Banking on Growth

Coffee with KlariVis: Turning Bank Data into Actionable Growth

Stop guessing and start leading. Learn how community banks use KlariVis to turn fragmented data into real-time visibility and a 10x return on efficiency. In this episode of Banking on Growth, host Mike Graham sits down with Kim Snyder, CEO and Founder of KlariVis, to explore how community banks and credit unions can unlock the full potential of their data. As a former community bank CFO, Kim shares how her experience led to solving one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: turning overwhelming, fragmented data into clear intelligence. For institutions competing in an increasingly complex financial landscape, the ability to see what’s happening—and act on it immediately—has never been more critical. Together, Mike and Kim discuss how moving beyond traditional reporting empowers leaders to act faster, reduce inefficiencies, and protect net interest margins. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  We explore how shifting from manual spreadsheets to dynamic dashboards can finally give bank leaders the real-time clarity they’ve been looking for. You’ll see how to transform daily loan and deposit trends into a clear strategy, spot where revenue might be leaking to fintech competitors, and even achieve a 10x return on efficiency through simple automation. We also share why you don’t need "perfect" data to start seeing results—it’s all about making progress today to improve your margins tomorrow. This conversation offers a friendly roadmap for turning your data into a genuine competitive advantage. 🔗 Learn More & Connect:  Explore KlariVis: http://www.klarivis.com/ [http://www.klarivis.com/]   Connect with Kim Snyder:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybsnyder/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybsnyder/] Follow us for more financial insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities [https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities] Website: https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999 [http://www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999] ----- Midwestern Securities is a reputable independent broker/dealer and Registered Investment Advisory firm owned and operated by community bankers and financial professionals. With a strong track record of delivering personalized attention and financial advisor coaching that helps community financial institutions take their investment services divisions to the next level, Midwestern Securities has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry. If your bank needs a team that can help, visit https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/]. Member FINRA/SIPC

From Data to Dollars: How AI Is Transforming Organic Growth in Community Banking

What does real growth look like for financial advisors and wealth management teams in today’s competitive financial landscape? With rising client expectations and increasing competition, firms need smarter ways to prioritize prospects, streamline workflows, and grow assets under management without wasting time or budget. In this episode of Banking on Growth by Midwestern Securities, host Mike Graham sits down with Dan Gilmartin, CMO at Catchlight, to explore how AI-powered insights are transforming client acquisition, prospect scoring, and CRM automation. Learn how smarter data — not more data — helps advisors focus on the clients who matter most, personalize outreach, and drive meaningful ROI and long-term growth. Dan explains how Catchlight builds comprehensive client profiles from minimal information, identifies high-propensity prospects, and saves advisors hours each week through automated research and enrichment. Mike highlights how disciplined processes, intentional marketing, and data-driven strategies amplify these insights, turning incremental improvements into sustainable success for community banks, credit unions, and wealth management firms. ✨ In this episode, you’ll discover: • How AI-driven scoring helps advisors focus on high-propensity clients • Ways to personalize outreach using career, life-stage, and interest data • Why banks and advisors are shifting from broad campaigns to targeted, efficient marketing • How CRM integration and automation can save advisors up to 6 hours per week • Real examples of higher conversion rates, stronger LTV-to-CAC ratios, and long-term AUM growth • The role of disciplined processes, ongoing training, and workflow efficiency for consistent wins If you want to see how AI, data-driven insights, and strategic client acquisition can strengthen relationships, boost advisor productivity, and drive profitable growth, this episode is a must-watch for financial advisors, community bankers, and wealth management professionals. 🔗 Guest Links: • Website: https://catchlight.ai/ [https://catchlight.ai/]  • Connect with Catchlight: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catchlight-insights/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/catchlight-insights/] • Connect with Dan Gilmartin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangilmartin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangilmartin/] • Explore the Grow Organically Podcast: https://catchlight.ai/grow-organically-podcast [https://catchlight.ai/grow-organically-podcast] ----- Find our episode on one of these podcast channels: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • Podcast Index • Podcast Addict • Podchaser • Pocket Casts • Deezer • Listen Heart Follow us for more financial insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities [https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities] Website: https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999 [http://www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999] ----- Midwestern Securities is a reputable independent broker/dealer and Registered Investment Advisory firm owned and operated by community bankers and financial professionals. With a strong track record of delivering personalized attention and financial advisor coaching that helps community financial institutions take their investment services divisions to the next level, Midwestern Securities has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry. If your bank needs a team that can help, visit https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/]. Member FINRA/SIPC

