On the Balance Sheet®

In Season 3 Episode 5, the guys are joined by Colliers Director of Research Aaron Jodka and DCG colleague Justin Bakst. The four dig into multiple topics in the commercial real estate landscape, including: why "commercial lending" can't be painted with a broad brush, differentiation between community and larger bank exposures,  investor outlook on “work from home” policies, contagio...

In this episode, the guys are joined by Howard Bluver, Director at Studio Bank (TN) and Israel Discount Bank (NY). The depth and breadth of Howard’s professional experience serve as the foundation for a wide-ranging and engaging discussion. Howard discusses his “entry” into banking after obtaining a law degree and going to work with the Securities and Exchange Commission. From there, he shares the...

In this month's episode, the guys are joined by Jim Cone, a Director at both CapTex Bank and Victory Bank (TX). Jim shares insights ranging from his early days in business development to purchasing a bank with just $10 million in assets and growing it to over $1 billion. He also talks about the value of C&I relationships, finding the best businesses in a community and "riding with th...

DCG Managing Director Joe Kennerson joins Zach and Vinny to dive into 5 key questions for bankers as we move our way through 2024. The trio tackles lingering deposit cost pressures, potential cost relief if the Fed eases, prospects for margin recovery, the need to talk about bond strategy, and whether falling rates will be everything the industry hopes for. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG a...

In this episode, the guys are joined by DCG colleague Keri Crooks for a discussion with Greg Dufour, the outgoing President and Chief Executive Officer of Camden National Bank. Greg talks about his 20 plus years with the bank and his stewardship of an institution that has grown from $2 billion (2009) to the largest publicly traded bank in Northern New England. Greg talks about the critical importa...

In episode 13, newly elected American Bankers Association (ABA) chair Julie Thurlow joins the show. Julie, Vin, Zach, and Frank Farone discuss what she hopes to accomplish with the ABA, key opportunities and threats for the industry, and how she saved Frank when they were in Nashville at the ABA Annual Conference. Julie also appeared on season 1 episode 7, where the four dove into her background a...

In this month's episode, Zach and Vin are joined by Chris Nelson, Founder and President of Nelson Capital Advisors (and formerly of Bangor Savings Bank).  Chris talks about his early days, which took him from the broadcasting booth to the Trust Department and ultimately into the CIO’s chair. Along the way, Chris shares some of his most valuable lessons regarding the importance of managing liq...

Join Vin and Zach as they go “2 on 2” with CEO Chris Gosnell and CFO Drew Chandler of Farmers Bank and Trust (Arkansas / Texas). In this episode, the guys discuss banking in small markets, expansion into larger ones, the efficacy of hedging, and business opportunities associated with operating “in the same neighborhood” of our country’s largest lithium deposit. Lastly, the boys recount their recen...

In episode 10, Matt McCullin, Chief Financial Officer at ANECA Federal Credit Union in Shreveport, LA joins the show. Matt, Vin, and Zach explore a wide range of topics, including Matt’s time in the banking and public accounting industries prior to his arrival at ANECA, being an opportunistic banker, not sweating the small stuff, and the "unfathomable" Karl Malone. For more insights and...

In this month’s episode, Vin and Zach are joined by Jeanne Hulit, President and CEO of Maine Community Bank. The depth and breadth of Jeanne’s resume provides the backdrop for a wide-ranging discussion that includes her:  Journey from international business to the regional and community banking arenas Time as the acting administrator with the Small Business Administration Current stewardship of a...

In episode 8 of season 2, Vin, Zach, and DCG Managing Director Steve Boselli are joined by Rob McCormick, Chairman, President, & Chief Executive Officer of Trustco Bank in New York. The four explore a wide range of topics, including the basics of running a 120-year-old institution now worth over $6B in assets, the "Walmart approach," and why it is all about location, location, locati...

Live from the 2023 DCG Annual Conference, join Vin and Zach as they cover the key issues being discussed on stage. They are joined on the ground by three conference attendees (George Kelly of Liberty Bay CU, MA; Jon Schmaderer of TriCounty Bank, NE; Karyn Hale of Union Bank, VT) who sit down for an open forum on the opportunities / threats to their businesses, the outlook for their balance sheets...

