HabChat

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 and motivating teams, this ongoing training plays an enormous role in driving the overall success...

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; everyone needs to chip in. The doors of communication should be wide open, with leaders ac...

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 is in the position of having to make a big decision, the right data can offer a very clear a...

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 start of the process, which means we must have an onboarding plan! This is precisely why ...

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 what Haberfeld is up to along with the trends we’re seeing in the community banking space. ...

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’re just making it up as you go. Well, you’re not alone! In fact, this is something most fir...

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 partnership with Haberfeld. This is due in no small part to Mid Oregon’s President and CEO, Kevin...

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 lead the institution when you do? Once you’ve identified your institution’s next lea...

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 there’s an account that can offer your customers wonderful value AND increase your institution’s no...

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. And it will work… but only a little, and not in the long-term. The main issue here is that we ...

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), Kristi Thornton of West Gate Bank (NE), and Jenny Wofford of Pinnacle Bank (GA). Listen in as th...

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 former Executive VP for West Gate Bank in Lincoln, NE. His experience, leadership, and humility hel...

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 offer their perspective on the best ways to help your leaders grow. Books Mentioned Servant Leaders...

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 long-term growth.