijuana-related businesses (MRBs) to financial institutions. Terri Luttrell and Michael O’Neill, aka “The Cannabis Banker,” join the podcast t...

The OCC issued it's Bank Supervision Operation Plan for 2024 and we take a look on at it on the latest episode of Ahead of the Curve. This plan outlines the OCC's priorities and objectives for the coming year and provides great insights on where to focus your financial institution's time.

In this episode,  Abrigo Advisor Zach Englert discusses his big takeaways specifically around liquidity risk, credit ris...

Financial institutions all have one thing in common right now: an unprecedented rising rate environment that isn't going away anytime soon. Some have action plans in place to ensure capital and margin objectives are still achieved, but for many, this coming period represents a complete unknown, so they are not as prepared. Whether deposits are an issue or not right now, it is prudent to make sure you have the monitoring and st...

Ag lenders have faced a whirlwind of events over the past few years. From government stimulus programs to sky-rocketing land values to record inflation, many financial institutions are struggling to get a handle on it all. However, with an eye on credit risk and an increase in loan demand expected on the horizon, profitability and growth are possible for institutions.

In this episode, Rob Newberry, former dairy farmer and Senior Adv...

For financial institutions across the country, commercial real estate (CRE) remains an area of high emphasis within the loan portfolio as they pursue growth. However,  with rising interest rates and inflation as well as the underlying impacts of the pandemic on office space, it’s important to keep an eye on the market and the inherent risks this type of lending presents.

In this episode, Matt Anderson from Trepp and Rob Newberry fro...

Financial institutions continue to face a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and volatile economic environment. These top-of-mind concerns underscore the need for banks and credit unions to ensure they have enough capital to withstand a wide range of shocks. How can institutions make sure they have a comprehensive view of their risk? How do they plan for managing those risks should they emerge?

In this podcast we disc...