Live from DCG’s 39th Annual Conference, Vin and Zach are joined by Chris Low, Chief Economist at FHN Financial. Chris has a long and strong track record forecasting rates, and the three explore an array of topics including: Chris’ latest rate forecast, the magic behind another hike (or two) from the Fed,  soft landing skepticism, and a Mini-Minsky Moment. For more insights and ideas, visit DCG at...

In episode 5, Planters Bank (KY) Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth McCoy joins the show. Elizabeth, Vin, and Zach delve into her journey growing Planters Bank over the past two decades, what she believes community banks do best, her fascinating time serving the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis where she is currently a board member, and her “I'm not in Kansas anymore" moment. For more in...

Geoffrey Hesslink, Chairman & CEO of the newly formed Bank of Burlington, is our featured guest on episode four of season two. Geoffrey joins Vin, Zach, and DCG Managing Director Joe Kennerson live in the studio to dig into de novo banking in these current turbulent times. The discussion starts with the story of what led Geoffrey and his fellow organizers to pursue launching a new community ba...

Join Vin, Zach, and DCG Managing Director Frank Farone in a timely discussion with internationally-renowned economist Dr. Lacy Hunt, Chief Economist of Hoisington Investment Management Company.  The four discuss:  How we have entered a Minsky Moment Bond investors “looking the wrong way down a one-way street” The longer-term implications of the debt overhang on the term structure of interest rates...

In this month’s episode, Vin, Zach, and DCG Managing Director Mike Mitchell speak with Amey Sgrignoli, CEO of Belco Community Credit Union in Harrisburg, Pa – recently named one of the "Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions" by American Banker.   Amey chronicles her professional journey, which started in the “trenches” and transitioned into a leadership role at a $900 million credit union...

In the first episode of season 2, Vin and Zach sit down with DCG President and CEO Matt Pieniazek to discuss his predictions for the new year. The three delve into subjects including identifying the critical issues for banks and credit unions to get right in 2023, what leading ALCOs are focusing on to operate as profit centers, lessons on deposits and lending from DCG’s predictive models, and why...

In episode #10, Vin and Zach dive into an engaging conversation with BJ Goetz, President & CEO of Middletown Valley Bank in Maryland. BJ discusses how a hyperfocus on customers drove the bank’s evolution from a $140 million rural institution into a publicly traded $900 million “technology company that handles people’s money” in just over a decade. He chronicles his journey from teller to Chief...

In a riveting episode #9, Leader Bank (MA) President Jay Tuli joins the show.  Jay, along with Vin, Zach, and DCG Principal Mike Carney, explores Leader Bank’s path since opening its doors 20 years ago. The group probes Leader Bank’s culture of experimentation and continuous innovation, how to get the best talent and delight customers, and “modern banking with a human touch.” For more insights and...

In episode #8, Kennebec Savings Bank (Augusta, ME) President & CEO Andrew Silsby joins Vin, Zach, and DCG Executive Director Keith Reagan. The group delves into an assortment of interesting topics, ranging from Andrew’s deep background in banking and his thoughts on management trainee programs and developing future leaders, what it truly means to be a community bank, deposit growth and pricing...

In this episode, Reading Cooperative Bank President & CEO Julie Thurlow joins Vin, Zach, and DCG’s own Managing Director Frank Farone.  The four engage in a dynamic discussion that includes dives into Julie’s experiences designing fintech and payment solutions for RCB’s customers, her “aha” moment during the Super Bowl, how she’s survived collaborating with Frank for three-plus decades(!), and...

Whether you work at a credit union or a bank, you will not want to miss this special episode of “On the Balance Sheet” with the National Credit Union Administration’s Vice Chair Kyle Hauptman.  Kyle joins Vin and Zach to talk about a wide variety of topics, including his experiences in the banking world and how they shaped his mission in the public sector, working in the Senate and on a Presidenti...

In episode #5, Newburyport Bank CEO & President Lloyd Hamm joins Vin, Zach, and DCG Managing Director Darnell Canada for an in-depth conversation on the importance of branding and being a “full-service” bank for customers. The four dig into why messaging, imagery, and standardization are critical to developing a strong and long-lasting culture – as well as hedgehogs. For more insights and idea...

In episode #4, North American Banking Company CEO Mike Bilski and CFO Joe Polaczyk join Vin and Zach for a wide-ranging exploration of the essential role of emerging technologies in banking strategy and innovation. Their discussion focuses on NABC’s ACH and Payments Processing businesses and white label P2P product ExcheQ, perspectives on vetting potential fintech partners, and the importance of b...