Best Independent Community Bankers of America Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 28: Looking Back at 2024 Advocacy Efforts—and Toward 2025 — with Rebeca Romero Rainey 34:40

5M ago34:40

34:40

We’ve seen a lot of shifts and change this year—the continued uptick in check fraud, the election, credit union acquisitions, etc.—but we community bankers are as steadfast, scrappy and resilient as ever. In fact, we show no signs of slowing down. According to Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA president and CEO, we’ve had a very successful year for ICBA’s…

1
Episode 27: Why Fraudsters Love the Holidays — with Kausar Kenning 36:13

7M ago36:13

36:13

As the holidays approach, it’s time to stay even more vigilant against fraud. That’s because fraudsters are more likely to seek out vulnerable, lonely or busy people at the end of the year. How can community bankers get ahead of year-end fraud and raise awareness among consumers? “I think that's the responsibility of community banks,” says Kausar K…

1
Episode 26: Get Schooled on Banking — with Alexander Price and Stephanie Gambill 42:21

9M ago42:21

42:21

If you’re looking to advance your career, you may be thinking, “Where do I start?” But options abound—you just have to know where to look. Alexander Price, CEO of Citizens State Bank in Ouray, Colo., pursued further education and career development at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, which is just one of the options available to bankers.…

1
Episode 25: Why is Check Fraud Such a Problem Right Now? — with Scott Anchin and David Long 42:31

12M ago42:31

42:31

Check fraud isn’t new, but it has re-emerged as an appealing way for fraudsters to target community banks and their customers. That’s why ICBA has brought check fraud to the forefront of its conversation with its members, to discuss the ways they can band together to solve this issue. “The one advantage that we have—which is a really, really strong…

1
Episode 24: How Fintechs Can Elevate Community Banks — with Saroop Bharwani and Allan Rayson 41:07

1y ago41:07

41:07

As technology and customer expectations change, fintechs must adapt and pivot to meet the needs of the community banks they work with. Whatever community banks are looking for—streamlining data collection, cutting down operation costs, etc.—there should be a fintech stepping up to provide a solution. But that means they must know exactly what the c…

1
Episode 23: ICBA LIVE: Where Community is Built — with Lindsay LaNore and Brad Bolton 28:57

1+ y ago28:57

28:57

Whenever you hear stories from people who have been to ICBA LIVE for the first time, they're just blown away from the atmosphere, from the camaraderie, from that one mission focus … It just makes such an impression that you will never be the same once you come to this event,” says Brad Bolton, former ICBA chairman and president and CEO of Community…

1
Episode 22: Fintech Trends For 2024 — with Dharmesh Mistry 42:39

1+ y ago42:39

42:39

Technology is ever advancing, and it’s critical for community bankers to stay ahead of it. According to Dharmesh Mistry of FinTech Futures, a media platform dedicated to global banking and the fintech industry, three of those trends are generative AI, faster payments and the cloud. “2024 can continue to be a transformative year for community banks.…

1
Episode 21: Connect With Your Fellow Community Bankers — with Leah Brink 30:23

1+ y ago30:23

30:23

Connection is at the heart of what community bankers do. That’s one of the reasons that the social networking platform ICBA Community was created. And it’s not only creating online connections, it’s helping bankers build relationships with each other outside of the forum. “It's been helpful right now just to have others that you can go to and reall…

1
Episode 20: Why Cybercrime is on the Rise — with James Anderson and Robert Johnston 44:19

1+ y ago44:19

44:19

With hundreds of millions of cyberattacks happening each year, it’s critical for community banks to fortify their cybersecurity operations. While it may be tempting to go after the hottest new cyber protections, it’s important not to forget the basics, says Adlumin Inc.’s CEO, Robert Johnston. “If you get the blocking and tackling done correctly, 8…

