ABA Banking Journal Podcast

Agriculture has never been for the faint of heart — but in an environment where global trade policy is changing rapidly, how can ag bankers help position their producers to weather the changes? The latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Agri-Access — features features Nate Franzén, head of ag banking for First Dakota National Bank and the 2026 winner of ABA's Bruning Award. On the podcast, Franzén discusses how ag bankers can support farmers and ranchers during turbulent times. He also how the bank is helping family farms stay viable. Its Keep Farmers Farming initiative combines ag lending with estate planning and advice to facilitate effective transitions, and its program for emerging farmers helps new producers position themselves to succeed. Franzén also discusses his role in advocating on the Clarity Act and supporting a level regulatory playing field for digital assets that preserves community banks' role in lending to their communities.

The latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Agri-Access — features historian Andrew David Edwards, author of Money and the Making of the American Revolution. Edwards discusses: How the American colonies developed monetary systems based on temporary "bills of credit" in the absence of hard-money currency. Why British leaders rejected this form of money and attempted to bring the colonies into their global imperial financial order. The role of monetary pressures in driving dissatisfaction with British rule and uniting the colonies. The challenges the Continental Congress faced in financing the American Revolution, and how the establishment of America's first bank helped turn the tide of the war.

First Horizon Bank is a growing regional bank that spans the nation's fastest-growing population centers, from Texas to Tennessee to Florida. How does that expanding retail franchise meet consumers' digital needs? On this episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by Agri-Access — First Horizon's head of consumer and small business banking Shaun McDougall discusses: How consumer expectations have changed — where they expect seamless digital experiences and where they still value human interaction and guidance. How AI tools are empowering bankers at First Horizon to engage customers with the right resources at the right time. The role of the physical bank branch in First Horizon's footprint. What consumer banking operations can learn from small business banking, and vice versa.

John Maxfield has spent 16 studying banking leadership and performance, first at The Motley Fool, then at Bank Director magazine and more recently on his own, creating videos and visuals to tell the story of community banks in new and creative ways (including with drones). On this episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Maxfield discusses: His own family origins in agriculture and banking What he's learned from interviewing and shadowing community bank leaders and investors across the country What it takes to be a discipline to be a CEO in a business with little margin for error, especially when short-term incentives run the other way.

"Leadership is a skill you have to develop and maintain over time," says Velera Wilson. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, leadership keynote speaker Wilson discusses key practices of leadership development for both current and future bank leaders. Among other topics, she covers: How emerging leaders can help themselves succeed in the transition from high-performing individual contributors to high-performing leaders. The delicate balance between coaching and hands-on management. Why poor-performing leaders can spread weak leadership throughout organizations. Tips for identifying and managing the pipeline of leadership. Wilson will keynote the Emerging Leaders Program at ABA's Annual Convention, Oct. 25-27 in Salt Lake city.