This Month in Banking

On this episode of This Month in Banking, we welcome Alice Frazier, President & CEO of Potomac Bank and ICBA Chair, for a timely discussion on what the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts could mean for community banks. The conversation moves beyond the traditional cryptocurrency debate and focuses instead on the practical banking implications of stablecoins, digital wallets, payment-focused digital currencies, and the choices community banks may need to make as regulatory clarity develops. The episode frames the central question for community bank leaders: what are the unintended consequences if stablecoins become a mainstream payment and deposit alternative? Alice and the hosts explore whether stablecoins should be viewed as another payment rail, a potential competitor to traditional deposits, a broader challenge to the customer relationship, or an opportunity for innovation in banking. The discussion also asks how community banks can adapt, participate, and potentially build on emerging digital-currency infrastructure rather than treating the shift as something they can simply stop. Listeners will hear a strategic, banker-focused conversation about deposit gathering, liquidity management, funding costs, franchise value, regulatory clarity, reserve verification, customer disintermediation, tokenized deposits, custody and reserve-service opportunities, merchant adoption incentives, and how bank executives and boards should be preparing for a digital-first financial system. 👤 Wolf Hosts Tara Wean | LinkedIn Jeff Marsico | LinkedIn Marissa Scicchitano, CPA | LinkedIn 

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/

In this episode of This Month in Banking, presented by Wolf & Company, we're joined by Tara Brady, Senior Vice President & Chief Experience Officer at Provident Bank, to explore how customer experience is evolving into a core strategic driver of growth and differentiation. Tara shares how her role connects across the organization—from frontline delivery to executive decision‑making—and why customer experience today goes far beyond satisfaction scores. The conversation highlights how banks can take a more intentional, enterprise‑wide approach to experience by aligning people, processes, and technology. We also discuss what's changing in customer and employee expectations, where institutions tend to get stuck when trying to execute on experience initiatives, and what it takes to build a culture rooted in empathy and consistency. The group dives into the challenges of organizational alignment, particularly in periods of change such as mergers and integrations, and how leadership teams can keep the customer at the center during times of transformation. This episode offers practical insight for bank executives, customer experience leaders, and boards looking to better connect strategy with the customer journey—and turn experience into measurable business impact.   👤 Wolf Hosts Tara Wean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarawean/  Jeff Marsico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmarsico/ Ben Crowley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencrowley/ 🎙️ Guest Tara Brady – SVP & Chief Experience Officer, Provident Bank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-a-brady/  

In this episode of This Month in Banking, presented by Wolf & Company, we're joined by Ed Barry, CEO of Capital Bancorp, to explore how one community bank built a distinctive growth model by expanding into specialized, nontraditional lines of business. Since joining in 2012, Ed has led Capital Bank's transformation from a $300 million institution into a $3.5 billion diversified platform spanning commercial lending, mortgage banking, credit cards, and fee‑based service businesses. The conversation highlights how an FDIC‑assisted acquisition unexpectedly led to the creation of a national credit card platform, and how that business—alongside other niche verticals—helped drive strong performance, deposit growth, and diversified revenue streams. Ed also shares insights on identifying acquisitions that add true capabilities, building and scaling new business lines with the right mix of talent and technology, and maintaining alignment between strategy, culture, and risk. The discussion touches on renewable energy lending, SBA servicing, and how community banks can compete effectively by focusing on targeted niches rather than trying to be everything to everyone. For bank executives, board members, and strategy leaders, this episode offers a practical look at how differentiation, discipline, and innovation can drive long‑term growth in an increasingly competitive industry.  Guest Ed Barry CEO, Capital Bancorp / Capital Bank N.A. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-barry-935b7b6/  🔗 https://capitalbankmd.com/  Learn More Discover how Wolf & Company helps financial institutions drive strategy, growth, and innovation: 👉 https://www.wolfandco.com 