1
Episode 19: How to Use AI at Your Community Bank — with Jackie Verkuyl and Slaven Bilac 40:33

1+ y ago40:33

40:33

AI technology is growing exponentially. While it can bring many advantages to community banks, some bankers may have concerns about possible security issues. So, why take the risk if your bank is performing well? BAC Community Bank in Stockton, Calif., which worked AI-specialist fintech Agent IQ, was able to develop a thorough understanding of the …

1
Episode 18: How to Budget for Innovation — with Alice Frazier and Kim Snyder 50:36

2y ago50:36

50:36

“I think when you’re looking to buy any kind of a product, a data product,” says Kim Snyder, CEO of the fintech KlariVis, “you need to make sure that the vendor that you’re purchasing it from understands your industry and understands how that technology is going to be utilized in your industry.” Finding the right fintech for your community bank tak…

1
Episode 17: What it Takes to Be a Top Lender — with Chris Benjamin, Mike Rizzo and Dan Schopp 39:49

2y ago39:49

39:49

“You can go anywhere and get a loan,” says Dan Schopp, president and CEO of First Security Bank in Mackinaw, Ill. “I always say we don't want to be an ATM— just dollar dispensers. The biggest challenge is showing your customer, what value am I adding to you or your operation?” Every year, Independent Banker ranks the top community bank loan produce…

1
Episode 16: A Bank Culture That Works — with Ann Buckmiller, Carolyn Watson and Lindsay LaNore 40:54

2y ago40:54

40:54

2“I just think it's so important to have that overall [compliance] culture at the bank, because then people are also more open and willing to come to you and say, ‘Hey, I have a crazy idea. Do you think this can work?’” Ann Buckmiller, director of compliance at Reliabank Dakota in South Dakota, says she has worked hard to integrate compliance throu…

1
Episode 15: A Look Inside a Top-Performing Bank — with Sushil Patel of State Bank 34:05

2y ago34:05

34:05

“We're not just seeking growth to grow and to reach a certain asset size, or reach a certain profit dollar amount. We're going to stick to our lending philosophy … and let it come as it may.” For State Bank of Texas, says president Sushil Patel, blind growth just isn’t in its business plan. In this episode, Patel tells host Charles Potts why this i…

1
Episode 14: The SVB Fallout: An Opportunity for Community Banks to Shine? — with Rebeca Romero Rainey and Derek Williams 38:47

2y ago38:47

38:47

“What a great time for us to demonstrate who we are,” says Derek Williams. “What a great time to talk about what makes the community banking model different.” The president and CEO of Georgia’s Century Bank and Trust and newly minted ICBA chairman believes that the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in late March are an opportunity—…

1
Episode 13: Winning the Talent War — with Renee Peterson and Steve Farbstein 47:09

2y ago47:09

47:09

“We started focusing on our employees and what they need as much as what we need,” says Steve Farbstein, Blue Ridge Bank’s chief revenue and development officer. Since the Great Resignation, the Virginia community bank has shifted its approach to recruitment, taking things like flexibility and wellness into account, along with 401(k)s and PTO. As F…

1
Episode 12: Inside a Cybersecurity Collaboration — with Bob Fisher and David Shipley 32:30

2y ago32:30

32:30

Vendor relationships can be purely transactional, but the really high-value ones work more like partnerships. That’s certainly what Bob Fisher, president and CEO of Tioga State Bank in Spencer, N.Y., found when his bank hired cybersecurity fintech Beauceron Security of New Brunswick, Canada. Beauceron cofounder and CEO David Shipley wants his compa…

1
Episode 11: Fighting the Good Fight — with Anne Balcer 37:44

2+ y ago37:44

37:44

“It’s not hard to advocate for the perhaps underestimated but clearly formidable competitor.” That’s Anne Balcer’s view of her role as ICBA’s chief of government relations and public policy, which she took on in July 2022 after time at Forbright Bank, a community bank in Maryland, and in Maryland state government. Balcer talks to host Charles Potts…

