c. myers live

Liquidity management is more crucial than ever for financial institutions navigating today’s complex environment.  In this episode of c. myers live, we explore key strategies for understanding your liquidity position, stress testing assumptions, and pivoting when things don’t go as planned.  Additionally, we emphasize prioritizing your available levers and ensuring alternative liquidity sources are in place.

Many leaders in financial institutions are discovering gaps in their team's thinking and decision-making processes when it comes to ALM, especially those who don't come from a financial background.  In this episode of c. myers live, we highlight the importance of intentional ALM education and building a solid financial foundation within leadership teams.  Listen to learn how leadership can bridge these knowledge gaps and enhance their team's effectiveness in managing financial assets and liabilities.  This podcast references different interactive tools and resources that can be used in training for enhancing ALM understanding.  Click here to use these free tools on our website.

Every day we see, hear, and read about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the impact it is making on not only the financial services industry, but the world. One common question we hear in our conversations with clients is, “How do I even get started?” We answer this question with a quote from our founder, Cliff Myers, “The best way to get something done is to begin.” In this episode of c. myers live, we give you things to consider on the topic of AI in your institution, as you begin, or continue having these important conversations.

Regardless of the asset size of your institution, we encourage you to consider how the message in the Feds new analysis can help your organization plan for the future.  On February 15, 2024, The Federal Reserve released the Exploratory Analysis of Risk to the Banking System.  This iteration of analysis goes beyond typical Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test scenarios, and focuses more on the economic stresses which have been recently experienced in terms of higher interest rates and inflationary pressure.  In this episode of c. myers live, we dive into the 4 elements of the exploratory analysis, and continue the conversation of scenario analysis and testing potential impacts to help financial institutions make more informed decisions.  Click here to view the document and follow along with us: https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/exploratory-analysis-of-risks-to-the-banking-system-20240215.pdf

As leaders, we understand the value of time, and we recognize the significance of meaningful conversations.  It can be difficult to find balance between the two, but implementing critical thinking into everyday conversations is an action you can take immediately.  In this episode of c. myers live, we discuss different ways to have efficiency in conversations, while blending critical thinking and communication.

Every day we talk with CEOs about leadership priorities for themselves and their teams. In this episode of c. myers live, we discuss the priorities that should be top-of-mind as we enter the new year. Our discussion encompasses the vital aspects of building capacity within the leadership team, prioritizing strategic initiatives, and the relentless pursuit of desired outcomes. Tune in for actionable leadership insights that will elevate your development as a CEO and drive organizational success.

Every day we have timely conversations with leaders on topics such as Interest Rate Risk, Liquidity, and ALM. Although these are financial topics, the discussions are not limited to the finance team. Involving decision-makers across the organization will help you better approach opportunities and solve problems. In this c. myers live, we talk about the importance of blending mindset concepts into your conversations to help ask the right questions and achieve alignment in reaching KPIs.

Business efficiency and consumer expectations are topics we are always discussing with decision-makers. Making Process Improvement a core competency of your institution will create a competitive advantage. In this c. myers live, we dive into skills and structures that drive a culture of continuous Process Improvement. Beyond reading our Thought Leadership on this topic, many have found value in attending our Process Improvement Education. Our Experience Improvement methodology was created for and proven in the real world of financial institutions. For more information about our upcoming May course, click here: https://www.cmyers.com/event/process-improvement-education-may-2024/

In the age of rapidly evolving technology, it seems the conversation around Artificial Intelligence grows by the day. Financial Institutions have found themselves at the threshold of opportunity, but sometimes the pace of evolution can be overwhelming. In this episode of c. myers live, we delve into strategic questions about AI that every leader should be asking to understand how this can impact their business model now, and into the future. We will explore how AI is not only a technology topic, but a business topic.

The spotlight on liquidity seems to be growing as the environment shifts before our eyes. While it may be tempting to immediately dive into solutions mode, taking a step back to view the bigger picture can be more beneficial for you and your institution in the long run. In this c. myers live, we will remind you of ways to look at current liquidity issues through a strategic lens, while taking talent, deposit acquisition and retention, and data optimization opportunities into account.

