February 2026

How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Statistically, somewhere between a third and a half of us have resolved to lose weight in 2026.

Deposit flows aren’t just a reflection of customer preferences; they also drive profitability, financial stability and lending capacity. When deposits move, they can affect balance sheet growth, increase credit availability and reshape the competitive landscape.

Rising competition and consumer expectations mean community financial institutions must operate more efficiently while delivering modern, personalized services.

While generative AI headlines often dominate the conversation, financial institutions are increasingly investing in more practical applications: integrated smart features that support day-to-day operations.

For decades, many community banks have taken a passive approach to investments, primarily using the portfolio as a place to park liquidity and earn spread income, but not always as a tool in dynamic balance sheet management.

Community banks are woven into the fabric of the communities they serve. Their success relies on strong relationships, local decision-making and a deep understanding of customer needs.

Your website should be one of your strongest business tools. It’s often the first impression, the primary source of information and a key driver of leads and conversions.

As the industry continues to evolve, community institutions find themselves at the intersection of innovation, regulation and resilience.

What had long been a controversial footnote in discussions of bank chartering options is now, within just a few months, touching a nerve in the banking industry by providing new material for its own chapter on bank chartering and structuring. Its renaissance comes at a time when DeFi companies and others are looking to enter the regulated banking fold, catalyzing federal and state bank regulators to recalibrate bank structure.

There is no shortage of reasons to feel uneasy right now. Economic signals are mixed. Politics are loud and unresolved.