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What must an employer do to attract great prospective candidates while simultaneously ensuring current employees are enjoying their work environment? It’s a question that weighs heavily on the minds of employers across all industries. In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, Karen Shannon, vice president with Ollis/Akers/Arney in Springfield, Missouri, joins us to share her insights on how banks can stand out in today’s job market and how to keep current employees motivated and engaged. She also shares how LinkedIn plays a key role in both recruitment and employee engagement. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

As the banking world changes, it brings an array of job opportunities for individuals. For college students, an internship with a bank allows them to explore the career possibilities that banking offers. In this episode, Lindsey Hing with the Mizzou Business Career Services and Cody Miller, internship coordinator for MU’s Trulaske College of Business, join MBA Vice President Rachael Preston to discuss the business school’s internship program, networking with MU students and the benefits that banks and students gain from these experiences. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we explore the partnership between Focus Bank and MBA associate member Haberfeld that has led to a culture of engagement to provide the best and highest level of customer service. Anna Ferrell, marketing director for Focus Bank, and Shawn Wagoner, senior vice president of client services for Haberfeld, share how using programs developed by Haberfeld aided the bank in educating employees about products and services available to customers. These lessons and ongoing engagement have enhanced customer relationships and the “will to win.” Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, we welcome new MBA Chairman J.R. Buckner, president and CEO of First Federal Bank of Kansas City. J.R. shares how education and encouragement from supervisors and managers early in his career led to his involvement with MBA. The encouragement and educational opportunities that J.R. received influenced his career, and he now “pays it forward” to the next generation seeking to make their mark in the banking community. J.R. shares his concerns about issues affecting the industry and why it’s vital for bankers “to be their own advocate.”  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, we explore a new partnership between two St. Louis businesses, Midwest BankCentre and BJC HealthCare. BJC has developed a depository relationship with Midwest BankCentre to address a historic lack of investment in the City of St. Louis and North St. Louis County. The deposits will be used to create loans to invest in these communities, including support for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and for individuals to realize the dream of home ownership. Dr. Jason Purnell, BJC’s vice president of community health improvement, and Midwest BankCentre Chairman/CEO Orv Kimbrough discuss the partnership, its goals and the impact it will have on St. Louis communities.  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, we are excited to have Scott Breckenkamp and Don Thompson, regional presidents for First State Community Bank based in Farmington, join us to share their thoughts on MBA’s Washington Visit. Scott and Don are frequent participants in MBA’s annual D.C. visit — in fact, they bring several colleagues from their banks to meet with policymakers and regulators. In their conversation with MBA Vice President Emily Lewis, Scott and Don share how the personal interactions and relationships with Missouri’s congressional delegation and the regulatory agencies are essential for serving the bank’s customers. They also discuss the advocacy efforts of First State Community Bank and offer advice for bankers new to advocacy about becoming more involved with MBA. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we discuss major federal banking issues on the docket in Washington D.C. with Kirsten Sutton, ABA EVP of Congressional Relations and Legislative Affairs. New to the role, Kirsten offers insightful perspective on CFPB based on her experiences as Chief of Staff to prior CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney. She also discusses the likelihood of SAFE banking passage, credit union field of membership expansion legislation (now through the House Financial Services Committee) and efforts to expand Durbin to credit.  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, John Everett, CEO of Legacy Bank and Trust in Springfield, reflects on this past year of serving as MBA chairman. John shares how his relationship with the Harlin family introduced him to MBA and how it led him to become more involved in the association. He discusses highlights from this past year and working with MBA leadership. John also shares his advice for the next generation of leaders, as well as his views on finding talent for the banking industry and why all bankers must be willing to change and learn.  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents with MBA, MBA’s Government Relations staff joins us to share an overview of the state legislative session that concluded in mid-May. David Kent and Emily Lewis share how the atmosphere in the Missouri General Assembly affected MBA’s legislative priorities and how bankers played a significant role in our advocacy efforts this session. David and Emily also provide an update on the August primaries and what bankers can do in speaking with lawmakers and candidates in their districts. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode of Our Two Cents With MBA, we learn about the work of the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition. The coalition helps individuals with their financial health through education and access to banking services. Its goal is to promote equitable opportunities for financial health to help build wealth and economic prosperity. Coalition board members Lisa Potts and Jeanne Marra discuss the nonprofit’s partnerships with community organizations and financial institutions and how these partnerships build trust among individuals.  