1
Episode 10: What’s Ahead for ThinkTECH? — with Jack Hartings and Wayne Miller 43:27

2+ y ago43:27

43:27

Banking solutions that have already been through vendor due diligence and other compliance assessments? Sign us up. That’s what the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator has aimed to do for the past four years: collaborate with fintechs to develop plug-and-play solutions tailor-made for community banks. In late 2022, ICBA announced it was bringing the Acceler…

1
Episode 9: Why today’s innovation is tomorrow’s normal — with Tim Shangle, AVP, innovation and data analytics, ChoiceOne Bank 31:15

3y ago31:15

31:15

“Innovation isn’t magic,” says Tim Shangle, ChoiceOne Bank’s associate vice president of innovation and data analytics. “You don’t need a wizard to make your bank innovative. Innovation is simply something that is new today that will eventually become normal down the road.” One key for community banks to harness a successful innovative strategy is …

1
Episode 8: The Digital Transformation Journey Begins with the “People Factor” - with Kathy Strasser, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IncredibleBank 48:18

3y ago48:18

48:18

“The people factor is about your culture,” notes Kathy Strasser, IncredibleBank’s Executive Vice President and COO. “You can have people with a digital mindset, but when you have a digital culture, that’s when you know you’ve got something special.” Strasser knows the secret to finding success in digital: It’s about the people. That’s helped Wiscon…

1
Episode 7: Why cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue 45:48

3y ago45:48

45:48

“Today, in literal terms, everybody has to operate as that state-of-the-art bank,” says Kevin Piette, chief operating officer and chief information officer for State Bank of Cross Plains, in the newest episode of ICBA’s Communities of Innovation podcast. Cybersecurity is a growing priority today for community banks, which are up against an ever-inc…

1
Episode 6: Demystify and Prosper: How Community Banks Find Success in Fintech Partnerships — with Greg Ohlendorf of First Community Bank and Trust and Joe Ehrhardt of Teslar Software 33:09

3y ago33:09

33:09

We have to demystify that fintech is complicated, or fintech is difficult, or fintech is risky or scary. Fintech, to me, is opportunity,” says Greg Ohlendorf, President and CEO, First Community Bank and Trust. He’s joined by Joe Ehrhardt, CEO and Founder, Teslar Software; and podcast host Charles Potts, chief innovation officer of Independent Commu…

1
Episode 3: Finding and Keeping Talent – With Kim Kirk of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company and Tommy Marshall of Georgia Fintech Academy 42:55

3+ y ago42:55

42:55

A timely conversation about recruiting and retaining top bank talent in today’s competitive job market with Kim Kirk, COO of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company; Tommy Marshall, Executive Director of Georgia Fintech Academy; and host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer of Independent Community Bankers of America. This episode is sponsor…

1
Episode 5: Taking Bold and Brave Action for Community Banks—with Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA 22:57

3+ y ago22:57

22:57

Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA, talks with host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer, about how and why ICBA made the decision to stand alone in public opposition to the nomination of Prof. Saule Omarova to the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC). This episode is sponsored by ICBA LIVE.…

1
Episode 4: Partners in Fraud Prevention – A Conversation with Pioneer Trust Bank’s Betsy Steinberg and ICBA Bancard’s Rebecca Kruse 45:48

3+ y ago45:48

45:48

Host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer of the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks with Betsy Steinberg, Vice President of Pioneer Trust Bank NA about the bank’s card fraud prevention strategies. Rebecca Kruse, Executive Vice President, Operations, for ICBA Bancard shares how they work with community banks to respond to fraud. This…

1
Episode 2: Community Banking and Cryptocurrency – A Conversation with Quontic Bank’s Steve Schnall and ICBA’s Brian Laverdure 34:02

3+ y ago34:02

34:02

Host Charles Potts, Chief Innovation Officer of the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks with Steve Schnall, CEO of Quontic Bank about how the bank launched a cryptocurrency rewards program to generate customer interest. Brian Laverdure, Vice President, Payments and Technology Policy for ICBA offers insight on the changing crypto regulat…

