The Correspondent is the community banker’s go-to source for community banking content and resources. Browse podcast episodes featuring trusted voices, on topics that matter for your institution.
Since 2022, deposit strategy has taken center stage for community banks. With the Federal Reserve’s rapid rate hikes, the competition for deposits has intensified, and banks are feeling the squeeze. Balancing liquidity needs, funding loans, and staying competitive on rates without eroding profitability is no small feat. This episode features Neil Stanley, the CEO and Founder of The CorePoint, a platform helping banks source fixed-rate deposits more strategically. Listen as he and host Madison Caplinger discuss the current deposit landscape, what community banks can do to stay competitive, and how technology can play a role in reshaping deposit strategy. Helpful Links: Follow Neil on LinkedIn: (2) Neil Stanley | LinkedIn The CorePoint: The CorePoint
5/14/25 • 38:32
The economy has been a hot topic for most of the first quarter, and uncertainties have left community banks unsure of how to respond. Host Madison Caplinger discusses the prevalent issues with chief lending officer, Brandon Feltner, new chief finance officer Chris Dew, and Scott Kimel from FNBB Capital Markets. Helpful Links ICBB/FNBB Investment Services: Investment Services - ICBB ICBB Participation Loans: Bank Participation Loans Services - ICBB Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: Brandon Feltner | LinkedIn Follow Scott on LinkedIn: Scott Kimel | LinkedIn Follow Chris on LinkedIn: Christopher Dew | LinkedIn
4/23/25 • 34:34
ICBB’s annual credit conference, “New Frontier: Banking Credit in a Transforming Landscape” is coming up May 14-16 in Lexington, KY. Joe Pigg, senior vice president and senior counsel for the American Bankers’ Association, will present a session on CRA and ESG for community banks. Listen to a preview of that discussion here and register now for this and other timely presentations on credit, lending, and other banking topics. Helpful Links Register Now: https://www.icbbcreditconference.com/event-details/new-frontier-banking-credit-in-a-transforming-landscape-1?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=credit-conference-2025 Follow Joe on LinkedIn: (3) Joe Pigg | LinkedIn
4/9/25 • 22:43
Women have made great strides toward inclusion in banking, business, and financial literacy over the past few decades. However, pronounced disparities still persist in all of these areas. In this episode of The Correspondent podcast, host Madison Caplinger interview with Britney Campbell, senior vice president of marketing and public relations at Legends Bank in Nashville, Tennessee, and founder of Her Bank, a bank brand by women, for women. Britney and the Her Bank team are dedicated to empowering women with the financial tools and knowledge they need to succeed, both personally and as entrepreneurs. Helpful Links Learn More About Her Bank: Home - Her Bank by Legends Bank Follow Britney on LinkedIn: (15) Britney Campbell, CFMP | LinkedIn
3/26/25 • 27:44
March is Women's History Month, and at ICBB, we’ve declared it Women in Banking month. While more and more women are represented at every level in banking, there is still room to grow. In this episode, Natalie Bartholomew, of The Girl Banker blog and podcast, discusses how female bankers can build their careers, navigate challenges, and professionally advocate for themselves. Helpful Links Check out The Girl Banker: The Girl Banker Follow Natalie on LinkedIn: (5) Natalie Bartholomew | LinkedIn
3/12/25 • 46:30
The payments landscape is changing quickly, and with it come evolving risks. How can community banks build a payments risk management program that mitigates ever-changing threats? Nanci McKenzie, a payments expert with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, discusses how banks can build an effective payments risk management program. Helpful Links: Follow Nanci on LinkedIn: (10) Nanci McKenzie | LinkedIn Register for our Credit Conference: New Frontier: Banking Credit in a Transforming Landscape | ICBB Cred Conference
2/12/25 • 38:26
Participation loans represent an opportunity for community banks to grow or manage their loan portfolio without exceeding their legal lending limit. But how does participation lending work at ICBB? In this episode, a participation loan panel, including chief lending officer Brandon Feltner; correspondent loan officer Paul Loxley; loan operations manager Beth Soard; and senior credit manager Michael Searcy break down the participation process step by step. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1/29/25 • 33:07
A new year brings many new opportunities, but also some uncertainty. In this episode, host Madison Caplinger discusses the issues and trends community bankers should consider in 2025 with CEO and president Derek Hetherington, and sales manager and account executive Zac Bodenheimer.
