“Don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows”.
Starting and scaling a bank in today’s world isn’t for the faint of heart, but Chuck Williams has done it with clarity, confidence, and more than four decades of experience guiding his hand.
In this episode of Travillian Next, hosted by Michael Perito, Head of Bank Strategy at Travillian, Chuck shares how Northpointe Bank pulled off the largest bank IPO in nearly eight years, navigated pandemic-era uncertainty, and continues to grow by staying true to client relationships and a tech-forward approach. From balancing risk and reward to building a mortgage and warehouse lending engine, this candid conversation offers lessons for any leader in financial services.
Watch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts or read the summary below.
(00:02) Meet Chuck Williams & Northpointe’s Origin Story
Chuck Williams, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Northpointe Bank, introduces himself and shares the bank’s journey. From launching in 1999 as a residential real estate lender to reinventing itself post-financial crisis. A shift into warehouse lending became a major growth engine, with over $150 billion funded in that space to date.
(04:13) Pandemic Impact & Strategic Advantage
While the pandemic created widespread disruption, Northpointe was uniquely positioned to benefit. With a strong infrastructure already in place, the bank experienced record income in 2020 and 2021. The years following were spent recalibrating to what Chuck calls a “normal” interest rate environment.
(06:33) The IPO Decision Process
Northpointe’s IPO in early 2024 wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, it was years in the making. Chuck explains how the need for growth capital and a way to provide long-term investors with liquidity made it the right move. The IPO wasn’t about timing the market but about readiness and strategic alignment.
(11:20) Northpointe’s Growth Story Post-IPO
Armed with fresh capital, the bank is now free to grow without constraint. Their focus remains on mortgage and warehouse lending, retail expansion, and staying laser-focused on client relationships. Chuck emphasizes a flat organizational structure where everyone, from the CEO on down, is hands-on.
(17:49) Views on the Mortgage Business
As other banks pull back from mortgages, Northpointe is doubling down—carefully. Chuck outlines how tight expense control and a diversified approach across mortgage channels helps them thrive in various rate environments. The key is being operationally efficient, not simply riding revenue waves.
(21:07) Investing in Talent & Tech
With growth in mind, Northpointe is hiring and developing across risk, technology, lending, and business development. Chuck highlights the bank’s ability to move quickly, test ideas, and adjust without delay, viewing agility as a competitive advantage.
(25:11) Tech Stack & Client-Centered Innovation
Northpointe built its own software for warehouse lending, which clients consistently praise. The bank doesn’t chase hype but focuses on practical, impactful innovation. Whether building in-house or outsourcing, the goal is always to improve client service and internal efficiency.
(28:32) Career Lessons & Staying Grounded
Reflecting on four decades in banking, Chuck shares one core philosophy: don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. He encourages leaders to focus less on headlines and more on their teams and customers, because staying steady and present is what drives lasting success.
