7 questions to ask before you invest in regtech Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Focus, Software, Technology, Trends 7 questions to ask before you invest in regtech Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Focus, Software, Technology, Trends Technology can ease the complexity of regulatory compliance, but it pays to go into the buying process with your eyes open. By Cheryl Winokur Munk To say regulatory compliance is complicated and costly for banks is a no-brainer. In a recent study of the U.S. banking industry from Wolters Kluwer, 47% of respondents ranked manual […]
Banks that found their niche lending markets Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Business, Focus, General, Lending Technology has blurred community banks’ geographic borders for some lending niches—but for others, face-to-face remains the gold standard. These community banks know one size doesn’t always fit all. By Katie Kuehner-Hebert The gold standard for community banks is finding a lucrative lending niche, but how do you decide which delivery channels are best for which […]
Preventing and detecting mortgage fraud Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Consumer, Focus, Lending, Mortgage, Regulation & Compliance Many compliance functions are needed to detect mortgage fraud, from FACTA and FCRA to the SAFE Act. Here’s a look at the requirements. By Mary Thorson-Wright Mortgage fraud criminals scheme to separate people from their money (fraud for profit) or to obtain housing (fraud for property). The FBI, which routinely investigates incidents of fraud, defines […]
How to defend your bank from ransomware Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Focus, Regulation & Compliance, Safety & Soundness Cybercriminals are taking advantage of ransomware’s low barrier of entry to compromise data and networks from banks, service providers and even customers. But experts say community banks can protect themselves with education, data management and security procedures. By Karen Epper Hoffman Cybercrime often mirrors crime in the physical world, and nowhere is this more apparent […]
SEO: Boost your bank’s visibility with this tool Apr 01st 2020 12:04am on Focus, Marketing, Membership, Technology, Trends Search engine optimization, or SEO, helps people find your community bank’s website. Here are five ways you can help your bank rise up the search rankings. By Ed Avis When somebody is looking for a new bank, what is the first thing they do? They Google “bank near me” or something similar. If your bank […]
Community banks are financing ag innovation Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Agriculture, Focus, Lending The U.S. agriculture industry continues to see big-picture changes, from consumer trends to erratic weather conditions, but community banks are there for them. That puts them in a key position to support agricultural innovation and help push the industry forward. By Ed Avis The pressure on America’s farmers is evolving. Climate change makes the weather less […]
What you need to know about instant issue cards Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Focus, Hardware, Products & Services, Retail, Technology Luckily for the many community bankers who are considering instant issue cards this year, adoption of the service has never been easier thanks to new technology. But community banks should ensure best practices for protecting cardholders and staying compliant. By Mary Yerkes Many community bankers are looking to enhance their bank’s customer experience, and instant […]
Social media tips from your peers Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Focus, Marketing, Membership A group of community bank marketers scattered across the country are connecting online to figure out how to best answer their social media-related conundrums. By Beth Mattson-Teig “How do I create more engaging social media content?” “How frequently should I post?” “Do I have to worry about our bank’s tweets or posts creating regulatory issues?” […]
These two banks are growing with green loans Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Focus, General, Lending Following the rise of the renewable energy industry, some community banks have entered the green lending market. They’re offering financing for eco projects from solar power arrays to biofuel developments. Here’s how they do it. By William Atkinson The renewable energy industry is growing by leaps and bounds, with no end in sight. As such, […]
How the world’s banks are using the IoT Mar 01st 2020 12:03am on Focus, Technology, Trends Across the globe, banks and fintechs are experimenting with web-connected devices—collectively, the Internet of Things (IoT). While some experiments have worked and some have failed, their efforts offer a glimpse into what’s possible with connected devices. By Adam Oxford Legend has it that, when traveling to the Soviet Union for a concert in 1986, Russian-born, American […]