1/15/25 • 67:30
Changes in interest rates, regulations, and consumer preferences can make community bank lending a challenge. One tool to manage a bank’s loan portfolio is to utilize participation loans—something with which ICBB is well acquainted and ready to help. In this episode, host Madison Caplinger discusses participation lending with chief lending officer Brandon Feltner; correspondent loan officer Paul Loxley; and loan operations manager Beth Soard. Helpful Links: Contact Brandon: bfeltner@icbb.bank Contact Paul: ploxley@icbb.bank Contact Beth: bsoard@icbb.bank Participation Lending with ICBB: Bank Participation Loans Services | ICBB
10/23/24 • 22:57
In this Q3 market update episode, host Madison Caplinger discusses recent interest rate moves by the Federal Reserve, upcoming regulatory changes, and more with ICBB CFO Eli Barber, chief lending officer Brandon Feltner, and Scott Kimel from FNBB Capital Markets. Helpful Links: Contact Scott Kimel: skimel@bankers-bank.com ICBB Participation Loans: Bank Participation Loans Services | ICBB Contact Brandon Feltner: bfeltner@icbb.bank
10/9/24 • 21:04
In light of the upcoming presidential election, policy is a hot topic in the news and in the minds of bankers. Part of the value our state bankers’ associations provide is legislative advocacy. In this episode, ICBB CEO Derek Hetherington and Ballard Cassady, CEO of the Kentucky Bankers Association, discuss upcoming legislation that will affect community banks in Kentucky and nationwide. Helpful Links Kentucky Bankers’ Association: Kentucky Bankers Association (kybanks.com) Follow Ballard on LinkedIn: (2) Ballard Cassady | LinkedIn Follow Derek on LinkedIn: (2) Derek Hetherington | LinkedIn
9/25/24 • 75:40
The use of AI is on the rise across industries, and community bankers must decide if and how they are going to incorporate it into their operations. But how do they ensure safety and compliance in all its uses? In this episode, host Madison Caplinger discusses with Milton Bartley, CEO of ImageQuest, how to develop an AI Policy at your bank. Helpful Links: Register for BOOM: https://www.icbbcourses.online/event-details/boom-compliance-shattering-expectations-1?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=boom-2024 Follow Milton on LinkedIn: (4) Milton Bartley | LinkedIn Follow ImageQuest on LinkedIn: (4) ImageQuest LLC: Overview | LinkedIn
9/12/24 • 31:02
Interest rate SWAPs are a loan pricing tool often used by large financial institutions to manage their interest rate risk and offer customers long-term, fixed rate loans. But how do they work, and what opportunities do they represent for community banks? Madison discusses these questions with CEO Derek Hetherington and CFO Eli Barber. Helpful Links Contact Derek: dhetherington@icbb.bank Contact Eli: ebarber@icbb.bank Follow Derek on LinkedIn: Derek Hetherington | LinkedIn Follow Eli on LinkedIn: Eli Barber | LinkedIn
8/14/24 • 37:55
In this quarterly market update episode, Eli Barber, chief finance officer at ICBB; Brandon Feltner, chief lending officer at ICBB; and Scott Kimel from FNBB Capital Markets discuss the state of community banking, the economy, and capital markets, as well as recurring issues like the interest rate environment, liquidity, and inflation trends. Contact Brandon Feltner: bfeltner@icbb.bank Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: (3) Brandon Feltner | LinkedIn Contact Eli Barber: ebarber@icbb.bank Follow Eli on LinkedIn: (1) Eli Barber | LinkedIn Follow Scott on LinkedIn: (3) Scott Kimel | LinkedIn
7/24/24 • 33:59
Community bankers consistently name changing regulatory requirements as a top challenge in today’s climate. Managing compliance risk can be an expensive and difficult component of the life of a community bank. In this episode, host Madison Caplinger engages Charles LeFevre, principal consultant at Stanford Hill, instructor at the ABA’s Bank Marketing school, and sought-after speaker on compliance topics on upcoming regulatory changes such as new FDIC logo regulations, consumer protection legislation, and enhanced requirements for operational and financial resilience. Helpful Links Follow Charles on LinkedIn: (1) Charles LeFevre | LinkedIn Visit Charles’ Website: Big Easy Advisors – Make Banking Simple (bigeasybanking.com) FDIC Logo Update Press Release: FDIC Finalizes Rule to Modernize Official Signs and Advertising Statement Requirements for Insured Depository Institutions | FDIC