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we discuss compliance hot topics in 2022 with MBA's Compliance Department. Senior Vice President Carol Barnett, Vice President Gina Jolly and Vice President Bryan Bradley dive into a wide range of topics, including overdraft protection, the explosion of buy now pay later, Reg E, Fair Lending and HMDA. They also discuss what they're hearing from examiners and recent issues cropping up in bank reviews around the state. For references provided during the podcast, check out the links below.CFPB Prioritizing Resources Against Racial Bias in Home Appraisals | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) Federal Housing Administration “HUD Reinforces Appraisal Fair Housing Compliance and Issues Updated General Appraisal Requirements” SFH_FHA_INFO_21-101.pdf (hud.gov)  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we spoke with staff from the ABA's Office of Innovation - Rob Morgan, SVP Innovation and Strategy, Matthew Daigler, Vice President/Senior Counsel Innovation Policy and Regulation, and Brooke Ybarra, Vice President Innovation Strategy - about the critical work their office is doing to assist banks in the ever-evolving world of digital transformation in financial services. This interviews covers a wide array of topics, including practices for fintech partnerships, the current state of digital assets (including key legislative updates) and upcoming strategic support deliverables the office will be producing. We encourage you to listen closely as you consider your bank's strategy for growth in the new year. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we interview three representatives for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis about fintech in the state and the industry. Fintech partnerships are becoming more and more normalized within the banking industry. From a supervisory standpoint, there are important considerations related to due diligence, vendor management and safety that must be addressed. While the Fed encourages banks to innovate, they hope to partner with banks to ensure these innovations move forward with a "measured risk" mindset in place. We also discuss the current perspective on digital assets and what banks should expect to see as the federal government wrestles with this complex topic. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we speak with Chris Rockers, a Partner at Husch Blackwell, about the upcoming LIBOR transition. New business will have to be written using an alternative reference rate after December 31st, with the leading candidate being SOFR. This issue has remained somewhat under the radar due to COVID and economic recovery efforts, but it represents a major shift for our financial system. Regardless of the size or geographic region of your bank, you must ensure that you are aware of where you have LIBOR exposure and have a plan in place to address it.   Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we speak with Assistant Vice President Bill Emmons and Supervisory Officer Megan Kahlenberg of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis about economic recovery and the future of supervision. They discuss the impact of current economic trends on bank balance sheets, their thoughts on managing risk in the next year and what to expect in terms of onsite and offsite examination teams moving forward.  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we dive deeply into one story that exemplifies partnerships between fintech firms and banks. MANTL, a MBA associate member and fintech firm specializing in account opening software, partnered with Midwest BankCentre to develop an online bank called Rising Bank. Instead of simply creating a new method for customers to create accounts, the two companies focused deeply on creating a compelling, simple and seamless customer experience. The results have been stronger than either predicted.  Lori Bruce, MBA director of communications, interviewed representatives from Midwest BankCentre - Dale Oberkfell, president and CFO, and Erin Erhart, EVP of bank operations - and Nathaniel Harley, CEO of MANTL, to gain insight into this partnership and what it represents for banks considering fintech partnerships across the state. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we discuss the MBA School of Bank Management which will be held June 13-18 in Columbia, MO. The school was one of the last in-person events hosted by MBA prior to the pandemic, and we are excited to bring a new class together for 2021. Mike Wasson and Adam Trower, seasoned bankers and faculty members at the school, join us to discuss the value of in-person schools, how the school is evolving  and why students should be excited about the chance to take part this year. Make sure you join us for the 2021 School of Bank Management! Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, we discuss the SAFE Banking Act which passed the US House of Representatives on April 19. This bill would allow banks to provide financial services to cannabis businesses or cannabis related businesses, something that is currently a point of contention due to conflict between state and federal drug classifications. Interestingly, this bill bypassed the Financial Services Subcommittee and moved straight to the floor of the House where it quickly passed with wide bipartisan support. James Ballentine, EVP of Congressional Relations and Political Affairs for the American Bankers Association, joined us for a discussion focusing on why and how this legislation moved so quickly and what to expect as it begins its journey in the Senate. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, Max Cook, President & CEO of MBA, interviews Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer who represents Missouri's 3rd Congressional District. Congressman Luetkemeyer is the Ranking Member on the House Small Business Committee and the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. Congressman Luetkemeyer shares his priorities serving in both roles as well as his perspective on what to expect in the years ahead for the financial services industry. Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode, KC Mathews, Chief Investment Officer for UMB, follows up on his first interview with Our Two Cents to provide an update on economic conditions in the US. Early in the pandemic, KC provided a projection for economic recovery as we moved through the pandemic. As we enter 2021, he took the time to share with us updated GDP projections, optimizing factors and drags for the economy and key indicators to stay focused on as the year progresses. KC also took a few minutes to discuss recent GameStop-driven excitement in the market and what it means for "investing" vs "trading."  Connect with MBAFacebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram