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Banking on Growth is a podcast for bankers and financial advisors operating in community-based banks and credit unions. Throughout this podcast, we'll chat with financial industry professionals and thought leaders at the forefront of developing creative solutions to assist community banks in delivering financial advisory services to their clients with the goal of helping the institution grow. We'll examine the most recent industry developments, technology, and best practices for providing high-quality financial advice. Join us as we explore the world of investing through the community banking lens. Midwestern Securities is a member of FINRA/SIPC.
34 Episodes
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What does real growth look like for financial advisors and wealth management teams in today’s competitive financial landscape? With rising client expectations and increasing competition, firms need smarter ways to prioritize prospects, streamline workflows, and grow assets under management without wasting time or budget. In this episode of Banking on Growth by Midwestern Securities, host Mike Graham sits down with Dan Gilmartin, CMO at Catchlight, to explore how AI-powered insights are trans...
Community banks face growing competition from fintech platforms like Square. Merchant services, deposits, and lending are all at risk, and many institutions underestimate how fast the shift is happening. Host Mike Graham, CEO of Midwestern Securities, is joined by Nellie Schlachter, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Evolv, a national provider of merchant services for banks and credit unions. With more than a decade of experience in bank management, Nellie brings a clear, insider perspect...
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) is here, but what does it actually mean for individuals, retirees, and business owners? In this episode of Banking on Growth, host Mike Graham sits down with Jason Beiswenger and Chris Lockhart from Wipfli LLP to unpack the sweeping tax changes that could reshape your 2025 financial strategy. From expanded SALT deductions and new Social Security breaks for seniors to full 100% bonus depreciation for business equipment and extended Qualified Business Income...
How will stablecoins and new legislation like the GENIUS Act reshape the future of community banking? 💡 In this episode of Banking on Growth, host Mike Graham sits down with Jim Perry, Senior Strategist at Market Insights, to explore the disruptive potential of stablecoins, blockchain, and the GENIUS Act. Their conversation covers why stablecoins matter beyond crypto speculation, how new regulations could legitimize digital currencies in the U.S., and what these changes might mean for commun...
What does it take to prepare the next generation of financial professionals? In this episode of Banking on Growth, host Mike Graham sits down with Professor Stephen Kerr, Chair of Accounting at Bradley University, and Kennedy DeWitte, a double major in Accounting and Finance and summer intern at Midwestern Securities. Together, they explore how universities and community partners are building career-ready graduates in an evolving financial services industry. From creating a Certified Financi...
How can financial institutions protect seniors from fraud, and what role does compliance really play? In this episode of Banking on Growth, Mike Graham sits down with Jeff Weber to discuss the rising threat of elder financial exploitation and the practical, real-time steps advisors and compliance officers can take to prevent it. From romance scams to crypto cons, Jeff shares true stories from the front lines of financial fraud prevention. Learn how community banks and credit unions can use ...
Welcome to another episode of the Banking on Growth podcast, hosted by Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities. In this in-depth conversation, Mike sits down with Dr. Bill Chittenden, CEO of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU Cox School of Business. Together, they explore how leadership development and strategic education are vital for navigating today’s uncertainty in the banking sector. From fostering talent in community banks to understanding the broader ec...
Welcome to another episode of the Banking on Growth podcast, hosted by Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities. In this enlightening conversation, Mike speaks with Margaret Hartigan, CEO and founder of Marstone, Inc., to explore the evolving digital wealth management industry and how community financial institutions can modernize their offerings through strategic technology adoption. Marstone isn’t your average fintech solution. Built with deep roots in traditional wealth management, ...
Welcome to another insightful episode of the Banking on Growth podcast, hosted by Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities. In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of technology in community banking with our special guest, Sam Biardo, CEO of Technology Advisors. Sam brings a wealth of expertise in consulting and software development, focusing on connecting bank core systems to Creatio—a low-code CRM platform tailored specifically for banks and credit unions. Togethe...