7/10/24 • 33:09
Fraud attempts are on the rise, with consumers reportedly losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023. Artificial intelligence can make these attempts more sophisticated and harder to identify. So how can community bankers protect their customers from the devastating effects of fraud? Listen as host Madison Caplinger and Scott Augenbaum, retired FBI agent, cybersecurity trainer, public speaker, and author of The Secret to Cybersecurity, discuss fraud in the age of AI, cybercrime, and how bankers can protect their customers. Helpful Links Connect with Scott on LinkedIn for a FREE copy of The Secret to Cybersecurity: Scott E. Augenbaum | LinkedIn Visit Scott’s Website: Building a Cyber Secure Mindset-Scott Augenbaum
6/26/24 • 39:48
The mission of ICBB has always been to protect, promote, and support the community banking model. The Community Bankers Association of Ohio has a similar mission, and they just celebrated their 50th anniversary. To celebrate with them, Madison Caplinger and Derek Hetherington to discuss with Aza Bittinger, president of the CBAO, the evolution of the CBAO, its goals and future, and the state of community banking. Helpful Links Learn more about the CBAO: HOME (cbao.bank) Visit ohio.bank: Home (ohio.bank) Follow Aza on LinkedIn: (2) Aza Bittinger Jr | LinkedIn
6/12/24 • 33:52
This episode comes live from our 2024 annual credit conference on May 9, 2024. How can we build tomorrow’s lenders and preserve the future of community banking? Host Madison Caplinger discusses this topic with a panel including Maggie Abney, director of Eastern Kentucky University’s Evans Banking and Financial Services program; Jamie Beaulieu, senior vice president of executive education for the ABA; and ICBB Chief Human Resource Officer Britney Leach. Helpful Links Follow Maggie on LinkedIn: Maggie Abney, CTP | LinkedIn Follow Jamie on LinkedIn: Jamie (Matlin) Beaulieu, CAE | LinkedIn Follow Britney on LinkedIn: Britney Carter Leach | LinkedIn EKU Banking & Financial Services Program: Finance, Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Banking and Financial Services (B.B.A.) < Eastern Kentucky University (eku.edu) ABA Training & Events: Training & Events - Online & In-Person Training for Bankers | American Bankers Association (aba.com)
5/22/24 • 55:59
What is a brand? And how does a community bank build one that resonates with their customers and stands the test of time? Host Madison Caplinger and Amber Farley, partner at Financial Marketing Solutions in Nashville, discussed this topic. Amber is a faculty member for the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, ABA Banking Marketing School, and a highly sought-after speaker in the bank marketing space. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Helpful Links Follow Amber on LinkedIn: (7) Amber Farley | LinkedIn Follow FMS on LinkedIn: (7) FMS: Overview | LinkedIn Learn More About FMS: Home - FMS (financialmarketingsolutions.com)
5/8/24 • 46:13
In the first market update episode of 2024, host Madison Caplinger discusses events and trends of the first quarter with Brandon Feltner, chief lending officer at ICBB; Eli Barber, chief finance officer at ICBB; and Scott Kimel from FNBB/ICBB Capital Markets. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Helpful Links Register for our Credit Conference: https://www.icbbcreditconference.com/?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=credit-conference-2024 ICBB/FNBB Investment Services: Investment Services - ICBB (Independent Correspondent Bankers Bank, Inc) Follow Brandon on LinkedIn: (4) Brandon Feltner | LinkedIn Follow Eli on LinkedIn: (4) Eli Barber | LinkedIn Follow Scott on LinkedIn: (4) Scott Kimel | LinkedIn
4/24/24 • 35:26
Our upcoming annual credit conference, “Breaking Barriers: Adapt, Evolve, Overcome,” will feature insights from experts in credit and lending. One of those experts, Dev Strischek of Devon Risk Advisory Group, joined the podcast to discuss his presentation topic: “Evaluating a Borrower’s Ability to Survive Inflation and Recession.” Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn More About Our Credit Conference: https://www.icbbcreditconference.com/?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=credit-conference-2024 Follow Dev on LinkedIn: (3) Dev Strischek | LinkedIn Dev Strischek’s Webinars: DEV STRISCHEK (grceducators.com)
