The Voice of the Banking Community

Strategy, Innovation, Talent and Leadership Perspectives for Today’s Banking Leaders

Bank executives reviewing merger and acquisition strategy amid rising bank M&A activity

3 Takeaways from the Recent Surge in Bank M&A and 1 Forecast (Plus Deal-Related Stock Ideas for 2026!)

Bank M&A Activity Is Increasing as Regulatory and Economic Frictions Ease The bank M&A environment is on fire! In 4Q25 alone, there were 50 bank acquisitions announced,…

Andrew Liesch

Community bank recruiting leaders, Brian Love, Amber Buker, Keith Daly, discussing talent strategy and leadership hiring for 2026

Banking, Leadership, Talent

All I Want for Christmas is a Strategic CFO: Community Bank & Fintech Talent Advice from Travillian

What 2025 Revealed About Community Bank Talent 2025 was anything but predictable for community banks…

Travillian

Wall Street, M&A

The Long Game of Bank M&A: Janney and D.A. Davidson on Diligence, Culture, and What Comes Next

From Deal Volume to Deal Quality: What’s Driving Today’s Bank M&A After years of regulatory…

Travillian

Banking, Risk & Compliance

Democratizing Derivatives: How Exchange-Traded Swap Futures Are Opening Doors for Community Banks

Why Community Banks Have Been Locked Out of Derivatives and Interest Rate Risk Hedging The…

Amber Buker

Tech & Innovation, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Banking

How AI Is Reshaping Financial Product Discovery: A Follow-Up with Fintel Connect

Why AI-Driven Search Behavior Matters for Banks and Marketers Consumers are shifting from traditional search…

Amber Buker

The Latest

Keith Daly hosts a conversation with Chris Tremont of Grasshopper Bank and Nikhil Lakhanpal of Narmi discussing the new AI banking solution for small business.

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Digital Banking, Fintech, Tech & Innovation

Turning AI into Your Small Business CFO: A Conversation with Narmi and Grasshopper Bank

Keith Daly

December 4, 2025

Wall Street, Capital Markets, Investing, M&A

What Generalist Investors Miss: Piper Sandler’s Stephen Scouten on Bank Performance, Credit, and M&A

This episode brings together host Andrew Liesch, Head of Bank Strategy at Travillian, and Stephen Scouten, Managing Director and Senior…

Andrew Liesch

November 20, 2025

Wall Street, Capital Markets, Investing, M&A

What Generalist Investors Miss: Piper Sandler’s Stephen Scouten on Bank Performance, Credit, and M&A

This episode brings together host Andrew Liesch, Head of Bank Strategy at Travillian, and Stephen Scouten, Managing Director and Senior…

Andrew Liesch

November 20, 2025

Banking, Leadership, Strategy, Talent

Building Brotherly Love: Ira Robbins and Brent Beardall on Leadership, Vulnerability, and Fighting for Community Banking

Valley National Bank and WaFd Bank Leadership Ira Robbins and Brent Beardall take their roles representing the banking industry seriously.…

Amber Buker

November 13, 2025

Banking, Leadership, Strategy, Talent

Building Brotherly Love: Ira Robbins and Brent Beardall on Leadership, Vulnerability, and Fighting for Community Banking

Valley National Bank and WaFd Bank Leadership Ira Robbins and Brent Beardall take their roles representing the banking industry seriously.…

Amber Buker

November 13, 2025

Banking, Strategy

A Share Liquidity Tool for Private Banks: Inside the My Private Shares Platform

As privately held banks navigate increasing complexity around shareholder management, one platform is helping them modernize without giving up control.…

Andrew Liesch

November 11, 2025

Banking, Strategy

A Share Liquidity Tool for Private Banks: Inside the My Private Shares Platform

As privately held banks navigate increasing complexity around shareholder management, one platform is helping them modernize without giving up control.…

Andrew Liesch

November 11, 2025

Tech & Innovation, Digital Banking

Trailblazers Ep.5: Why International Payments Matter for Community Banks with Acceleron

This Travillian Next Trailblazers episode dives into the future of international payments for community banks and why getting this right…

Keith Daly

November 5, 2025

Tech & Innovation, Digital Banking

Trailblazers Ep.5: Why International Payments Matter for Community Banks with Acceleron

This Travillian Next Trailblazers episode dives into the future of international payments for community banks and why getting this right…

