A Man For All Seasons

Community banks are at a crossroads: Either take up arms and aggressively compete for profitable customers or seriously consider selling the bank. Savvy boards are evaluating both strategies in terms of the potential long-term risks and rewards for their shareholders.

Private banking has become the competitive weapon of choice for banks of all sizes. Opportunities abound, but the trick is to stay ahead of the curve.

Your best customers want it. Everyone is offering it. Even though the short-term payoff is hard to see, banks that will survive and succeed are implementing an Internet strategy now.

As bankers contemplate life after pooling-of-interests accounting, they might be surprised at how well some purchase deals have worked out.

It`s impossible to extricate technology from the business of banking, and boards must understand how this crucial link affects strategic planning and risk management.