Welcome to Banking on Growth! In this milestone episode, Cassie Tarboletti, Executive Vice President of Midwestern Securities, takes the host seat and flips the script by interviewing Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities. As the firm celebrates 25 years of success as an independent broker-dealer and RIA, Mike reflects on the journey, sharing invaluable insights into how the financial services industry has evolved—and what’s stayed constant. What’s Inside This Episode: The dramatic ...
In today's episode, we have a special guest, Angela Beblo from Jackson Kelly, who brings a wealth of knowledge in banking and finance. Together, we'll discuss why performance metrics are vital for community banks and how understanding these numbers can lead to stronger institutions. Join us as we unpack essential topics such as: • The importance of monitoring key financial metrics • How to leverage technology for better financial insights • Real-world examples of recent bank failures and wh...
Join us for this episode of Banking On Growth, where host Mike Graham welcomes Wes Johnson, CPA from Forvis Mazars. In this insightful discussion, we explore the evolving landscape of community banking, particularly in light of recent political changes and their implications for tax planning. Wes shares his expertise on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, accelerated depreciation strategies, and fintech's growing influence in banking operations. As we navigate through topics such as potential tax le...
Join us for another engaging episode of Banking on Growth with host Mike Graham as he welcomes Eric Cook from WSI. In this insightful discussion, Eric shares his journey from a community banker to a digital marketing expert, focusing on how community banks can leverage technology and data to thrive today. Discover the importance of understanding data, the role of artificial intelligence in marketing, and how to foster a culture that values innovative marketing strategies. Whether in the bank...
Welcome to the Banking on Growth podcast, hosted by Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities. In this episode, we are excited to have Charlie Kelly, a partner at Remedy Consulting, join us for an insightful discussion on the intricacies of technology contracting and negotiation within the banking sector. About Our Guest Charlie brings a wealth of experience from his time at one of the largest core vendors in the industry, where he managed pricing and contracts. With over six years at ...
Join us for this exciting episode of the Banking on Growth podcast, where host Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities, welcomes Jim Perry, Senior Strategist at Market Insights. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of community banking and the importance of adapting to new technologies and consumer needs. In this episode, you'll learn about: The Role of Community Banks: Discover how these institutions can leverage their close relationships with customers to foster gr...
Join us for our latest episode of Banking on Growth with host Mike Graham as he welcomes Eric Cohen from Merchant Advocate. With over 25 years in the credit card processing industry, Eric shares his journey of creating a unique service that helps businesses save on credit card processing fees without switching providers. In this episode, we discuss: The Importance of Transparency: Understanding the complexities of credit card processing and how it affects businesses.Community Banks and...
Welcome to today's episode of Banking on Growth. We are excited to have Chris Furlow, President and CEO of the Texas Bankers Association, joining us. With a long history of leadership in the banking industry, Chris brings a wealth of experience and insight, especially when it comes to advocating for community banks. Chris shares how the TBA navigates the complex regulatory landscape while also creating an environment that fosters business growth. From reducing unnecessary hurdles to proposing...
Discover how to bridge generational gaps and build meaningful customer relationships in the latest episode of "Banking on Growth" with Michael Graham and guest Robert Zondag. Learn the power of social media, the shift from transactions to relationships, and the importance of owning your customer experience. Don’t miss out on these game-changing insights! 👉 Watch now and transform your financial strategies! 📧 Connect with Robert Zondag at robert.zondag@wipfli.com for more info. #Cust...
Join us in this episode of "Banking on Growth" with Mike Graham, President of Midwestern Securities. Today, Mike sits down with Scott Stevens, Chief Information Security Officer at Integrity Technology Solutions, to discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on the financial sector. Scott shares his extensive experience in the IT industry, spanning nearly 40 years, and provides a comprehensive overview of AI, its applications, and its implications for financial institutions. From th...
In this episode of Banking on Growth, Mike Graham, President & CEO of Midwestern Securities, sits down with Nathan White, Director of Retirement Plans & CFO at Midwestern Securities, to discuss how community financial institutions can deepen relationships with commercial customers. Community banks must find innovative ways to differentiate their services and build strong, lasting relationships with their commercial clients. One powerful tool that can help achieve this is the Employer...
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