4/10/24 • 50:49
To wrap up Women in Banking Month, this episode of The Correspondent features the ABA’s Most Powerful Women in Banking for 2023. Jill Castilla has been a prominent figure in community banking nationally since working with Mark Cuban in 2020 to help her customers at Citizens Bank of Edmond in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has since founded an online bank for military members called ROGER. She and ICBB president and CEO, Derek Hetherington, discussed innovating as a community bank, leading through change, serving niche populations effectively, and more. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Helpful Links Register for Our Credit Conference: https://www.icbbcreditconference.com/?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=podcast-show-notes&utm_campaign=credit-conference-2024&utm_term=s2-e6 Contact Jill Castilla: jcastilla@mycitizens.bank Follow Jill on LinkedIn: (2) Jill Castilla | LinkedIn Citizens Bank of Edmond: Citizens Bank of Edmond | Committed to Our Community (mycitizens.bank) Citizens Bank of Edmond on LinkedIn: (2) Citizens Bank of Edmond: Overview | LinkedIn ROGER: Roger | Mobile Banking | Command Your Future ROGER on LinkedIn: (2) ROGER Bank: Overview | LinkedIn
3/27/24 • 68:12
March is Women’s History Month, and at ICBB, we’ve declared it women in banking month. This month’s episodes of The Correspondent will highlight women who are making waves in banking. In this episode, host Madison Caplinger has a conversation with Ilaria Rawlins and Lisa Berger, part of the team founding Fortuna Bank: Ohio’s first woman-owned bank and one of three of its kind in the country. Listen for a discussion on the process of founding a de novo bank, the unique financial needs of women and female entrepreneurs, and what community banks can do to help meet them. Helpful Links: Register for the Credit Conference: https://www.icbbcreditconference.com/event-details/breaking-barriers-icbb-annual-credit-conference-2024-1?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=podcast-ad&utm_campaign=credit-conference-2024 Follow Fortuna Bank (in organization) on LinkedIn: (2) Fortuna Bank (in organization): Overview | LinkedIn Follow Ilaria Rawlins on LinkedIn: (2) Ilaria Rawlins | LinkedIn Follow Lisa Berger on LinkedIn: (2) Lisa Berger | LinkedIn ICBB De Novo Services: De Novo Banking Services | ICBB
3/13/24 • 27:33
Many community banks express hesitation about embracing social media, citing compliance concerns, resources, reputational risk, and more. But for some community banks, the benefits have far outweighed the risk. For example, Paducah Bank in Paducah, Kentucky, was an early adopter of social media marketing and has gained attention from The Financial Brand for their efforts. In this episode, Susan Guess, chief marketing officer at Paducah Bank, and Madison Caplinger discuss the benefits of investing in social media and other creative marketing strategies for community banks. Register for the Credit Conference: icbbcreditconference.com The Financial Brand Article on Susan and Paducah Bank: Social Media Savvy Stokes Outsize Customer Engagement for This Bank (thefinancialbrand.com) Follow Susan on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-guess-16bb7913/ Follow Paducah Bank on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PaducahBank Learn More About Paducah Bank: Paducah Bank | KY Mortgage Loans | Checking & Savings Accounts
2/28/24 • 41:13
Community banks aren’t just competing with other banks for deposits, but with fintechs, neobanks, and other non-bank challengers. How can a community bank remain competitive with limited resources in such a rapidly changing environment? Maybe it’s not the platform, but the product. In this episode, Ron Shevlin, chief research officer at Cornerstone Advisors and author of the Forbes column, Fintech SnarkTank, highlights a growing need to redefine banking products, community, strategy, and innovation. Follow Ron Shevlin on LinkedIn: (3) Ron Shevlin | LinkedIn Cornerstone Advisors: Expert Banking Consultants - Cornerstone Advisors (crnrstone.com) Follow Ron Shevlin on Forbes: Ron Shevlin (forbes.com) Ron’s “What’s Going on in Banking” Podcast: What's Going On In Banking on Apple Podcasts
