On the Balance Sheet®

Hosted by Darling Consulting Group

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Darling Consulting Group’s podcast series interviewing executives from community banks and credit unions about key industry and economic issues.

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55 recent

August 24, 2026Episode 829 min

"Getting the Band Back Together" with Brent Leslie, Maverick Bank (TX)

In this episode, the guys are joined by Brent Leslie, CEO of Maverick Bank, based in Lubbock, TX. Brent shares his journey from the baseball diamond to the ranks of state banking examiner to CEO of fast-growing Maverick Bank. The group discusses the lessons learned from Brent's early days looking at Texas bank balance sheets, his time at a community banking institution that was acquired by a larger player, and the purchase of a charter and reformation of former teammates to create the current-day Maverick Bank. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

July 17, 2026Episode 743 min

Assets Are Driving the Margin Bus

In the seventh episode of season five, Vin and Zach revisit the key asset/liability management themes from the second quarter, as well as assess what ALCOs should be focusing on as the third quarter progresses. The guys dive deep into industry margin tailwinds and headwinds, deposit growth and retention strategies straight from the boardroom, what proprietary DCG pricing metrics are indicating, and data-driven lending trends. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

June 16, 2026Episode 640 min

"All Things Fed” with Chris Low, Chief Economist at FHN, Live from DCG’s Annual Conference

In the sixth episode of the season, Chris Low, Chief Economist at FHN, rejoins the show LIVE from DCG’s 42nd Annual Balance Sheet & Model Risk Management Conference. Chris and the guys jump into the current inflation and unemployment storylines, rate expectations, the “dual mandate,” and what bankers should expect from a Kevin Warsh-led Federal Reserve. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

May 15, 2026Episode 534 min

"Ask Them to Do Everything They Can and Nothing They Can't" with Mike Ewing of Oak View National Bank (VA)

In the fifth episode of the season, the guys are joined by Mike Ewing, Chairman and CEO of Oak View National Bank (VA). Mike expounds on his start in banking and his successes turning around banks who found themselves with credit issues in the ‘80s and ’90s. The conversation then transitions into how he formed and organized Oak View during the early days of the Great Financial Crisis. Permeating through the entire discussion is Mike’s passion for the role community banks play within their communities, and the people who develop the relationships to make that happen. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

April 17, 2026Episode 434 min

“Firing Up the Growth Engine” with Ben Lemoine, Suncoast Credit Union (FL)

This month, the guys are joined by Ben Lemoine, the Chief Financial Officer of Suncoast Credit Union located in Florida. Ben outlines his professional journey, which evolved from his days in Corporate CUs and consultative positions into the accountability of the CFO's chair at the 10th largest Credit Union in the country by asset size. He discusses Suncoast's hyperfocus on member acquisition and being able to see the direct impact they have on members' lives. Ben also shares the Credit Union's recent foray into using AI to enhance productivity. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

March 27, 2026Episode 338 min

Yield Curve March Madness and Distilling Fed Expectations with Jeff Croteau

In On the Balance Sheet®'s 50th episode, the guys are joined by DCG’s Jeff Croteau to parse through recent yield curve movements, the March Fed meeting, and Q1 ALCO themes. The discussion delves into why ALCOs need to understand their balance sheet needs and be opportunistic when rates are volatile, looking inward first when assessing funding game plans, as well as recent lending discussions and how pricing/volume trends may influence NII levels in 2026 and beyond. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

February 23, 2026Episode 228 min

Joe Kennerson’s 5 ALCO “Takes” for 2026 and the Last Time He Dunked a Basketball

In the second episode of season 5, DCG’s own Joe Kennerson is back by popular demand and joins the guys to explore his 5 ALCO "Takes" for 2026. The conversation focuses on industry margin projections, a new era of liquidity management, balancing deposit growth vs cost savings, why you should “ignore” your competition, and the power of options both on and off the balance sheet. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

January 16, 2026Episode 139 min

“Last Cut Under the Powell Fed” with Claudia Sahm

In the highly anticipated season 5 opener, the guys are joined by Claudia Sahm, Chief Economist at New Century Advisors and architect of the famous “Sahm Rule.” Claudia provides her thoughts on the resilience of the US economy, key elements to be aware of on the unemployment and inflation fronts, Fed rate expectations and whether we are at risk of a policy error, and why she remains cautiously optimistic for 2026. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

December 17, 2025Episode 1233 min

Fed Reactions and Implications for Your Balance Sheet

In the final episode of the season, Vin and Zach jump into a discussion on the recent Fed Meeting and the outlook for rates in 2026. The guys also probe how various rate outlooks could impact deposit and loan strategy, as well as thoughts on recent Q4 ALCO meetings, budgets, and positive industry margin trends. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

November 18, 2025Episode 1137 min

"If You Stick Around Long Enough, I'll Teach You How To Start a Bank" with Dan Yates of Endeavor Bank (CA)

Vin, Zach, and DCG colleague Mike Mitchell are joined by Dan Yates, CEO and Co-Founder of Endeavor Bank located in Southern California. Dan shares lessons learned from training programs early on in his career and how he parlayed that education into the formation of two de novo banks. He speaks about Endeavor Bank's focus on "Consultative Banking," and how the bank's partnership with small- and medium-sized businesses is mutually beneficial. He also discusses Endeavor Bank's adherence to the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and how that framework permeates through all facets of the organization. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Dan talks about leaving a lasting legacy in his communities and filling the void left by larger bank consolidations. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at DarlingConsulting.com or follow us on LinkedIn .