The financial services industry is changing day by day, and the impact of net worth on organizational performance and growth is relevant and top-of-mind for many institutions. In this c. myers live, we explore the importance of strategic net worth considerations. We also provide insights on how organizations can maintain optimal net worth levels through strategic planning and decision-making, while aggregating risks and always considering different opportunities. For access to the interactive tools Rob and Charlene discussed in the podcast, please click here: https://www.cmyers.com/education-tools-events/interactive-tools/ These tools are designed to help organize thoughts in order to have productive conversations around strategic net worth and other important topics.

As the financial industry is discussing the ramifications of the recent closings of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, many are asking themselves, “Where do we go from here?” This is an opportunity to take a step back and evaluate your institution's next steps in this rapidly changing environment. In this c. myers live, we address your questions and concerns about short-term and long-term liquidity management and analysis, the value of understanding the impact of your uninsured deposits, and the importance of maintaining trust and communication with your customers throughout this wild ride.

With the financial services industry changing faster than ever, it is essential for teams to practice critical thinking to accelerate their depth of thinking and execution of the things that really matter. In this c. myers live, we will reflect on some takeaways from our Critical Thinking Workshop that participants found valuable for implementation within their own organization.

In this episode of c. myers live, we discuss critical ALM modeling issues that impact decision-making, in this challenging environment. We recently wrote a blog about a specific ALM modeling issue, with respect to decay rates. This podcast builds on this critical conversation and works to simplify a complex set of financial concepts through discussion. Show notes for this podcast can be found on our website: https://www.cmyers.com/thought-leadership/c-myers-live-pricing-and-withdrawals-critical-alm-issues/

As many institutions are having an increasing amount of discussion about liquidity, it is important to ask 3 questions: Do we have a solvency or survival issue? Is the liquidity pressure you’re facing because of major loan demand? Are our KPIs unintentionally causing liquidity pressures? In this c. myers live we dig deeper into the importance of these questions, and the effect that the answers may have on your institution.

One of the most talked about topics in the financial industry is talent.  In this c. myers live, we take the talent conversation to the strategic level and give you ways to use it as a competitive advantage.  This is crucial for any business model and can make a huge impact on your institution and the talent you attract and retain.

It is no secret that the world of crypto is constantly changing and challenging decision-makers to think outside the box. Amongst this new terrain, there is a multitude of learning opportunities to better understand this complicated market and its impact on financial institutions. Joining us to share her expertise is special guest, Patti Wubbels, from SRM (Strategic Resource Management). Patti is the SVP of SRM and a member of the Digital Assets (Crypto) Advisory Services Team at SRM. For over 30 years, SRM has helped 1,000+ financial institutions add more than $5 billion of value to areas such as payments, digital transformation, digital assets, core processing, and digital information. Their Digital Assets Advisory Services educate financial institutions on digital assets and assist with strategic advice on vendor selection and compliance considerations.

Things are changing quickly since we last had conversations about liquidity. Savings rates are dropping off, inflation is getting higher, and rates are rising. With the environment on the move, it is a great time to think about what might happen with liquidity over the next 12-18 months and how it could impact your pricing strategies and profit potential. In this c. myers live, we have a candid conversation about liquidity and the opportunities it can present based on your financial institution’s situation or current KPI’s.

Our world is moving fast, and it is more important than ever for organizations to be critical with their approach to people planning.  In this c. myers live, we discuss how to become more strategic with your approach to your team and give leaders the right questions to ask.

Top of mind for many decision-makers is the topic of inflation.  While there is a lot of uncertainty around the topic, the key is in the discussion. In this c. myers live, we dive into discussions your team can be having around inflation and its impact on the financial industry, and why it is important to plan for a range of outcomes.

Decision-makers in the financial industry have been battling this question: "How can we effectively use scale and automation to control our expenses and grow revenue?" In this c. myers live, we will discuss the importance and benefits of scale and automation in this ever-challenging environment.

With the growing complexity of the financial industry and the world around it, CEOs are looking for more time in their day to think strategically. In this c. myers live, we will discuss 3 ways CEOs can create more time to think and make decisions.