2/14/24 • 49:40
Providing for the financial wellness of staff is an important retention and recruitment tool for community banks. Navigating retirement savings offerings can be so complex and costly that it seems out of reach. However, ICBB is partnering with Lincoln Financial and Envisage Wealth Advisors to offer community banks a solution called a MEAP Plan. This plan can alleviate administrative burden while remaining cost effective for your institution. Listen as Madison discusses that option with Britney Leach, Chief Human Resource Officer for ICBB; Aaron Wiseman, from Lincoln Financial; and Neil Howard from Envisage Wealth Advisors. Helpful Links: Discovering FedNow Instant Payments: Insights for Community Banks with the Payments Professor: https://www.icbbcourses.online/event-details/discover-fednow-instant-payments-insights-for-community-banks-with-the-payments-professor?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=podcast-ad&utm_campaign=fednow-event-2024 Follow Aaron Wiseman on LinkedIn: (4) Aaron Wiseman, QKA, QPFC | LinkedIn Follow Neil Howard on LinkedIn: (4) Neil H. | LinkedIn Envisage Wealth Advisors: Envisage | Your Wealth Experts | Lexington KY (envisagewealthadvisors.com) Contact Britney Leach: bleach@icbb.bank
1/31/24 • 47:16
January is Financial Wellness Month, and financial wellness for community banks starts with strategic planning. But how can you get more out of your strategic planning process than just checking a box for the regulators? CEO Derek Hetherington, who solidified a proactive approach to strategic planning at ICBB after becoming CEO in 2020; and CFO Eli Barber, who served a community bank as an executive during the Great Recession, the pandemic, and an acquisition, discussed the ins and outs of effective, proactive strategic planning. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Helpful Links: Discover FedNow Instant Payments: Insights for Community Banks with the Payments Professor: https://www.icbbcourses.online/event-details/discover-fednow-instant-payments-insights-for-community-banks-with-the-payments-professor?utm_source=the-correspondent&utm_medium=podcast-ad&utm_campaign=fednow-event-2024&utm_content=s2-e1 Follow Derek Hetherington on LinkedIn: (1) Derek Hetherington | LinkedIn Follow Eli Barber on LinkedIn: (1) Eli Barber | LinkedIn
1/17/24 • 61:47
In the final episode of 2023, Madison Caplinger is joined by chief credit officer Stephanie Oerther, CEO and president Derek Hetherington, and Scott Kimel from our partners at FNBB Capital Markets to discuss the trends of Q3 and the outlook for Q4 of 2023.
11/6/23 • 41:27
Talent acquisition and retention have recently been a challenge for organizations across all industries, and uniquely so for community banks. How can community banks attract and keep young, entry-level talent? Maggie Abney, director of the Evans Banking & Financial Services program at Eastern Kentucky University, and Britney Leach, human resources director at ICBB, discuss this question in this week's episode.
10/23/23 • 49:22
Since the launch of the Federal Reserve’s FedNow instant payments rail, the topic of faster payments has been front and center on bankers’ radars. Some institutions have enthusiastically embraced it, while others have taken a more cautious approach. In this episode, Madison joins ICBB chief operations officer Becky Sisco, product development specialist Todd Beers, and payments influencer and executive, Kevin Olsen to discuss the implications of FedNow from its benefits to its challenges and strategies to implementation. In addition to his role as a senior vice president of innovation and strategy at Pidgin, Kevin Olsen creates content on social media as “The Payments Professor,” explaining complex payments topics in an engaging, down-to-earth way. Kevin’s Webiste: FedNow, RTP, and ACH Electronic payments Education simplified (paymentsprofessor.com) Follow Kevin on Social Media: Payments Professor "Kevin Olsen" | LinkedIn Payments Professor - YouTube Learn More about Pidgin: Pidgin - Faster Payments Platform
10/9/23 • 38:27
