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Why Compensation Strategy Is Key in the War for Talent
In this episode of Travillian Next, Brian Love speaks with Mike Higgins about how community banks are rethinking compensation strategy in the competition for talent. The discussion explores the shift away from subjective year-end bonuses toward performance-based frameworks that link employee incentives directly to bank profitability. They also examine the “Bank of One” model, which…
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How Pathward Built a Culture That Attracts Top Talent
In this Travillian Next conversation, Amber Buker speaks with Pathward President Anthony Sharett about how the bank builds a culture that attracts and retains top banking talent. Sharett explains how Pathward’s mission-driven approach and fintech partnerships shape its strategy for innovation and leadership. The discussion also highlights Pathward’s “talent anywhere” hiring model and focus on…
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Leadership Succession Lessons from Starion Bank
In this episode, Travillian’s Brian Love speaks with Starion Bank CEO Craig Larson and President Dave Rogstad about the bank’s leadership transition. After launching a national search, Starion ultimately realized its next leader had been developing internally, reinforcing the importance of culture, trust, and long-term alignment. The conversation highlights how succession planning is less about…
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Community Bank Talent Advice from Travillian
2025 was an unpredictable year for community bank hiring. Travillian’s Amber Buker, Keith Daly, and Brian Love reflect on how early optimism in the talent market gave way to hesitation as uncertainty and M&A activity slowed hiring before momentum returned later in the year. The conversation highlights growing competition for banking talent and the increasing…
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Leadership Lessons from Ira Robbins and Brent Beardall
Valley National Bank CEO Ira Robbins and WaFd Bank CEO Brent Beardall reunited at the NEXT Forum to discuss the future of community banking, regulatory pressures, and the widening gap between community banks and institutions that are too big to fail. The two leaders, introduced through Travillian, have also shared insights together on platforms like…
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Three Key Themes from the NEXT Forum
More than 150 bank executives and investors gathered at the NEXT Forum in Philadelphia to discuss the forces shaping modern banking, from technology and M&A to balance sheet management. A key theme was the growing technology imperative, with speakers emphasizing that banks must continuously invest and adapt to stay competitive in an increasingly digital financial…
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Expanding Beyond Local Limits: Denali State Bank and BancAlliance
In this episode of Travillian Next, host Keith Daly speaks with Lori Bettinger and Steve Lundgren about how community banks are navigating growth, competition, and changing interest rate environments. Lundgren shares how Denali State Bank expanded in a limited growth market by partnering with BancAlliance to access diversified lending opportunities. Bettinger explains how BancAlliance helps…
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How Three Banks Turn Product Innovation Into Competitive Advantage
Digital banking and consumer-facing fintech have transformed competition in financial services by prioritizing customer experience over traditional advantages like balance sheets and branch networks. According to research from Cornerstone Advisors, more than $2 trillion has shifted from traditional banks to fintech investment and high-yield savings accounts in recent years, highlighting how product-focused innovation is capturing…
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Finding the Right Tech Leadership: MidWestOne Bank’s CIO Hiring Journey
As MidWestOne Bank grew across multiple states, its leadership realized that advancing tech leadership was essential to meet evolving technology demands. The key question became: when is the right time to hire a Chief Information Officer, and how do you find the right tech leader to drive lasting transformation? In a conversation hosted by hosted…
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Does Banking Have a Looming Succession Planning Crisis?
Succession planning has become a critical issue in the community banking sector, as aging leadership faces imminent retirement and younger generations express limited interest in the industry. In a recent episode of the Community Bank Podcast, host Caleb Stevens (part of South State Bank’s Capital Markets and Correspondent Banking Division) explores this pressing topic with Brian Love (Travillian’s Head…
