Travillian Next Travillian Next

In this Travillian Next episode, Indra Elangovan, Head of Strategic Advisory at Travillian, and James Stevens, Partner and Co-lead of Financial Institutions Group at Troutman Pepper, discuss effective board governance and board evolution in the banking industry. They highlight the key functions of a board, such as establishing purpose and strategy, selecting and evaluating management, determining risk appetite, ensuring compliance, and serving as ambassadors for the bank.

With the evolving landscape, the demands on board oversight have increased significantly, making board engagement in risk management and compliance crucial, especially in today's regulatory environment. They highlight how boards can be strategic assets for banks, offering valuable insights into enhancing board governance and dynamics in this Bank Board Insights series.

In this episode of Travillian Next, Zane Smith, Chief Banking Officer at American Bank, discusses the Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) industry and stresses banks' need for in-house expertise. He advocates for a shift towards banks assuming responsibility for risk and compliance, rather than relying on middleware providers. Smith also addresses talent needs in the BaaS space, emphasizing strategic planning for growth. He highlights the importance of banks innovating within safety and soundness frameworks, urging a return to basics.



Travillian Host: Keith Daly, Head of Tech & Innovation



Key Takeaways


Banks need to shift their thinking and take responsibility for risk and compliance in the banking as a service (BaaS) industry.
In-house expertise is crucial for banks in the BaaS space, from the board level to the analyst level.
Banks should focus on strategy and planning, considering the impact on their balance sheet, capital, and infrastructure.
It is important for banks to get back to basics and innovate within the framework of safety and soundness.

Attorney Michael Bell and Past Chairman of the Independent Bankers of America, Brad Bolton, have separately disagreed in the press about their views on credit union purchasing community banks. Bell has been a CU legal advisor on almost every deal announced since 2008. Bolton has been very critical of these transactions as the ICBA believes they have unfair advantages, namely around their tax exemption. In their very first appearance together, Brad and Mike engage in a congenial debate – which uncovered more agreements than disagreements.

We cover hot topics related to these unique mergers, including:


A deeper dive into the tax exemption “advantage”
How states are taking their own stances
CRA requirements
Cybersecurity risks
Publicizing deal costs

Keith Daly, Head of Tech and Innovation at Travillian, sits down with Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American FinTech Council (AFC), to delve into the challenges and opportunities within the banking & fintech industries. Phil has been in the top seat at AFC for a little over a year now and has traveled countless miles to many state houses to advocate for his members and their customers. Phil’s passion for the job is visible and he loves the mission of the AFC.

Topics Discussed
- Regulation
- Innovation and Financial Future
- Compliance
- Collaboration Between Fintechs and Community Banks

Join us for the latest episode of Travillian Next, where Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech at Travillian, dives into the hot topic of credit unions acquiring community banks.

In this discussion, Brian sits down with Jeffrey Cardone, Partner and Attorney at Luse Gorman, PC, and Michael Bell, Partner at Honigman LLP, to explore the dynamics of these acquisitions. They shed light on the roles played by all parties involved and the hurdles they encounter along the way.

But that’s not all – they also zoom out to examine the broader landscape of mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector. From succession planning to regulatory challenges, they unpack the complexities driving M&A activity.

Don’t miss out on this deep dive into the future of banking mergers!

Join Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors, and Brian Love, Head of Banking and Fintech at Travillian, as they navigate the critical challenge of talent acquisition in the banking industry.

Highlighting the demand for fresh skills, especially in technology and innovation, amidst industry evolution, Ron underscores the vital role of strategic alignment and innovation in fostering growth. He also explores the intriguing possibility of Chief Information or Chief Innovation Officers ascending to CEO roles, offering a glimpse into the future of banking leadership.