Our blog is dedicated to sharing our thoughts and expertise about the banking industry and how you can experience quantifiable results for your financial institution. We invite you to hear the perspectives from our banking professionals through our posts.
Mergers and acquisitions have long been a defining feature of the financial services industry, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, recent activity confirms just how central M&A has become to the strategy of financial institutions. For many community-oriented banks, M&A has shifted from an opportunistic strategy to a practical necessity […]
Bank growth shouldn’t be measured by asset size alone. As institutions expand, whether organically, through acquisition or by deepening market presence, the real question becomes: Is our growth profitable, sustainable and aligned with who we are as a bank? Today’s environment requires more than adding depth to the balance sheet. It requires a clear strategy, […]
Just as you wouldn’t try to sell a hamburger to a vegan, banks shouldn’t waste valuable time and resources marketing their products to a segment that will never want them, no matter how good they are. Even the best marketing campaign can fail if it’s aimed at the wrong audience! For community banks, employing a […]
Although we’ve watched deposit growth in recent years respond to some unusual fluctuations – such as COVID, incentive-driven increases, the subsequent spending down of those accumulated funds and reactions to bank failures – it appears to have stabilized and returned to pre-pandemic levels with balance growth essentially flat. According to the American Bankers Association (ABA), […]
While going with your gut can work in some scenarios, it can put you at a disadvantage when it comes to loan pricing in the highly competitive community banking space. Community bankers pride themselves on operating by relationship and providing personal service to their customers, and implementing a loan pricing model takes nothing away from […]
Niche banking is transforming the financial landscape by focusing on specialized market segments and delivering highly tailored services that traditional banks often overlook. Unlike the broad, one-size-fits-all approach of legacy institutions, niche banks develop deep expertise in the unique needs of their chosen communities. For traditional banks, the rise of niche banking offers valuable lessons. By learning from the specialists, mainstream banks can enhance their own offerings, improve customer satisfaction and stay competitive in an evolving digital marketplace.
As financial leaders scan the horizon to determine what is in the future for community banking, they are examining every organizational area that can be improved. They are asking, “Where do we need to get better in order to succeed?” and “What is the winning combination?” PRI consultant Brett Rawls says the answers lie in marrying process improvement with strong strategy and cultures of efficiency within the bank.
What does a high performing financial institution have in common with Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV? More than you’d think at first glance! In the film, Rocky confronts Ivan Drago, who prepares for the match using high-tech equipment, a team of experts monitoring his every movement, and regular doses of steroids. Rocky, however, focuses on […]
In considering how a technology strategy enhances strategic planning, PRI Director of System Evaluation Mike Neale says he tends to think of things slightly differently. A technology strategy is not just an enhancement to the strategic planning process, it is born from the business strategy and supports it wholly. Technology strategies should not be developed […]
Sound strategic plans are essential to the long-term success of a financial institution, and involving the right people in the process is vital to an organization’s success. Too often, senior leaders overlook the value of inviting and including their young future leaders at the table. Mikelle Brady, PRI partner, says PRI has seen in its […]