With budgeting season coming to an end, 2022 financial trends and opportunities have been a big discussion. In this c. myers live, we discuss how to navigate these opportunities in light of your financial structure.

Scenario planning has always been a key tool for institutions to use as they prepare for the future.  In this c. myers live, we discuss ways scenario planning can help institutions think critically about potential outcomes and gain clarity on actions they may take in the future.

This c. myers live was first published in August of 2020.  Although the premiums are lower than when this was originally recorded, the questions discussed are always relevant - the pandemic just raised them in a more urgent fashion.  Given recent conversations with our clients, we thought it would be beneficial to repost this podcast. This is one of the top 3 ALM questions we get asked daily.  As we help decision-makers answer this question, we emphasize that doing the math and ALM modeling is the easier part. In this c. myers live, we will talk through some things that you should consider when making this decision, and how it can impact your overall business strategy.

Many CEOs are saying there is a need and growing opportunity to cultivate more critical thinkers in their organization in order to move their business forward. In this c. myers live, we discuss five characteristics of critical thinkers, and give examples of how those characteristics support critical thinking.

We’re hearing from many CEOs about how the outside world is changing much faster than their team is able to change themselves. In this c. myers live, we discuss ways to move into action to build or cultivate a strong leadership team, and why it is perhaps the most important initiative for organizations to take on

Talent is currently top of mind for many organizations. In this c. myers live, we focus on things to consider when discussing the topic of talent, and the importance of acquiring, appropriately developing, and retaining the right type of talent.

As leadership teams continue their strategic discussions, and move into their formal strategic planning process, it’s important that teams don’t lose sight of their top line. In this c. myers live, we focus on revenue, and things to consider when discussing generating revenue, diversity of revenue, and potential threats.

As we’re helping clients navigate changes in the environment and impacts to the industry, we’ve been having invaluable, strategic conversations on a wide range of topics. In this c. myers live, we have a free-flowing discussion on some of these latest trends and topics, and why they are so important.

In this bonus clip from "Considering Derivatives for Smoothing Earnings and Managing Interest Rate Risk", Rob and Ben expand their conversation and talk about how others are using derivatives in their strategy.

Decision-makers are consistently searching for opportunities for more earnings in this low-rate environment. In this c. myers live, we discuss considerations for adding derivatives to your strategy. Joining us to share his expertise is special guest, Ben Lewis, from Chatham Financial. Founded in 1991, Chatham Financial partners with over 200 financial institutions, helping to launch and grow borrower-facing swap programs, and providing support for hedge accounting and regulatory obligations. They execute over $750 billion in transaction volume annually and help clients across industries maximize their value in the capital markets. C. myers helps financial institution decision-makers uncover opportunities and continuously optimize their business models. Our depth and range of experience in linking strategy, talent, desired financial performance, and successful execution enables us to work with our clients as strategic collaborators. We have the experience of working with over 600 financial institutions, including 200+ of those over $1 billion in assets. Please note, c. myers engages Chatham for valuations of our clients' derivatives for financial modeling. However, c. myers remains independent and does not benefit financially should our clients retain Chatham's services. Chatham is also independent and does not benefit financially. Learn more about Derivatives: https://www.chathamfinancial.com/insights/ncua-finalizes-more-flexible-derivatives-rules https://www.chathamfinancial.com/insights/credit-unions-extending-asset-duration-and-managing-rate-risk

Liquidity is currently a focus for many financial institution leadership teams. In particular, teams are strategizing on what to do with all the excess liquidity coming from deposit growth and stimulus money. In this c. myers live, we discuss liquidity, but not in the way you might think. We consider the potential liquidity risk out there, how might you approach evaluating it, and strategic considerations for this liquidity risk exposure. To read the blog referenced in the podcast, please visit: https://www.cmyers.com/thought-leadership/use-the-business-intelligence-at-your-fingertips-to-have-a-strategic-discussion-about-liquidity/

Many institutions we work with are continuously focused on how they can improve their strategic implementation. In this c. myers live, we discuss a few approaches and considerations for institutions looking to build their competency for executing strategic initiatives.

