ABA Banking Journal Podcast

As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — returning for its ninth season — brings you conversations with two financial industry professionals to help illuminate the impact 9/11 had on bankers, the financial system and the whole nation. ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols was a senior Treasury Department official on 9/11, and he recounts being sent to a secure bunker in the White House complex with Vice President Dick Cheney and other top officials. At Treasury, Nichols had a front-row seat to how the financial system was rewired in the months after 9/11 to stop flows of funds to terrorists and their sponsors. Beth Chunn, a regular contributor to the ABA Banking Journal , was working for Morgan Stanley in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Building on her article in the latest issue of the Banking Journal , Chunn recounts what it was like to be in the World Trade Center that day, to evacuate from the building and from Manhattan.

The ability to pay college athletes has led to dramatic upheaval in banking college sports. Revenue-sharing with athletes has required big increases in spending that colleges may not have been counting on, just to be competitive. Meanwhile, the revenue shares and name, image and likeness marketing is putting big money in the hands of athletes who need extra support to handle it. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Q2 Software — Charles Frazier, head of the entertainment and sports banking unit at City National Bank, talks about how his team supports both colleges and athletes amid these changes. He also discusses athletes' need for holistic financial and business advice, the need for financial literacy and the growing need of college athletics programs for balance sheet solutions to help them stay competitive. Read a Q&A with Frazier in the latest issue of the ABA Banking Journal.

Virtually all banks engage in strategic planning, but how do they ensure the strategic plan actually drives performance and doesn't just get left in a binder on the shelf? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Q2 Software — Exchange Bank's Kevin Bender discusses tactics for making strategic planning a process that engages employees and board members in the future of the bank, drives prioritization of scarce resources and identifies each bank's biggest opportunities. Bender will join Joseph Cady to discuss six components for every bank's strategic plan at the ABA Annual Convention , Oct. 25-27 in Salt Lake City. Early-bird registration ends on July 31.

What kind of difference can a single ratio make? In a new ABA DataBank essay , ABA's Patrick Mitchell and Brittany Kleinpaste discuss the FDIC's 2% Designated Reserve Ratio target for the Deposit Insurance Fund. This target — established by statute but set at the FDIC's discretion — is a level higher than the DIF's Minimum Reserve Ratio of 1.35%, and it has been 2% since it was first established in 2010. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Q2 Software — Mitchell and Kleinpaste discuss the simulations that were used to set the ratio 16 years ago and why it might be time for the FDIC to revisit them. Incorporating data going back to the savings and loan crisis, the simulation is not based on the most current data. It also relied on banks' provisioning data amid the post-financial crisis fallout without taking into account the lower ultimate cost of bank failures. Ultimately, an up-to-date simulation incorporating more current data may allow the FDIC to meet its goals of covering the industry with a different ratio. Read Mitchell and Kleinpaste's essay and a related technical analysis.

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Q2 Software — ABA economist Dan Brown discusses the recent release of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for 2025. He examines several trends, including the varying composition of bank mortgage loans in different regions, where banks face the stiffest nonbank competition in the mortgage market, a recent rebound in refinancings and a growing generation gap in homebuying activity.

To mark the 250th anniversary of Independence Day this week, this classic replay episode of the ABA Banking Journal — sponsored by Q2 Software — explores the role of banking and finance in the American Revolution and the founding era. John Steele Gordon is an acclaimed economic historian whose books include Hamilton's Blessing , The Great Game and An Empire of Wealth ; he is also the ABA Banking Journal's " From the Vault " columnist. In this episode, Gordon discusses: How not having any chartered banks prior to 1782 put the United States at a disadvantage during the Revolution. Conversely, how the Bank of England was a "secret weapon" for Britain during the war. The role of patriotic financiers like Robert Morris in achieving U.S. victory. The debates over a central bank in the post-revolutionary period and how they contributed to the development of the Constitution.

Adam Metz, the newly appointed president and CEO of Central Pennsylvania-based Orrstown Bank, joins the ABA Banking Journal Podcast to discuss the bank's strategy and growth, its dedicated innovation group, how the bank is using AI and the bank's client-focused talent strategy.

