Thought Leadership

We’ve all had that moment of “surprise” when a banking executive suddenly announces their resignation. I put “surprise” in quotes because in most cases, it’s easy to see coming: they were nearing retirement age, a recent M&A deal went through, or the company had begun talking more about “strategic changes.” Whatever the circumstances, our industry…

Credit unions are buying banks. Just that one sentence shows how much the script has flipped from a few years ago. Many of our previous assumptions about how the industry works, both here in the Northeast and across the country, are off the table. Whether we’re talking regulatory uncertainty, evolving consumer demands, or digital transformation…

In Q1 2025, the outlook for mergers & acquisitions (M&A) in banking and finance was hopeful. By Q2, it had tempered significantly. Now, as we gear up for Q4, it’s just confusing. The players have shifted, big deals have hit pause or fallen through, and uncertainty around government policies has all caused confidence to drop…

When you think of companies with a strong employer brand, who comes to mind? Maybe Netflix, Airbnb, or Google. But probably not one of the multinational financial firms. Historically, employer branding hasn’t been a top priority in our industry. That’s starting to change. The number of open accounting and finance roles increased 150% from last…

In a climate marked by persistent inflation, interest rate volatility, and shifting workforce expectations, executive compensation strategies in the financial services sector are undergoing accelerated transformation. Regional banks and credit unions face mounting pressure not only to retain top leadership talent but also to structure pay in a way that supports long-term strategic objectives while…

Digital transformation is reshaping the financial services sector, placing member engagement at the forefront of credit unions’ strategies. Traditionally celebrated for their personalized approach and strong community ties, credit unions must now embrace digital innovation to enhance relationships, retain loyalty, and maintain competitiveness. Let’s explore three key areas that have been impacted by digital transformation…

Across industries, the C-suite exodus is creating a leadership continuity crisis in the United States. Gartner reports 56% of executives—excluding CHROs—are likely to quit within two years, largely due to heavily increased workloads and stress. And that doesn’t account for the many retirees who will soon leave the credit union industry for good. To address…

Credit union regulations and laws continue to be in constant flux. In 2025, federal lawmakers introduced a wave of policy rollbacks across the financial sector—all while challenging long-standing protections like tax exemption for CUs. At the regional level, scrutiny has intensified as well, with states like Tennessee even banning credit union acquisitions of banks. Predicting…

In the financial services industry, the pace of change is intensifying the pressure to achieve continuous innovation and operational efficiency. Seeking the power of fiscal strength, geographic reach, and product expansion, credit unions pursued record numbers of bank acquisitions and mergers in 2024—yet this strategy is not a cure-all for the challenges ahead. For credit…

As the regulatory landscape shifts and membership ranks continue to age, credit unions are facing new transformation demands. To achieve sustainable success, these non-for-profit financial institutions need to find new opportunities for growth, innovation, and exceptional service—without losing their deep community focus. Finding the right credit union executives will be critical for pushing strategic initiatives…

The pressure on executives to deliver measurable value is rapidly rising. Across industries, boards and investors are demanding competitive returns even amid sluggish economic growth, swiftly replacing underperforming CEOs. The pattern follows in the financial sector, where market unpredictability is driving an urgent need for agile leadership. Finding the right replacement can be a tricky…

Financial institutions across the country are grappling with growing retention challenges in 2025. With burnout and uncertainty fueling CFO turnover, banks are struggling to maintain strategic continuity and lock in clear CEO successors. It certainly doesn’t help that global CEO resignation rates have reached record levels. Young professionals are leaving traditional finserv organizations is adding…

The banking industry has rapidly shifted toward a stringent regulatory environment in recent years. According to a Forrester, 98% of financial institutions experienced a rise in financial crime compliance costs alone in 2023, driven primarily by skyrocketing labor and technology expenses. Penalties for noncompliance have increased just as fast. However, the pendulum may be swinging…

As banks ramp up their technology spending, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key investment priority. A recent NVIDIA survey found 91% of financial services companies are now using or assessing AI for diverse use cases—from fraud detection and portfolio optimization to operational efficiency and customer support. For bank executives, it is abundantly clear that…

Credit unions are at the epicenter of a seismic shift in the financial sector. The nonprofit cooperatives—once known for their modest expansion—are buying up banks at record rates, with deals proposed in 2024 involving $7.21 billion in assets so far. For community banks interested in selling, these all-cash buyouts have offered welcome relief amidst a…