012: Trust Accounts, AI, and the Hidden Risk in Property Management Banking with George Cheng

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that most people overlook—but absolutely shouldn’t: banking and trust accounting. I’m joined by George Cheng from Column Bank, and we’re breaking down why banking is not just a back-office function… it’s actually a strategic advantage—especially if you’re planning to scale or acquire. We talk about what trust accounts actually are (and why most people don’t fully understand them), how traditional banks can expose property managers to risk, and how new-era banking—combined with AI—is changing what’s possible in this industry. And yes… we also talk about how all of this ties directly into acquisitions, integration, and building a more valuable company. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ What trust accounts actually are—and why they matter in property management✔️ The difference between a true trust account vs. a standard business account✔️ How improper banking setup can expose you to legal and financial risk✔️ Why traditional banks often don’t understand property management needs✔️ How modern banking eliminates fees, speeds up payments, and improves visibility✔️ How AI can automate reconciliation and reduce hours of manual work✔️ What “agentic AI” looks like in property management operations✔️ How better banking infrastructure makes acquisitions easier to integrate✔️ Why technology can increase your EBITDA and overall company valuation✔️ How banking, AI, and operations all connect to future-proof your business More About George George is the Head of Vertical Solutions at Column, where he leads industry-specific banking products and teams, with a focus on property management and other complex, fiduciary funds-flow businesses. Before Column, he was an investor at Summit Partners, a $50B growth equity firm that has backed hundreds of companies globally, including real estate and proptech firms such as Associa, Foxen and Ylopo. Website: https://www.column.com Connect With StaceyWebsite: https://www.staceysalyer.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.stacey.salyer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacey.salyer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-salyer-39254012