As privately held banks navigate increasing complexity around shareholder management, one platform is helping them modernize without giving up control. John Antolik, CEO of My Private Shares, joins Sam Ishee, CFO of Florida Capital Bank, and Andy Borrmann, CFO of Lincoln Savings Bank, in conversation with Andrew Liesch, Head of Bank Strategy at Travillian.
Together, they explore how My Private Shares is reshaping liquidity and communication for private institutions. The platform gives CFOs, CEOs, and boards a smarter, more secure way to manage ownership, succession, and investor relations. The discussion reveals how digital shareholder management can streamline operations, strengthen transparency, and help banks stay independent.
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0:00 – 0:59 | Introductions and Overview
The episode opens with a look at how privately held banks are rethinking shareholder communication and liquidity. Two areas that have long relied on manual processes and limited transparency.
1:00 – 3:05 | The Origin Story of My Private Shares
The conversation begins with the origins of My Private Shares, created in 2022 to give private institutions a better way to manage shareholder needs. Born from firsthand experience investing in community banks, the idea was to create a secure, company-specific marketplace where shares could be bought and sold without losing control of ownership.
3:06 – 7:00 | How the Platform Works
The platform’s design centers on privacy and access. Each company has its own portal, visible only to invited shareholders. That structure allows banks to maintain control while enabling seamless communication and liquidity. For CFOs like Andy Borrmann, it’s a major improvement over the spreadsheets and side conversations that used to dominate shareholder interactions.
7:01 – 10:00 | Integrating with Transfer Agents
From there, the discussion turns to implementation. My Private Shares integrates directly with a bank’s internal team or transfer agent, automating the exchange of information and tracking transactions in one place. The result is a more efficient, less error-prone process that frees up executives to focus on strategy rather than administration.
10:01 – 12:30 | A Timely Solution for an Aging Shareholder Base
As the industry changes hands from older investors to a new generation of digitally minded stakeholders, the need for modernization is clear. Younger shareholders expect transparency and quick access to liquidity, and the platform helps banks deliver that while staying compliant and private.
12:31 – 15:00 | Real-World Use Case: Florida Capital Bank
At Florida Capital Bank, the results have been tangible. Sam Ishee recalls how his team once spent hours connecting buyers and sellers by phone. Today, a single dashboard tracks all transactions, activity, and shareholder engagement. The system has streamlined communication and given his finance team back valuable time.
15:01 – 17:00 | A Communication and Compliance Hub
Beyond liquidity, the platform has become a home base for shareholder communication. Banks can upload reports, valuations, and tender offers, share legal documents securely, and keep an archived record of every interaction. Automated notifications ensure no shareholder is left out of the loop.
17:01 – 19:30 | Control, Transparency, and Staying Private
This centralized structure gives banks the best of both worlds: transparency without the need for a public listing. Institutions can now manage relationships in-house, avoiding secondary brokers and maintaining direct insight into their shareholder base.
19:31 – 21:30 | Succession Planning and Talent Retention
The conversation broadens to strategy. Liquidity tools like this don’t just serve investors—they also strengthen leadership continuity. By opening a pathway for key executives to buy shares internally, banks can build deeper ownership alignment and use equity as a recruitment and retention tool.
21:31 – 23:30 | Managing Large Transactions and Estates
The platform’s flexibility has also supported major ownership changes, from multi-million-dollar estate settlements to shareholder exits. These transitions now happen within a controlled system that balances compliance, privacy, and efficiency.
23:31 – 26:24 | What’s Next for My Private Shares
Looking ahead, enhancements are underway to improve mobile access, API integrations, and document navigation. The goal remains simplicity, ensuring even long-time shareholders can use the system with ease.
26:25 – 27:10 | Closing Thoughts
The discussion closes with a look at what’s possible when technology meets one of banking’s oldest challenges. My Private Shares is giving privately held banks a modern framework for ownership, communication, and continuity. Helping them stay private but not stuck in the past.