1
Episode 1: “Baby Stepping” Got Coastal Community Bank to BaaS - A Conversation with Eric Sprink, CEO 40:05

3+ y ago40:05

40:05

Host Charles Potts, CIO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, sits down with Eric Sprink to discuss his storied career and passion for community banking. This episode is brought to you by Atlas Platform. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and Google.By The Independent Community Bankers of America

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Independent Community Bankers Of America Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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Independent Banker

Independent Community Bankers of America

1
Episode 28: Looking Back at 2024 Advocacy Efforts—and Toward 2025 — with Rebeca Romero Rainey 34:40

1
Episode 27: Why Fraudsters Love the Holidays — with Kausar Kenning 36:13

1
Episode 26: Get Schooled on Banking — with Alexander Price and Stephanie Gambill 42:21

1
Episode 25: Why is Check Fraud Such a Problem Right Now? — with Scott Anchin and David Long 42:31

1
Episode 24: How Fintechs Can Elevate Community Banks — with Saroop Bharwani and Allan Rayson 41:07

1
Episode 23: ICBA LIVE: Where Community is Built — with Lindsay LaNore and Brad Bolton 28:57

1
Episode 22: Fintech Trends For 2024 — with Dharmesh Mistry 42:39

1
Episode 21: Connect With Your Fellow Community Bankers — with Leah Brink 30:23

1
Episode 20: Why Cybercrime is on the Rise — with James Anderson and Robert Johnston 44:19

1
Episode 19: How to Use AI at Your Community Bank — with Jackie Verkuyl and Slaven Bilac 40:33

1
Episode 18: How to Budget for Innovation — with Alice Frazier and Kim Snyder 50:36

1
Episode 17: What it Takes to Be a Top Lender — with Chris Benjamin, Mike Rizzo and Dan Schopp 39:49

1
Episode 16: A Bank Culture That Works — with Ann Buckmiller, Carolyn Watson and Lindsay LaNore 40:54

1
Episode 15: A Look Inside a Top-Performing Bank — with Sushil Patel of State Bank 34:05

1
Episode 14: The SVB Fallout: An Opportunity for Community Banks to Shine? — with Rebeca Romero Rainey and Derek Williams 38:47

1
Episode 13: Winning the Talent War — with Renee Peterson and Steve Farbstein 47:09

1
Episode 12: Inside a Cybersecurity Collaboration — with Bob Fisher and David Shipley 32:30

1
Episode 11: Fighting the Good Fight — with Anne Balcer 37:44

1
Episode 10: What’s Ahead for ThinkTECH? — with Jack Hartings and Wayne Miller 43:27

1
Episode 9: Why today’s innovation is tomorrow’s normal — with Tim Shangle, AVP, innovation and data analytics, ChoiceOne Bank 31:15

1
Episode 8: The Digital Transformation Journey Begins with the “People Factor” - with Kathy Strasser, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IncredibleBank 48:18

1
Episode 7: Why cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue 45:48

1
Episode 6: Demystify and Prosper: How Community Banks Find Success in Fintech Partnerships — with Greg Ohlendorf of First Community Bank and Trust and Joe Ehrhardt of Teslar Software 33:09

1
Episode 3: Finding and Keeping Talent – With Kim Kirk of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company and Tommy Marshall of Georgia Fintech Academy 42:55

1
Episode 5: Taking Bold and Brave Action for Community Banks—with Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA 22:57

1
Episode 4: Partners in Fraud Prevention – A Conversation with Pioneer Trust Bank’s Betsy Steinberg and ICBA Bancard’s Rebecca Kruse 45:48

1
Episode 2: Community Banking and Cryptocurrency – A Conversation with Quontic Bank’s Steve Schnall and ICBA’s Brian Laverdure 34:02

1
Episode 1: “Baby Stepping” Got Coastal Community Bank to BaaS - A Conversation with Eric Sprink, CEO 40:05

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