The world of payments is changing rapidly – it’s becoming more complex, and consumers have numerous options to choose from. In this c. myers live, we discuss things to consider when determining your strategic positioning with respect to payments.

One thing we have noticed in this fast changing world is how the need to make quick, good decisions is speeding up. In this c. myers live, we provide napkin math examples to help you practice quickly estimating the impact of potential decisions and help move conversations to considering various actions. Ready to check your answers? Visit our website: https://www.cmyers.com/thought-leadership/c-myers-live-practice-quick-thinking-with-napkin-math/

While working with institutions during their budgeting process, we noticed that many were planning on loan volume decreasing. While that might happen, it doesn’t mean you can’t put up a fight to increase it. In this c. myers live, we discuss some tips on how to analyze your loan production and processes in effort to optimize your loan volume.

Strategic planning is sometimes the easy part. Strategic implementation – getting the right things done – is often a challenge. In this c. myers live, we discuss some of the actions leaders are taking to elevate implementation to the strategic level.

Even in light of everything going on, budgets and forecasts still need to be developed. This year, relieve yourself of the pressure of getting it right – because you won’t. Rather, use the process to heighten awareness of financial pain points that can deter your high-impact strategies. Then, rally the leadership to create solutions and identify the top priorities for investing time, energy, and money. In this c. myers live, we talk about how effective this mindset shift has been for many leadership teams.

This is one of the top 3 ALM questions we get asked daily. As we help decision-makers answer this question, we emphasize that doing the math and ALM modeling is the easier part. In this c. myers live, we will talk through some things that you should consider when making this decision, and how it can impact your overall business strategy.

In our many conversations with CEOs and CFOs, they are emphasizing that they believe they will be operating in the current environment for an extended period. In this c. myers live, we discuss their different mindsets, the resulting behaviors, and approaches to navigating this environment.

We surveyed employees of credit unions across the nation in an effort to gain some insight into what their mindsets and behaviors might be 12 months from now compared to pre-COVID-19. Using this insight can help leaders think through the economic, strategic, and financial impacts they may face in the next year. In this c. myers live, we will focus on the workforce’s desire to work remotely, and discuss some areas for leaders to think through the implications and opportunities.

A recent area of opportunity and focus has been around how to handle credit risk and deferrals. In this c. myers live, we talk about how business intelligence can assist with identifying member behaviors which can be a helpful indicator when considering your level of concern for reserves.

In light of current rates hitting historic lows and economic pressures, there has been a need to discuss the implications of negative rates and things to consider. In this c. myers live, we will talk about some things to think about if we were to experience rates going negative in the US.

In this c. myers live, we discuss questions and topics that leaders are facing when deciding how to prioritize the types of data needed to connect current mobile and digital engagement to their desired strategy, as well as understanding the “why” behind the data they uncover, and using it to make advancements in the member experience.

CEOs and senior teams realize that strategic planning is more important than ever. In this c. myers live, we talk about two key areas of focus we are hearing from credit union teams during sprint strategic planning sessions. This podcast gives food for thought on just a couple of questions decision-makers are grappling with. Will our positioning on a remote workforce be a strategic way of life designed specifically to enhance engagement and experience for members and employees, or will it be about business continuity? How can we use our lending business intelligence to begin scaling opportunities in a digital world?

In this c. myers live, we share with you some results of the survey questions from a recent webinar we participated in, and talk through some learnings we have experienced over the last week or so.

Your preparedness and the industry’s preparedness affect your ability to address a liquidity crunch. This episode focuses on key considerations that credit union leaders should take into account during a liquidity crunch.

There is an unlimited number of paths that the future may hold. To aid communication, the scenarios in this episode represent economic paths of varying magnitude. Think through these COVID-19 economic health plan scenarios with your institution to prepare.

There is power in understanding potential financial impacts of living in a 0% rate environment. Remain calm. The industry net worth ratio is about the same today as it was entering the last economic crisis. This episode discusses just a few What-Ifs to consider. Run your what-ifs individually to isolate the impact of each. Then run a combination to see ahead-of-time the possible financial outcomes of multiple events.