Ahead of the Curve: A Banker's Podcast

Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires financial institutions to collect and report data on small business lending to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The details of the CFPB 1071 rule are laid out in an extensive 888-page document, so it's no surprise that many financial institutions aren’t sure where to start when it comes to preparing for compliance.In this episode, Abrigo Senior Consultant Paula King offers a comprehensive exploration of the rule’s main elements, some first steps for compliance, and a brief overview of how it has been received, including the legal controversies following the rule. As financial institutions wait for finality on this regulatory shift, it’s important for banks and credit unions of all sizes to understand the nuances of Section 1071. Listen in for insights into the future of small business lending.  Helpful links:Webinar: Understanding the impact of CFPB 1071 on small business lendingBlog: The CFPB section 1071 effective dateChecklist: CFPB 1071 Rule: Checklist for compliance successCheck out the series!Ahead of the curve: A banker's podcastLooking for ideas, tips, and best practices to take your financial institution to the next level? Look no further than this podcast featuring insights from banking leaders and advisors across the industry. We’ll tackle a range of topics — technology implementation, loan grading, banking cannabis, and more to ensure you stay ahead of the curve in this fast-changing environment.You can find all episodes of the podcast on abrigo.com or on your favorite podcast app or platform. We can help you navigate 1071 deadlines and compliance. In addition to our 1071 resource page for lenders, which has updated information to help prepare for the new requirements, Abrigo’s Loan Origination Software will have all required data fields in a borrower-facing collection form, access to pre-built reports, and the ability to export for CFPB reporting. Your financial institution can comply with 1071 while streamlining the origination process and ongoing customer management while working with a trusted partner of 2,400 institutions. Talk to a specialist to learn more.

The OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve Board have released the hypothetical scenarios for their annual Dodd-Frank stress tests, which help ensure that large banks can lend to households and businesses even in a severe recession. How do the scenarios impact community financial institutions, and how can you use stress testing to your institution's benefit?Join Zach Englert and Jacob Lowe as they discuss what the scenarios look like this year and how community banks and credit unions can leverage them to assess their internal risk management practices, inform capital planning and strategic decision-making, and communicate with regulators and investors.Helpful links: Blog: Capital stress testing: The Fed's scenarios can help smaller institutionsWebinar: Gauge your institution's risk from inflation: Planning ahead with stress testingPodcast: Stressed out: How to sleep easier at night about your capital and risk levels 

Human trafficking – a form of modern slavery – is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in the world, exploiting over 45 million people and generating an estimated $150 billion in profits each year. While global in reach, human trafficking also affects individuals, communities, and economies across the United States.Join Brad Jeffery, founder of MADE FREE, and Heather Bellino, CEO of Texas Advocacy Project, as we discuss human trafficking’s consequences and what financial institutions can do to help identify and prevent it.About Texas Advocacy Project: Texas Advocacy Project’s mission is to end dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Texas. TAP empowers survivors through free legal and social services and access to the justice system and advances prevention through public outreach and education. Our vision is that all Texans live free from abuse. In 2022, TAP provided legal services in 4,765 cases, serving 10,502 Texans. If you or someone you know needs help, call 800-374-HOPE or visit TexasAdvocacyProject.org. About MADE FREE: MADE FREE was designed to provide social reform, addressing the root cause of human trafficking and the need for sustainable, ethical jobs. To win the war on poverty, those who make fashion goods must make a livable wage. The MADE FREE model takes a holistic approach to sustainability, integrating ecological, social, and economic factors. Workers at MADE FREE create handcrafted pieces in a clean, team-based environment with a focus on quality over quality, giving consumers a chance to support sustainable change with their dollars.Helpful links:Blog: The Super Bowl and human trafficking: How financial institutions can helpWebinar: Human trafficking awareness: Detecting, reporting, and partneringWhitepaper: Human trafficking red flags

The marijuana-related banking industry took major steps forward on September 27, 2023, when the Senate Committee passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act after weeks of negotiations and revisions to reach a bipartisan agreement. The bill would secure access for marijuana-related businesses (MRBs) to financial institutions. Terri Luttrell and Michael O’Neill, aka “The Cannabis Banker,” join the podcast to discuss the future of the SAFER Banking Act and what it means for financial institutions. They’ll give predictions for marijuana’s de-scheduling, what to expect from regulators, and what banks can do to work safely with MRBs in the meantime.  Helpful links: Blog: SAFER Banking Act passes Senate Banking Committee  Webinar: Banking marijuana-related businesses  Podcast: Ahead of the curve: A banker's podcast episode 3 - Cannabis lending - Abrigo 

The OCC issued it's Bank Supervision Operation Plan for 2024 and we take a look on at it on the latest episode of Ahead of the Curve. This plan outlines the OCC's priorities and objectives for the coming year and provides great insights on where to focus your financial institution's time. In this episode,  Abrigo Advisor Zach Englert discusses his big takeaways specifically around liquidity risk, credit risk, and change management. News Release - OCC Releases Bank Supervision Operating Plan for Fiscal Year 2024Abrigo Advisory Services

