Evan Sparks

4 days ago | bankingjournal.aba.com | Evan Sparks

By Evan SparksImagine this scenario: Someone arrives at your branch and begins walking up and down on the sidewalk in front of it. His iPhone is out and he’s video recording every customer and employee who comes in or out — and he stays there for hours. Perhaps one or two of your bankers go out to talk to him — ask some questions and gently try to get the individual to stop recording. He responds with suspicious questions: “So, what kind of vault do you have?

1 month ago | bankingjournal.aba.com | Evan Sparks

As independently owned and operated small businesses, fast-food restaurant franchisees have unique business needs. They have mobile and often part-time workforces, complex inventory management and the constant challenge of managing both a small business and being the face of a major brand. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Bix2x — Wendell Bontrager talks about how Sonata Bank is working with this unique market segment.

1 month ago | bankingjournal.aba.com | Evan Sparks

By Evan SparksA quarter century ago, the sociologist Robert Putnam published Bowling Alone. The unlikely blockbuster explored the falloff in civic engagement and community involvement in the latter half of the 20th century — illustrated through the decline of bowling leagues despite increases in bowling. While Putnam’s book has been much discussed and dissected since it was published, at least one bank leader has been quietly using bowling to build community.

1 month ago | bankingjournal.aba.com | Evan Sparks

ABA’s Washington Summit just wrapped up, and this episode — sponsored by Intrafi’s Banking with Interest — features a main stage conversation with Travis Hill, acting chairman of the FDIC. In this episode, Hill discusses: If you can’t see the audio player above, click here to listen to this week’s episode. This episode is presented by Intrafi’s Banking with Interest. In this episode:Travis HillActing ChairmanFDICRob NicholsABA President and CEO

2 months ago | bankingjournal.aba.com | Evan Sparks

April is Financial Literacy Month, a time when bankers think creatively about how to engage young people on topics of financial wellness. Citi’s Michelle A. Thornhill and Roads to Success’s Bashan Fernandez for a discussion of Citi’s approach to making financial knowledge fun and engaging.