This Month in Banking

Hosted by The Kafafian Group, Inc.

Business News

Website RSS feed

Episodes

140

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

About the show

A monthly review of current and interesting events relating to US financial institutions, and the potential impact on their customers, employees, and future.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 28, 2026Episode 740 min

Your Cost of Funds Is What?!?!

In this episode of This Month in Banking , presented by Wolf & Company , we sit down with Wade Johnson, CEO of Durden Banking Company , to discuss how a community bank has achieved standout performance in two metrics that matter deeply in today's banking environment: efficiency ratio and cost of funds. Wade shares his journey from growing up in rural Georgia to leading the bank as CEO, while providing insight into the leadership philosophy, operational discipline, and relationship-based banking strategies that have helped drive the bank's success. The conversation explores what efficiency truly means in a community banking context, how strong cultures and processes contribute to long-term performance, and why customer relationships remain a competitive advantage. The discussion also takes a deeper dive into deposit pricing, funding strategies, and the practical decisions that have allowed Durden Banking Company to maintain a strong cost of funds despite a challenging rate environment. Along the way, Wade shares lessons learned from his career, perspectives on leadership and talent development, and his outlook for the future of community banking. Listeners will come away with actionable insights on balancing growth, profitability, employee engagement, and customer service while navigating the increasing pressures facing community financial institutions today. 👤 Wolf Hosts Tara Wean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarawean/ Jeff Marsico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmarsico/

June 23, 2026Episode 638 min

Turning Customer Experience Into Strategy

In this episode of This Month in Banking , presented by Wolf & Company , we're joined by Tara Brady , Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer at Provident Bank , to explore how customer experience is evolving into a core strategic driver of growth and differentiation . Tara shares how her role connects across the organization—from frontline delivery to executive decision‑making—and why customer experience today goes far beyond satisfaction scores. The conversation highlights how banks can take a more intentional, enterprise‑wide approach to experience by aligning people, processes, and technology. We also discuss what's changing in customer and employee expectations, where institutions tend to get stuck when trying to execute on experience initiatives, and what it takes to build a culture rooted in empathy and consistency. The group dives into the challenges of organizational alignment, particularly in periods of change such as mergers and integrations, and how leadership teams can keep the customer at the center during times of transformation. This episode offers practical insight for bank executives, customer experience leaders, and boards looking to better connect strategy with the customer journey—and turn experience into measurable business impact. 👤 Wolf Hosts Tara Wean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarawean/ Jeff Marsico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmarsico/ Ben Crowley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencrowley/ 🎙️ Guest Tara Brady – SVP & Chief Experience Officer, Provident Bank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-a-brady/

May 27, 2026Episode 529 min

Building a Unique Community Bank Through New Business Lines

In this episode of This Month in Banking , presented by Wolf & Company , we're joined by Ed Barry , CEO of Capital Bancorp , to explore how one community bank built a distinctive growth model by expanding into specialized, nontraditional lines of business . Since joining in 2012, Ed has led Capital Bank's transformation from a $300 million institution into a $3.5 billion diversified platform spanning commercial lending, mortgage banking, credit cards, and fee‑based service businesses. The conversation highlights how an FDIC‑assisted acquisition unexpectedly led to the creation of a national credit card platform, and how that business—alongside other niche verticals—helped drive strong performance, deposit growth, and diversified revenue streams. Ed also shares insights on identifying acquisitions that add true capabilities, building and scaling new business lines with the right mix of talent and technology, and maintaining alignment between strategy, culture, and risk. The discussion touches on renewable energy lending, SBA servicing, and how community banks can compete effectively by focusing on targeted niches rather than trying to be everything to everyone . For bank executives, board members, and strategy leaders, this episode offers a practical look at how differentiation, discipline, and innovation can drive long‑term growth in an increasingly competitive industry. Guest Ed Barry CEO, Capital Bancorp / Capital Bank N.A. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-barry-935b7b6/ 🔗 https://capitalbankmd.com/ Learn More Discover how Wolf & Company helps financial institutions drive strategy, growth, and innovation: 👉 https://www.wolfandco.com

April 28, 2026Episode 447 min

Enterprise AI in Banking: From Experiment to Impact

In this episode of This Month in Banking , presented by Wolf & Company , we explore how financial institutions are moving beyond AI experimentation and toward practical, enterprise‑ready adoption . Host Tara Ween is joined by John Kowal , Senior Vice President, Managing Director & Chief Technology Officer at Peapack Private Bank & Trust , along with Wolf & Company experts Jeff Marsico and Nelson Obando . Together, they unpack what responsible AI implementation really looks like inside a bank—cutting through the hype to focus on governance, risk awareness, and real‑world value. The conversation examines where most banks stand today with AI, why data and operating foundations matter more than flashy tools, and how institutions can scale AI safely while meeting regulatory expectations. The group also discusses emerging use cases, workflow automation, "digital employees," and how AI can improve productivity while allowing bankers to focus more on clients. This episode offers bank executives, technology leaders, risk professionals, and board members a grounded roadmap for adopting AI thoughtfully, competitively, and responsibly in the year ahead. Discover how Wolf & Company helps financial institutions navigate AI, governance, risk, and technology strategy: https://www.wolfandco.com

March 25, 2026Episode 339 min

Banking's Next Growth Move

In this episode of This Month in Banking , we're joined by Matt Burke , Chairman & CEO of Mutual Bancorp , the mutual holding company for Cape Cod Five, Fidelity Bank, and soon Bluestone Bank. Matt brings a front‑line perspective on how community banks can rethink growth in today's challenging environment—where deposit behavior, technology expectations, and consolidation pressures are reshaping the industry. We dig into how mutual institutions are approaching expansion, why shared‑services holding companies are becoming a strategic alternative to traditional bank mergers, and what really drives successful mutual‑to‑mutual partnerships. Matt also shares the importance of cultural alignment, diversification, and trust when combining institutions without a monetary exchange. Looking ahead, Matt outlines the conversations he believes bank leaders must be having today—around growth strategy, relationship development, efficiency, community presence, and organizational structure—to stay competitive over the next 12–24 months. Whether you're a bank executive, board member, or part of a strategic planning team, this episode offers practical insights into the evolving growth models shaping community banking.

February 25, 2026Episode 235 min

When Fintech Meets Community Banking

In this episode of This Month in Banking , the team explores what happens when fintech meets community banking. Guest Emmett Shipman, Fintech Strategy & Growth Senior Manager at Wolf & Company, joins the conversation to discuss evolving fintech–bank partnerships, the shift from efficiency to reinvention, and how community banks can strategically position themselves for a digital future. The discussion also dives into stablecoins, digital assets, and what bank leaders should be prioritizing in the year ahead.

January 30, 2026Episode 137 min

TKG Joins The Pack - Wolf x TKG

TKG Joins The Pack - Wolf x TKG Hosts - Jeff Marsico, Principal, Wolf & Company, P.C. Scott Baranowski, Principal, Wolf & Company, P.C.

December 30, 2025Episode 1246 min

Bank Strategy: Community Banks vs. National Banks

Bank Strategy: Community vs. National Banks Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Andrew Baker, Chief Strategy Officer, F&M Bank

November 25, 2025Episode 1140 min

Bank M&A Today and Outlook for 2026

Bank M&A Today and Outlook for 2026 Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Dave Danielson, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.

October 28, 2025Episode 1034 min

Improving Shareholder Liquidity in Community Banks

Improving Shareholder Liquidity in Community Banks Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Matt Schultheis, Founder of BankVault Research