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, ABA's Heather Trew breaks down recent news about the president's executive order on illegal immigration and the financial system and the advisory from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the OCC, the FDIC and others on red flags associated with illegal immigration. Trew covers: An overview of the executive order and advisory Financial typologies of suspicious activity linked to illegal immigration that FinCEN has identified — for individual consumers, small businesses and large businesses Scrutiny on the use of individual taxpayer identification numbers, or ITINs, to open accounts, and the technical complexities of differentiating between ITINs and other identifiers How banks can stay in the loop on developments, particularly future changes to the customer due diligence and customer identification program rules

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Nexcess — Texas banker Ryan Coaxum joins the show to discuss how he was welcomed into the banking community as an employee, and how he tries to bring that same feeling of welcome to the people he serves in his job as head of community development and external affairs at Moody Bank. "You want to feel wanted, you want to feel like what you are doing, no matter what scale you're on, that it is important to them. And that's what I'm trying to get out, specifically in communities that are underserved or underbanked," says Coaxum. He discusses what the community development function looks like at Moody Bank, including its participation in the Bank On program and its Palm Pathways mortgage program. Coaxum, a past winner of the ABA Emerging Leader Award and current chair of ABA's Emerging Leaders Council, also talks about how being involved in ABA as an emerging leader has boosted his career and helped him dive into advocacy on behalf of the industry. This episode is presented by Nexcess. Apply for an Emerging Leader Award by June 26.

In an environment with higher-yielding options, how can banks compete for effectively for deposits? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Nexcess — Marc Womack, who leads the U.S. consumer deposits franchise at TD Bank, discusses his approach to maximizing data, customizing deposit offerings, developing valuable product bundles and using both physical and digital touchpoints to meet consumer needs. "There is a lot of money in movement and people are looking to optimize yield, but they're balancing that with their overall financial goals and are not just making the exclusive decision to go with an institution just because they have the highest yield," Womack says. "That may be the only product or service that they actually offer that customer needs at that particular point in time, and they may have other needs that are broader than that one particular product or service."

As a community bank president and past chair of the Ohio Bankers League, Jenny Saunders has been part of many conversations with top policymakers on bank issues. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Nexcess — Saunders, who recently retired as president of FCBank, discusses how she discussed stablecoin and cryptocurrency issues with members of Congress. "I f there's something that you don't necessarily agree with, then what's the solution?" Saunders encourages bankers to think through how to describe alternatives, as well as unintentional consequences of particular approaches — and to find common ground on issues like fraud where bankers can find common ground across the policy community. Saunders also discusses her experience leading in banks of all sizes, career advice for bankers and what the bank policy landscape looks like from the Buckeye State. This episode is presented by Nexcess .

Over the past two decades, Pennsylvania-based F.N.B. Corporation has grown its assets from roughly $5.4 billion to $50 billion, grown its net operating income by a similar ratio and more than doubled its retail footprint. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Nexcess — Chairman, President and CEO Vincent Delie discusses his approach to growing the franchise and how F.N.B. is investing in its employees' capabilities. Among other topics, Delie discusses: F.N.B.'s balance of organic growth and M&A and the role of culture in this growth. The bank's strategy of hiring data scientists to help the company break down silos and better target customers' needs. F.N.B.'s "e-store" concept and how it supports the bank's "clicks to bricks" retail strategy. The role of AI in recommending tailored products and providing holistic financial wellness advice, as well as strengthening bank credit and anti-fraud functions. This episode is presented by Nexcess :

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — a crossover episode with the ABA Fraudcast — ABA's Rob Nichols and Paul Benda provide several updates on ABA's work to reduce the incidence and cost of fraud for bank customers. Among other topics, they highlight: Their recent participation in the United Nations and Interpol Global Fraud Summit . "O ne of the key messages that I heard loud and clear is the need for there to be a whole ecosystem approach," said Nichols. "It can't just be banks protecting their customers and their clients. . . . We have to get these other industrial sectors to really step up and do their fair share." The growing co-sponsorship of the bipartisan SCAM Act , which targets the source of many scams afflicting Americans. ABA's collaboration with the International Banking Federation to bring the best global anti-fraud practices home to the United States. The growth of state-level legislative activity , and state bankers association leadership, on fraud issues.