In this episode of This Month in Banking, presented by Wolf & Company, we explore how financial institutions are moving beyond AI experimentation and toward practical, enterprise‑ready adoption. Host Tara Ween is joined by John Kowal, Senior Vice President, Managing Director & Chief Technology Officer at Peapack Private Bank & Trust, along with Wolf & Company experts Jeff Marsico and Nelson Obando. Together, they unpack what responsible AI implementation really looks like inside a bank—cutting through the hype to focus on governance, risk awareness, and real‑world value. The conversation examines where most banks stand today with AI, why data and operating foundations matter more than flashy tools, and how institutions can scale AI safely while meeting regulatory expectations. The group also discusses emerging use cases, workflow automation, "digital employees," and how AI can improve productivity while allowing bankers to focus more on clients. This episode offers bank executives, technology leaders, risk professionals, and board members a grounded roadmap for adopting AI thoughtfully, competitively, and responsibly in the year ahead. Discover how Wolf & Company helps financial institutions navigate AI, governance, risk, and technology strategy: https://www.wolfandco.com

In this episode of This Month in Banking, we're joined by Matt Burke, Chairman & CEO of Mutual Bancorp, the mutual holding company for Cape Cod Five, Fidelity Bank, and soon Bluestone Bank. Matt brings a front‑line perspective on how community banks can rethink growth in today's challenging environment—where deposit behavior, technology expectations, and consolidation pressures are reshaping the industry. We dig into how mutual institutions are approaching expansion, why shared‑services holding companies are becoming a strategic alternative to traditional bank mergers, and what really drives successful mutual‑to‑mutual partnerships. Matt also shares the importance of cultural alignment, diversification, and trust when combining institutions without a monetary exchange. Looking ahead, Matt outlines the conversations he believes bank leaders must be having today—around growth strategy, relationship development, efficiency, community presence, and organizational structure—to stay competitive over the next 12–24 months. Whether you're a bank executive, board member, or part of a strategic planning team, this episode offers practical insights into the evolving growth models shaping community banking.

In this episode of This Month in Banking, the team explores what happens when fintech meets community banking. Guest Emmett Shipman, Fintech Strategy & Growth Senior Manager at Wolf & Company, joins the conversation to discuss evolving fintech–bank partnerships, the shift from efficiency to reinvention, and how community banks can strategically position themselves for a digital future. The discussion also dives into stablecoins, digital assets, and what bank leaders should be prioritizing in the year ahead.

TKG Joins The Pack - Wolf x TKG Hosts - Jeff Marsico, Principal, Wolf & Company, P.C.         Scott Baranowski, Principal, Wolf & Company, P.C.

Bank Strategy:  Community vs. National Banks Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Andrew Baker, Chief Strategy Officer, F&M Bank

Bank M&A Today and Outlook for 2026 Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Dave Danielson, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.

Improving Shareholder Liquidity in Community Banks Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Matt Schultheis, Founder of BankVault Research

Scaling a Community Bank: Tech, Team, and Deposits Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Brant Ward, President, Signature Bank of Arkansas

Shareholder Succession Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Richard Trauger, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Pete Scully, President, My Private Shares Andrew Rietz, Managing Director of Financial Institutions, My Private Shares

Banking on Insight: Inflation, Risk & the Road Ahead Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Tommy Esposito, Vice President, Strategic Resource Allocation, Kaufman Hall Dorothy Jaworski, Retired SVP & Treasurer, Penn Community Bank

Bank Stocks & Beyond: Gerard Cassidy's Forecast Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Gerard Cassidy, Managing Director, Co-Head of Global Financials Research and Large Cap Bank Analyst, RBC Capital Markets

Navigating the AI Revolution: A Community Bank Perspective Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Andy Schornack, President, Security Bank & Trust Co.

Bank Transformation Unpacked: The Newtek Story Continues Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Barry Sloane, Chairman & CEO, Newtek Bank

Cannabis Banking in 2025 Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Michael Beird, Author of Cannabis Banking

Crypto, Fintech, and other Non-Interest Income Drivers in 2025 Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Matt West, Chief Executive Officer, Xenios

Big Picture: The Future of Community Financial Institutions Hosts - Tara Wean, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Nathan Stovall, Director of the Financial Institutions Research Team, S&P Global Market Intelligence

Potential Changes in Bank Regulation under the Trump Administration Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Anne Balcer, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)

Stratum, New Technology That Will Revolutionize Banking! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Clay Adams, President and CEO, Mascoma Bank