Keith Daly

November 5, 2025

Tech & Innovation, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Fintech

3 Actionable Takeaways on AI for Community Bank Executives

Keith Daly

November 3, 2025

Deposits, Banking

Inside the Quiet War for Deposits: How Fulton Financial Is Playing the Long Game

In April 2024, Fulton Financial Corporation executed one of the year’s most compelling and forward-thinking bank acquisitions. The Pennsylvania-based lender…

Amber Buker

October 30, 2025

Deposits, Banking

Inside the Quiet War for Deposits: How Fulton Financial Is Playing the Long Game

In April 2024, Fulton Financial Corporation executed one of the year’s most compelling and forward-thinking bank acquisitions. The Pennsylvania-based lender…

Amber Buker

October 30, 2025

Banking

Four Hard Truths About Staying Independent in 2025

When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, community bankers anticipated a swift rollback of regulatory burdens…

Andrew Liesch

October 23, 2025

Banking

Four Hard Truths About Staying Independent in 2025

When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, community bankers anticipated a swift rollback of regulatory burdens…

Andrew Liesch

October 23, 2025

Banking, Talent, Tech & Innovation, Wall Street

The New Banking Playbook: Three Themes from the NEXT Forum

Last week, more than 150 bank executives and investors filled Lincoln Hall on the second floor of the Philadelphia Union…

Travillian

October 16, 2025

Banking, Talent, Tech & Innovation, Wall Street

The New Banking Playbook: Three Themes from the NEXT Forum

Last week, more than 150 bank executives and investors filled Lincoln Hall on the second floor of the Philadelphia Union…

Travillian

October 16, 2025

Banking, Fintech, Tech & Innovation

Affiliate Marketing Strategies for Bank Leaders with Fintel Connect & Live Oak Bank

Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer at Travillian, sits down with Alana Levine, Chief Revenue Officer at Fintel Connect, and Melissa…

Amber Buker

October 2, 2025

Banking, Fintech, Tech & Innovation

Affiliate Marketing Strategies for Bank Leaders with Fintel Connect & Live Oak Bank

Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer at Travillian, sits down with Alana Levine, Chief Revenue Officer at Fintel Connect, and Melissa…

Amber Buker

October 2, 2025

Banking, Fintech, Tech & Innovation

What Banks Can Learn from EVP Rick Geloff and Bank of North Dakota’s Innovation Strategy

Amber Buker

September 25, 2025

Strategy, Banking

Invictus Group & CFG Bank: Turning Stress Tests into Capital Planning

Host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Zach Boyda, Treasurer at CFG Bank, and…

Keith Daly

September 18, 2025

Strategy, Banking

Invictus Group & CFG Bank: Turning Stress Tests into Capital Planning

Host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Zach Boyda, Treasurer at CFG Bank, and…

Keith Daly

September 18, 2025

Banking, M&A, Wall Street

5 Areas of Focus for Bank Stocks in the Coming Months

What a difference a few months can make! In the weeks following April earnings conference calls, the banking industry shifted…

Andrew Liesch

September 3, 2025

Banking, M&A, Wall Street

5 Areas of Focus for Bank Stocks in the Coming Months

What a difference a few months can make! In the weeks following April earnings conference calls, the banking industry shifted…

Andrew Liesch

September 3, 2025

Tech & Innovation, BaaS, Digital Banking, Fintech

Academy Bank on Laying the Foundation for a Fast BaaS Market Entry

Travillian Next host Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer at Travillian, sits down with David Robinson, Director of Fintech and Embedded…

Amber Buker

August 28, 2025

Tech & Innovation, BaaS, Digital Banking, Fintech

Academy Bank on Laying the Foundation for a Fast BaaS Market Entry

Travillian Next host Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer at Travillian, sits down with David Robinson, Director of Fintech and Embedded…

Amber Buker

August 28, 2025

Banking, Leadership, Strategy, Talent

Expanding Beyond Local Banking Limits: Denali State Bank + BancAlliance

Host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Lori Bettinger, President of BancAlliance, and Steve…

Keith Daly

August 21, 2025

Banking, Leadership, Strategy, Talent

Expanding Beyond Local Banking Limits: Denali State Bank + BancAlliance

Host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Lori Bettinger, President of BancAlliance, and Steve…

Keith Daly

August 21, 2025

Banking, Company Culture, Digital Banking, Fintech, Strategy, Talent, Tech & Innovation

From Commodity to Competitive: How Three Banks Build Winning Products

Amber Buker

August 7, 2025

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Banking, Hiring Trends, Leadership, Talent

