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Governance
07/09/2026

When the Holding Company Isn’t a Source of Strength

Decisions made for the holding company have the potential to imperil its bank subsidiary, which can complicate decision-making for the board.

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About the authors
Written by
Emily McCormick Vice President of Editorial & Research

Emily McCormick is Vice President of Editorial & Research for Bank Director. Emily oversees research projects, from in-depth reports to Bank Director’s annual surveys on M&A, risk, compensation, governance and technology. She also manages content for the Bank Services Program, including Bank Director’s Online Training Series. In addition to speaking and moderating discussions at Bank Director’s in-person and virtual events, Emily writes and edits for Bank Director magazine, BankDirector.com and Bank Director’s weekly newsletter, The Slant. She started her career in the circulation department at the Knoxville News-Sentinel and graduated summa cum laude from The University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Business.

Emily McCormick
Vice President of Editorial & Research
While banks aren’t required to be held by a holding company, many find the structure beneficial as a means to raise capital, which is then funneled down to the bank. Within that structure, the holding company is expected to be a source of strength that supports the safety and soundness of the institution. But conflicts can arise between what is best for the bank and what is best for the holding company, complicating the job of the board. Adrienne Thorson has twice experienced difficult situations with a bank holding company. In 2015, American Bank of St. Paul was sold to…

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WRITTEN BY

Emily McCormick

Vice President of Editorial & Research

Emily McCormick is Vice President of Editorial & Research for Bank Director. Emily oversees research projects, from in-depth reports to Bank Director’s annual surveys on M&A, risk, compensation, governance and technology. She also manages content for the Bank Services Program, including Bank Director’s Online Training Series. In addition to speaking and moderating discussions at Bank Director’s in-person and virtual events, Emily writes and edits for Bank Director magazine, BankDirector.com and Bank Director’s weekly newsletter, The Slant. She started her career in the circulation department at the Knoxville News-Sentinel and graduated summa cum laude from The University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Business.