Banking Insights

In this episode we chat with Brandon Koeser, Financial Services Industry Senior Analyst at RSM US, as he provides us with his economic update. We compare how this economic crisis compares to that of the Great Recession. Brandon shares some advice for our bankers trying to navigate this changing landscape. Then, we learn how RSM US is creatively studying more real-time data in order to develop even more detailed and up-to-date economic forecasts.

RSM US is a U.S. provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market. For more information, please visit rsmus.com.

In this episode, we chat with Shawn Dillon, President of Fitech, about how Fitech has been helping banks adapt and innovate during this ever-changing environment. We also discuss how technology helps banks maintain their customer relationships. Then, we even look into the future and see what the landscape will look like in a post-pandemic future.

Fitech delivers payment processing solutions to community banks. As the endorsed payments provider across 38% of the U.S., Fitech delivers technology payment acceptance services tailored specifically for each partnership. Fitech is an Endorsed Partner of the Western Bankers Association.

For more information about Fitech, please visit their website at fitech.com.

In this episode, we chat with Virginia Varela, President & CEO of Golden Pacific Bank. We discuss how she got into the banking industry and how banks are doing during these difficult times. Also, we cover how Golden Pacific Bank handled the Payment Protection Program and the lessons learned. Hear about all of the important work that Virginia is doing in the Sacramento community. And we even get to hear what it is like to work with a spouse. Lastly, Virginia shares some great advice for her fellow bankers.

In this episode, hear from Ankur Rawat, Associate Director - Products & Solutions, and Rod Skillman, Regional Sales Manager, both from Newgen Software, as they discuss how Newgen Software was able to adapt in this evolving environment to help better serve their clients. Also, we discuss how the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forced many in the banking industry to adapt to digital platforms for online account openings and lending. We also chat about how Newgen Software can benefit both the banks and the consumers. 

Hear from Mike Cohn, Director of the WolfPAC Solutions Group at Wolf & Company, as we discuss the top five areas that have been significantly impacted during the pandemic. Mike Cohn is then able to creatively tie all of these affected areas back to baseball to help connect the dots. Listen as Mike also discusses the PPP process and how banks and fintech companies were able to work together to secure millions of loans.

Hear from Steve Miller, President & CEO of Fresno First Bank, as we discuss how his bank handled and how they were able to adapt to the rapidly moving PPP process. Also, we cover how the bank is handling all operation changes as California begins easing shelter-in-place policies. We also talk about competition and challenges in today's even more competitive environment. And lastly, Steve Miller shares some lessons learned over these last few months. 

In this episode, we chat with Bria Barker Lee from Everfi about financial education and how banks can support their communities in these trying times. Also, we discuss the results from a study that Everfi recently conducted about consumers and their finances. Listen in to find out more about what the approachability gap is and how banks can overcome this gap.

Bria Barker Lee is the Vice President of Partnerships at Everfi and has been working with financial institutions across the US for eight and a half years. Everfi is the leading education technology company that provides learners of all ages, education for the real world, through innovative and scalable digital learning. Everfi is an Endorsed Partner of the Western Bankers Association. 

In this episode, hear from California State Assemblymember Monique Limón as we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting policy priorities, the budget, businesses, families, and much more. We also talk about how bankers can continue to support their customers and communities during these trying times. 

Assemblymember Limón is the Chair of the Banking and Finance Committee. The Assemblymember represents the 37th district which includes over half of the County of Santa Barbara, as well as nearly a quarter of the County of Ventura.

In this episode, industry experts cover key topics on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the banking industry, legislation, and the economy. 

Hear from the California Bankers Association's three registered lobbyists: Kevin Gould, SVP, Director of Government Relations; Jason Lane, VP, Deputy Director of Government Relations; and Melanie Cuevas, VP, State Government Relations.