Solving the Talent Gap at a Fast-Growing Bank

There often comes a moment in the growth trajectory of successful banks where the talent in-house is outpaced by the…

Travillian

July 31, 2025

Banking, Hiring Trends, Leadership, Talent

Solving the Talent Gap at a Fast-Growing Bank

There often comes a moment in the growth trajectory of successful banks where the talent in-house is outpaced by the…

Travillian

July 31, 2025

Fintech, Tech & Innovation

The Bank That Thinks Like a Tech Company: How 50+ Engineers Are Redefining Security

What if your savings account was so secure that even your account number couldn’t be used to steal from you?…

Travillian

July 24, 2025

Fintech, Tech & Innovation

The Bank That Thinks Like a Tech Company: How 50+ Engineers Are Redefining Security

What if your savings account was so secure that even your account number couldn’t be used to steal from you?…

Travillian

July 24, 2025

Wall Street, Capital Markets

The Balance Sheet Moves Piper Sandler’s Scott Hildenbrand Says Banks Should Be Making Now

“All of the banks we talk to, for the most part, live and die by their spread. And I will…

Brian Love

July 17, 2025

Wall Street, Capital Markets

The Balance Sheet Moves Piper Sandler’s Scott Hildenbrand Says Banks Should Be Making Now

“All of the banks we talk to, for the most part, live and die by their spread. And I will…

Brian Love

July 17, 2025

Tech & Innovation, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Fintech

What’s Stopping Banks from Using AI? Featuring Finov8r Founder Allan Rayson

Community banks can’t afford to wait. In this Travillian Next episode, Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian,…

Keith Daly

July 10, 2025

Tech & Innovation, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Fintech

What’s Stopping Banks from Using AI? Featuring Finov8r Founder Allan Rayson

Community banks can’t afford to wait. In this Travillian Next episode, Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian,…

Keith Daly

July 10, 2025

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Wall Street, Capital Markets, M&A

Top Performing Bank Stocks YTD: 3 Names Defying the Sector Slump in 2025

Michael Perito

June 26, 2025

Tech & Innovation, BaaS, Banking, Digital Banking, Fintech, Strategy

Boom to Bust: The Partner Bank Boom Revisited

The Partner Bank Boom Revisited It’s a little untoward in journalism to acknowledge the writer. But to tell this story,…

Amber Buker

June 20, 2025

Tech & Innovation, BaaS, Banking, Digital Banking, Fintech, Strategy

Boom to Bust: The Partner Bank Boom Revisited

The Partner Bank Boom Revisited It’s a little untoward in journalism to acknowledge the writer. But to tell this story,…

Amber Buker

June 20, 2025

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Banking, Talent

Tech-Forward Thinking Meets Talent Strategy: A Q&A With Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer

Travillian is thrilled to welcome Amber Buker to the team as our first-ever Chief Research Officer. With a unique background…

Travillian

June 11, 2025

Banking, Talent

Tech-Forward Thinking Meets Talent Strategy: A Q&A With Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer

Travillian is thrilled to welcome Amber Buker to the team as our first-ever Chief Research Officer. With a unique background…

Travillian

June 11, 2025

Talent, Hiring Trends, Leadership

Banks, Breakfast Club, and Bold Moves: 2025’s Hiring Story So Far

Travillian’s Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech, and Michael Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, reunite in this informative Talent…

Travillian

June 4, 2025

Talent, Hiring Trends, Leadership

Banks, Breakfast Club, and Bold Moves: 2025’s Hiring Story So Far

Travillian’s Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech, and Michael Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, reunite in this informative Talent…

Travillian

June 4, 2025

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Banking, Risk & Compliance, Strategy

Cogent Law Breaks Down Cannabis Banking and Regulation

Curious how banks can navigate the complexities of the cannabis industry? This candid conversation delivers strategy, clarity, and a few…

Travillian

June 4, 2025

Banking, Risk & Compliance, Strategy

Cogent Law Breaks Down Cannabis Banking and Regulation

Curious how banks can navigate the complexities of the cannabis industry? This candid conversation delivers strategy, clarity, and a few…

Travillian

June 4, 2025

Tech & Innovation, BaaS, Digital Assets, Digital Banking, Fintech

All Eyez on [Chi]me (ft. Mike Perito)

Michael Perito

May 30, 2025

Tech & Innovation

Trailblazers Ep. 4: How Kim Snyder Turned Banker Frustration into KlariVis Innovation