Several factors — the growth of the U.S. economy and asset prices, generational transitions and changing values — are reshaping the wealth management and financial advice sectors. More individuals and families are falling into the high-net-worth (investable assets of over $3 million) and ultra-high-net-worth (assets of over $30 million) than ever before. How are banks positioned to capitalize on this evolving marketplace? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, ABA's Mark Benskin — a veteran of the wealth management sector with experience at several banks — discusses: The structural shift in the wealth management business, including the rise of Registered Investment Advisors that serve HNW and UNHW clients. The mix of services — estate planning, tax planning, asset protection and charitable planning — that clients are seeking from their advisors. Evolving revenue models for wealth management and the pursuit of scale. The strategic question for banks of building versus "renting" infrastructure. How banks are positioned to break down institutional silos that hinder full-service client engagement. Learn more about the ABA Wealth and Trust Schools .

In recent years, credit union business lending and the number of credit unions that exceed the statutory cap on member business lending have shot up sharply. What risks do these trends pose to safety and soundness and financial stability? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, ABA's Dan Brown and John Vermillion discuss their recent research on the subject. Not only does outsized credit union commercial activity steers these not-for-profit cooperatives away from their statutory mission, it also increases their exposure to an asset class where they — and their regulator — have traditionally lacked experience and expertise.

Sponsor banking, or banking as a service, is a unique opportunity for banks — but it requires strategy, discipline and a laser focus on risk. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Amanda Swoverland, president of Hatch Bank, discusses her bank's strategy in BaaS. Among other topics, Swoverland talks about: Hatch Bank's evolution as a sponsor bank focused on embedded lending and card issuance. How boards of directors and bank management teams can evaluate strategy for sponsor banking. The importance and scope of due diligence with fintech partners. A recently announced partnership with a fintech firm that provides private student loans focused on upperclassmen and grad students who are approaching completion of their degrees. Her career journey from enterprise risk management in banking through leading compliance for a fintech startup to president of a bank. The experiences she brought from fintech into her newest banking role. Register for ABA's Risk and Compliance Conference .

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Rob Nichols offers his top takeaways from the ABA Washington Summit — including industry unity on stablecoin regulation, credit card policy challenges, federal preemption, and bipartisan legislation on fraud. Nichols also previews his upcoming travel to Vienna for the United Nations' Global Fraud Summit . Catch sessions from the 2026 Summit .

Major tech platforms make billions of dollars from scammers who advertise on their sites, according to reporting from Reuters , and there's not much incentive for them to change their practices — yet. Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) have introduced the SCAM Act , which would take steps to tackle these scams. ABA strongly supports the SCAM Act, and on this crossover episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast and ABA Fraudcast, Paul Benda discusses: How the SCAM Act would introduce new know-your-customer and takedown requirements for tech platforms. Why there aren't sufficient existing incentives for platforms to deal with the deluge of scam ads. Enforcement mechanisms that give teeth to the SCAM Act's requirements. How ABA's advocacy on this issue fits into the association's overall anti-fraud agenda

From one location in Wilmington, North Carolina, Live Oak Bank is the nation's largest Small Business Administration lender and a leading partner in developing technology for community banks. With an uncertain economic and business environment, two top executives from Live Oak Bank joined the ABA Banking Journal Podcast to discuss: How Live Oak delivers personalized banking services to a nationwide footprint. Where small business owners are looking to grow and build in the coming months. The need for liquidity in small business acquisitions and succession planning. The role of technology, including AI, in helping to improve the ability of banks to serve small business clients. How SBA loans fit into the Live Oak business model. Tips for community banks looking to deepen their SBA-guaranteed lending, including outsourcing back-office functions to ensure compliance with guarantee requirements.

If Texas were an independent country, its economy would rank as the world's eighth-largest. "France is the seventh largest economy in the world and I don't think it'll take as much time at all to catch them," laughs Texas Bankers Association Chairman Ron Butler. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Butler — who is also vice chairman and chief administrative officer of $14 billion-asset, Abilene-based First Financial Bank — talks about: What makes the Lone Star State a compelling economic story and an attractive market for investment (and out-of-state bank acquisitions). First Financial's approach to balancing organic growth and M&A. The urgency of accelerating de novo bank activity. How he and Texas bankers are approaching questions of deposit insurance reform. How Texas bankers have been engaging the global economy .