Use Cases of Generative AI – What are the Risks? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Chris Clements, VP of Solutions Architecture, CISO Global         Tigran Safari, Solutions Architect and Client Experience Manager, CISO Global

Banking for Good - CFG Bank Supports Key Bridge Recovery Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Jack Dwyer, Chairman, CEO and Founder of CFG Bank

Banking on Change – The Leader's Guide to Achieving Exponential Growth in the Age of AI Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - James Robert Lay, Founder and CEO, Digital Growth Institute

Pig Butchering Scams – Help Protect Your Customers! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Erin West, Deputy District Attorney, REACT Task Force, Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, San Jose, CA

Major Issues Impacting Bank Stocks and Valuations Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Gerard S. Cassidy, Managing Director, Equity Research, RBC Capital Markets

Banks Can Thrive or Die, What History Teaches Us Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - John Maxfield, Banking Specialist, Author of the Maxfield on Banks Substack

How Promoting Financial Literacy Can Help Financial Institutions Perform Better Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Arindam Nag, CEO & Co-Founder, Centsai         Christina Sandy, Head of Business Development, Centsai  

Ingredients to a Successful Management Team Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Bartow Morgan Jr., CEO & Director, Georgia Banking Company

Reducing Expenses with Process Automation Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jill Pursell, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Chris Jacobsen, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Rachel G. Bitner, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Ephrata National Bank

Graduating from Data Analytics to Data Utilization Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Steven M. Fusco, EVP & CFO, Spencer Savings Bank

2024 Banking Industry Trends Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Rich Trauger, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Gregg Wagner, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.

Managing Through Change, Getting Stuff Done! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Michael A. Butler, President, CEO & Chairman, Grasshopper Bancorp, Inc.

AI in Community Banking - Are YOU Ready? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Saroop Bharwani, Co-Founder & CEO, Senso.ai

Hot Topics in Accounting – What you need to know! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.            Rich Trauger, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Sydney Garmong, CPA, National Office Partner, Crowe LLP            Rick Childs, CFA, CPA, Partner and National Practice Leader, Crowe LLP's Advisory Services

What is the "Secret Sauce" to Community Bank System, Inc.'s Long Term Success? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Mark E. Tryniski, CEO, President & Director, Community Bank Systems, Inc.

What should be in your deposit strategy? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Neil Stanley, CEO and Founder, The Core Point

What Does Brand Get You? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Ben Crowley, Senior Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Amber Farley, Executive Vice President, Brand Development, FMS (Financial Marketing Solutions)

How to Acquire and Retain Small Business Relationships Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Matt Carcich, President, CEO & Director, Freedom Bancorp, Inc. and Freedom Bank

Why Do Branches Fail at Sales? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Jack Hubbard, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Modern Banker & Chief Experience Officer of Jack Hubbard Consulting

Instant Payments are Here! What Are the Implications for Community Banks? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Rich Trauger, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Nick Denning, SVP of Payments Industry Relations, ICBA Bancard, a subsidiary of the ICBA

Banking Turmoil. What's Next? Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Rich Trauger, Managing Director, The Kafafian Group, Inc.

Turnaround Success – U.S. Century Bank Hosts - Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.          Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Luis F. de la Aguilera, President, CEO & Director of USCB Financial Holdings, Inc. & U.S. Century Bank (UCSB)

How FinTech is Innovating Credit and Products for the Next Generation of Borrowers Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.        Robert Kafafian, Chairman & CEO, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - David Kafafian, Chief Operating Officer, Stride Funding Inc.

What's on Jeff's Mind this Holiday Season?! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.

Strategies to Attract and Retain Top Talent Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guests - Susan Rogers, People Pinnacle         Bethany Denning, People Pinnacle

Navigating the Moat Your Core Processor Has Built Around Your Data Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Aaron Silva, President & CEO of Paladin fs & Golden Contract Coalition

Banks are Responsible for Building Bankers! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Chris Kelley, Executive Director, The Barret School of Banking

Totem, the First Challenger Bank for Native Americans! Hosts - Sharon Lorman, Vice President, The Kafafian Group, Inc.         Jeff Marsico, President, The Kafafian Group, Inc. Guest - Amber Buker, Founder & CEO of Totem Technologies, Inc.