In this episode of Travillian Next Trailblazers, host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Kim…

Keith Daly

May 21, 2025

Tech & Innovation

Trailblazers Ep. 4: How Kim Snyder Turned Banker Frustration into KlariVis Innovation

In this episode of Travillian Next Trailblazers, host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Kim…

Keith Daly

May 21, 2025

Investment Bankers Unplugged WEbsite Thumbnail

M&A, Wall Street

Depository Investment Bankers Unplugged: Real Talk on M&A with Piper Sandler & D.A. Davidson

As the dust settled on the late-2024 surge in bank mergers and acquisitions, one question lingered: was it a fleeting anomaly…

Michael Perito

May 15, 2025

M&A, Wall Street

Depository Investment Bankers Unplugged: Real Talk on M&A with Piper Sandler & D.A. Davidson

As the dust settled on the late-2024 surge in bank mergers and acquisitions, one question lingered: was it a fleeting anomaly…

Michael Perito

May 15, 2025

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Banking, Tech & Innovation

The Largest Bank IPO Since 2017: Spotlight on Northpointe Bank

“Don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows”. Starting and scaling a bank in today’s…

Michael Perito

May 8, 2025

Banking, Tech & Innovation

The Largest Bank IPO Since 2017: Spotlight on Northpointe Bank

“Don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows”. Starting and scaling a bank in today’s…

Michael Perito

May 8, 2025

De Novo State of Mind WebsiteThumbnail 6

Banking

De Novo State of Mind: Two CEOs on their Innovative Journeys Growing New Banks

Starting a bank from scratch might sound like a wild idea in today’s world, but for Lori Maley, CEO of…

Brian Love

May 2, 2025

Banking

De Novo State of Mind: Two CEOs on their Innovative Journeys Growing New Banks

Starting a bank from scratch might sound like a wild idea in today’s world, but for Lori Maley, CEO of…

Brian Love

May 2, 2025

Tech & Innovation

Trailblazers Ep. 3: Lee Easton of iDENTIFY Clears the Data Fog for Community Banks

Keith Daly

April 25, 2025

Banking

Q1 Earnings Seems Predictable — So How Can Banks Differentiate Themselves to Investors?

With bank’s “earnings season” for the first quarter of 2025 already underway, it is difficult to get overly excited when…

Michael Perito

April 16, 2025

Banking

Q1 Earnings Seems Predictable — So How Can Banks Differentiate Themselves to Investors?

With bank’s “earnings season” for the first quarter of 2025 already underway, it is difficult to get overly excited when…

Michael Perito

April 16, 2025

Banking, Hiring Trends, Succession Planning, Talent

Brian Loves Banks: Current Musings About Talent in the Banking Industry

A few musings about the banking industry—some funny, some informational, some sarcastic—but all based on themes I hear in my…

Brian Love

April 11, 2025

Banking, Hiring Trends, Succession Planning, Talent

Brian Loves Banks: Current Musings About Talent in the Banking Industry

A few musings about the banking industry—some funny, some informational, some sarcastic—but all based on themes I hear in my…

Brian Love

April 11, 2025

Banking

Proven Marketing Strategies to Help Community Banks Win Against Larger Competitors: A Conversation with Caleb Stevens, VP of Marketing at SouthState Bank

In the latest episode of Travillian Next, Keith Daly, Principal of Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with…

Keith Daly

April 3, 2025

Banking

Proven Marketing Strategies to Help Community Banks Win Against Larger Competitors: A Conversation with Caleb Stevens, VP of Marketing at SouthState Bank

In the latest episode of Travillian Next, Keith Daly, Principal of Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with…

Keith Daly

April 3, 2025

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Banking, Cryptocurrency, Digital Assets, Tech & Innovation

Part 2: Silvergate Bank’s Rise and Fall—Ben Reynolds on Banking, Stablecoins & Tokenized Deposits

In Part 2 of this Travillian Next conversation, we build on the lessons learned from Silvergate Bank’s rise and fall…

Michael Perito

March 27, 2025

Banking, Cryptocurrency, Digital Assets, Tech & Innovation

Part 2: Silvergate Bank’s Rise and Fall—Ben Reynolds on Banking, Stablecoins & Tokenized Deposits

In Part 2 of this Travillian Next conversation, we build on the lessons learned from Silvergate Bank’s rise and fall…

Michael Perito

March 27, 2025

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