Your Cost of Funds Is What?!?!

In this episode of This Month in Banking, presented by Wolf & Company, we sit down with Wade Johnson, CEO of Durden Banking Company, to discuss how a community bank has achieved standout performance in two metrics that matter deeply in today's banking environment: efficiency ratio and cost of funds. Wade shares his journey from growing up in rural Georgia to leading the bank as CEO, while providing insight into the leadership philosophy, operational discipline, and relationship-based banking strategies that have helped drive the bank's success. The conversation explores what efficiency truly means in a community banking context, how strong cultures and processes contribute to long-term performance, and why customer relationships remain a competitive advantage. The discussion also takes a deeper dive into deposit pricing, funding strategies, and the practical decisions that have allowed Durden Banking Company to maintain a strong cost of funds despite a challenging rate environment. Along the way, Wade shares lessons learned from his career, perspectives on leadership and talent development, and his outlook for the future of community banking. Listeners will come away with actionable insights on balancing growth, profitability, employee engagement, and customer service while navigating the increasing pressures facing community financial institutions today. 👤 Wolf Hosts Tara Wean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarawean/  Jeff Marsico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmarsico/