HabChat

One of the most valuable opportunities is to learn what's working in the real world for other financial institutions. In this special episode, we talk to several Haberfeld 2026 Symposium attendees who came to Omaha, NE to network, learn, and share - not from the "Oracle of Omaha" but from each other. Hear stories of their successes as we chat with them live at our annual Symposium e...

It's an art. It's a science. It’s creative marketing! In “The Creative Core: Part 1,” we spoke with members of our Creative Team about how our three pillars of marketing (Content, Strategy, Design) help community institutions reach and engage the best prospects possible while making the most of every dollar. In this follow-up episode, HabChat hosts Scott and Susan reconnect with Cory Kib...

We have all been a part of a team – good or bad. Teams are found at work and at play. They can include thousands or just two. On the basketball court, in the orchestra pit, the military combat unit, and the boardroom, dynamic teams are critical to successfully get things done. At Haberfeld, every day we work to harness the power of dynamic teams so that we can help our clients accelerate growth. I...

To help our clients reach and engage the best possible prospects while getting the most out of every dollar spent, our Creative Team relies on what we call the three pillars of marketing: Content, Strategy, and Design. Together, these pillars ensure we reach the right people with the right messaging at the right time and in the right ways, all for maximum institutional growth. In this special epis...

A change of leadership is as complicated as it is exciting. In the best cases, there is genuine sadness from bidding farewell to a leader who has spent so many years guiding, directing, inspiring, and shaping an organization. Meanwhile, there is also joy and anticipation in promoting a new leader who is eager to take up the mantle and lead an organization down new roads while honoring the past.  B...

Haberfeld Symposium, our annual gathering of leaders from client-institutions, is the ideal opportunity for the country’s best community bankers to connect with one another, learn from Haberfeld experts and guest speakers, and have a lot of fun! This year’s Symposium took place in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, where HabChat producer Jason Ortiz and Cohost Susan Kubert had the chance to speak with severa...

There are many components to having an engaged and high-functioning team. Of these, two of the most critical are (a) ongoing training and (b) effective and trustworthy branch managers, which means it is especially important for managers to receive continuing education. Whether your branch managers are getting a refresher on conducting the 8-Step Sales Process or learning new principles in leading...

Let’s face it: It can be difficult to share a new idea with your superiors. This difficulty can stem from fear of judgment, insecurity about your idea’s worth, lack of confidence in presenting your ideas effectively, or any number of other places.  However hard it can be, sharing ideas is also vital. The fact is, we can’t always expect our leaders to be the ones with great ideas or all the answers...

Think about the last time you made a major decision; perhaps moving, changing jobs, buying a new car, planning a vacation, or any number of other significant life choices. How much information did you collect prior to making that decision?  Whether you gathered a lot of information or a little, collecting at least some data is key to making a choice you’re happy with. When a Financial Institution...

According to a May 2023 Gallup survey, fully engaged customers represent a 23% premium share of wallet, profitability, revenue, and relationship growth over the average customer. In other words, we shouldn’t just be opening new checking accounts and hoping for the best. Fully engaging with new customers after they’ve left the branch is just as important as clearly asking for their business at the...

Have you had the good fortune to attend Haberfeld Symposium? If not, you really should consider attending. I mean, not only do you get the opportunity to see your favorite Haberfeld employee-owners and connect with our AMAZING clients, but you also get to witness the unveiling of the Haberfeld Report!  The Haberfeld Report is a time-honored annual tradition that offers a look behind the curtain of...

Imagine for a moment: After making yourself thoroughly indispensable within your institution, you are promoted to a management role. Congratulations! You did it! You’ve worked hard for years and mastered every aspect of your job, and this promotion is very well-deserved. But, once you step into your role, you quickly realize that you are quite unprepared to lead others. You may even feel like you’...

Whether we’re seeking personal, professional, or institutional growth, getting there will always be a journey. A financial institution’s journey will involve many factors, but some of the highest drivers for deposit growth relate to having compelling products and a strong culture that promotes innovation. Mid Oregon Credit Union is one such institution, and they’ve seen tremendous growth in their...

Imagine:  You have been leading your financial institution for decades, and you’re immensely proud that you’ve helped it grow in almost every way. Now, as you reflect on 30-plus years of hard work, struggles, wins, and relationships, you realize it’s time to take a step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  But what does that look like, exactly? How do you slowly step away, and who is going to...

We’d say the battle for deposits is heating up, but in truth, it’s already red-hot.  With every financial institution in America doing everything they can to attract new deposit customers, it's crucial for your institution to have a solid strategy and an account lineup to match. For years, Haberfeld has preached the Free Account, and it’s still absolutely critical. But, what if we told you th...

Imagine for a moment that you’re starting up a bank or credit union. You already know the type of culture you want to build, the community you want to support, and even the products you want to provide. Now, you just need to figure out how to get people in the door to open an account. Shouldn’t be too hard, right? Just put up a sign, run a few ads in the local paper, and maybe go door to door.  An...

Once a year, Haberfeld hosts an annual symposium for our clients. Symposium is a great way for Haberfeld clients to connect with one another, learn from the Haberfeld experts, and have a lot of fun! We were very fortunate to sit down with Lori Loffler of Community Bank N.A. (NY), David Layton of First State Bank (TX), Brady Stratton of First Community Bank (UT), Debbie Arnold of Peoples Bank (AR),...

It’s safe to say that every financial institution wants to grow. Well, growth isn’t something that happens overnight; it happens when one is consistently working towards it. This is where the Haberfeld HPG™ strategy comes in, but does it really work? The short answer is YES! Not only does it work, but there are countless advocates for this strategy. One of those advocates is Doug Carey who is a fo...

Let’s face it: We’ve all had a leader that we never trusted, didn’t get along with, or weren’t supported by. The way the world works today, it’s crucial to have leaders in our organizations that build trust, inspire others, and promote growth. Join Patrick and Susan as they speak with Haberfeld’s Ben O’Neill and Ned Pauley about leadership’s true role in your FI’s growth. Here, Ben and Ned also of...

Take control of your financial institution and have sustainable growth for years to come. Habchat offers an in-depth look at how the Haberfeld strategy works. Join Patrick Reese and Susan Kubert as they talk with industry leaders, Haberfeld experts, and current Haberfeld clients. Listen in as we discuss the proven strategy that will help grow core deposits and set your financial institution up for...