Financial institutions all have one thing in common right now: an unprecedented rising rate environment that isn't going away anytime soon. Some have action plans in place to ensure capital and margin objectives are still achieved, but for many, this coming period represents a complete unknown, so they are not as prepared. Whether deposits are an issue or not right now, it is prudent to make sure you have the monitoring and strategies in place to react appropriately as things change.  In this episode, Abrigo Senior Advisor Darryl Mataya discusses three steps your financial institution should take to prepare for the coming funding challenges ahead. In this podcast, we discuss: What makes this environment an "unprecedented rate scenario" Common mistakes financial institutions are making in their reactions Key moves to ensure you are prepared for additional rate uncertainty 

Ag lenders have faced a whirlwind of events over the past few years. From government stimulus programs to sky-rocketing land values to record inflation, many financial institutions are struggling to get a handle on it all. However, with an eye on credit risk and an increase in loan demand expected on the horizon, profitability and growth are possible for institutions.In this episode, Rob Newberry, former dairy farmer and Senior Advisor at Abrigo breaks down the overall agricultural lending landscape and provides practical advice on what ag-focused institutions should be doing to navigate rising rates, inflation, and more. In this podcast, we discuss: The state of the agricultural lending landscapeHow the 1980s ag crisis compares to today and what lenders should being keeping an eye onStrategies to mitigate credit risk and how to identify problem loans earlyOpportunities ag-focused banks can use to stand out from the competition

For financial institutions across the country, commercial real estate (CRE) remains an area of high emphasis within the loan portfolio as they pursue growth. However,  with rising interest rates and inflation as well as the underlying impacts of the pandemic on office space, it’s important to keep an eye on the market and the inherent risks this type of lending presents.In this episode, Matt Anderson from Trepp and Rob Newberry from Abrigo join to discuss how CRE is being impacted by the current economic conditions and to give some tips on what to keep in mind when lending in this space.In this podcast, we discuss:The state of the CRE lending landscapeBest practices related to management reporting and stress testingCurrent regulatory expectations, including climate and environmental

Financial institutions continue to face a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and volatile economic environment. These top-of-mind concerns underscore the need for banks and credit unions to ensure they have enough capital to withstand a wide range of shocks. How can institutions make sure they have a comprehensive view of their risk? How do they plan for managing those risks should they emerge?In this podcast we discuss:How to identify key vulnerabilities to market forces through stress testingHow stress testing results can influence strategic and capital planningKey takeaways from regulatory guidance and recent stress testing scenarios

Learn about Abrigo's upcoming ThinkBIG Conference in this special bonus episode. With specific learning tracks for lending and credit risk, portfolio risk, and FinCrime, there is something for everyone.The in-person conference happening in San Antonio, Texas, from May 23-26 will be full of opportunities to earn CPE credit, network with peers, and learn best practices! Register now at https://www.abrigo.com/thinkbig/ and use the promo code POD50 for a discount on your ticket. Registration closes on May 1st, so don't wait!

Lending to and banking cannabis-related businesses is currently a hot topic among banking circles. With laws varying by state and the inherent risks associated with providing these services, many banks and credit unions are weighing whether to participate themselves. Ultimately, each institution will vary in its approach. However, there is no denying that this is a 'budding' industry that deserves serious consideration as a viable way to reach revenue goals.  In this podcast, we discuss:The definitions of common terms and the specific laws that go along with themDirect vs. indirect cannabis lending and the associated risksHow this type of lending can be a crucial revenue source for your FI

With rampant inflation and expected rate hikes for banks and credit unions, not to mention lingering economic and health effects from the pandemic, financial institutions face real profitability challenges in 2022. Now more than ever, it’s critical to focus on effective loan pricing. The alternatives? Risk losing customers to competition or falling victim to further margin compression. In this podcast, we discuss: The current economic environment and expectations of rising ratesPotential challenges that rising rates present to FIsStrategies for increasing and maintaining profitability

Digitalization sits atop most financial institutions’ strategic plans this year as a result of remote work and ever-changing customer expectations. New software and other technology is often vital to that effort. Whether you’re implementing and rolling out loan origination software (LOS) as discussed in this podcast or another solution, a key consideration is the choice between software customization vs. configuration. In this episode, David O’Connell from Aite-Novarica’s Commercial Banking team and Andy Snow from Abrigo join to discuss why this decision matters, along with best practices they have learned working with hundreds of financial institutions across the country.In this podcast, we will discuss:How LOS customization vs. configuration can affect project deadlines, budgets, and scopeThe total cost of ownership and other long-term effects of software customization vs. configurationManaging the “people side” of implementation/user adoption with customized vs. configured software