Square Is No Longer Just Payments: How Community Banks Can Defend the Full Wallet

Community banks face growing competition from fintech platforms like Square. Merchant services, deposits, and lending are all at risk, and many institutions underestimate how fast the shift is happening. Host Mike Graham, CEO of Midwestern Securities, is joined by Nellie Schlachter, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Evolv, a national provider of merchant services for banks and credit unions. With more than a decade of experience in bank management, Nellie brings a clear, insider perspective on how payment providers are expanding into full-service banking and why many financial institutions underestimate the risk. Together, Mike and Nellie break down how merchant services have become a frontline defense for community banks. They discuss how platforms like Square attract business customers with speed and convenience, how that opens the door to deposits and loans, and how banks can respond with stronger programs, better education, and more intentional outreach. You will also learn what a truly robust merchant services strategy looks like, how to identify customers already working with Square, and how banks can win back wallet share through smarter engagement. Links: * Evolv Website [https://www.poweredbyevolv.com/] * Evolv on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/poweredbyevolv/]  * Nellie Schlachter on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellie-schlachter-8294b31a9/]  If you work with community banks, credit unions, or financial advisors, this conversation offers practical insights on defending relationships, driving non-interest income, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing financial services landscape. Watch the full video podcast Banking on Growth by Midwestern Securities for more conversations on growth, strategy, and the future of community banking. ----- Find our episode on one of these podcast channels: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • Podcast Index • Podcast Addict • Podchaser • Pocket Casts • Deezer • Listen Heart • PlayerFM For more information on strengthening your retail wealth management division, contact us, and let’s start talking! https://midwesternsecurities.com/contact/ Follow us for more financial insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities [https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities] Website: https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999 [http://www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999] ----- Midwestern Securities is a reputable independent broker/dealer and Registered Investment Advisory firm owned and operated by community bankers and financial professionals. With a strong track record of delivering personalized attention and financial advisor coaching that helps community financial institutions take their investment services divisions to the next level, Midwestern Securities has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry. If your bank needs a team that can help, visit https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/]. Member FINRA/SIPC

What Planning Opportunities and Pitfalls Have Been Created by the One Big Beautiful Bill

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) is here, but what does it actually mean for individuals, retirees, and business owners? In this episode of Banking on Growth, host Mike Graham sits down with Jason Beiswenger and Chris Lockhart from Wipfli LLP to unpack the sweeping tax changes that could reshape your 2025 financial strategy. From expanded SALT deductions and new Social Security breaks for seniors to full 100% bonus depreciation for business equipment and extended Qualified Business Income (QBI) deductions, this conversation breaks down where the real opportunities lie. You’ll also learn which provisions sunset early, which are permanent, and where the biggest planning pitfalls might be hiding. Whether you’re a financial advisor, small business owner, or retiree trying to understand how OB3 affects your bottom line, this episode offers practical insight to help you make smarter tax and investment decisions this year. Follow us for more financial insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities [https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities] Website: https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999 [http://www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999] ----- Midwestern Securities is a reputable independent broker/dealer and Registered Investment Advisory firm owned and operated by community bankers and financial professionals. With a strong track record of delivering personalized attention and financial advisor coaching that helps community financial institutions take their investment services divisions to the next level, Midwestern Securities has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry. If your bank needs a team that can help, visit https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/]. Member FINRA/SIPC

Discussing the GENIUS Act and Stablecoin

How will stablecoins and new legislation like the GENIUS Act reshape the future of community banking? 💡 In this episode of Banking on Growth, host Mike Graham sits down with Jim Perry, Senior Strategist at Market Insights, to explore the disruptive potential of stablecoins, blockchain, and the GENIUS Act. Their conversation covers why stablecoins matter beyond crypto speculation, how new regulations could legitimize digital currencies in the U.S., and what these changes might mean for community banks, consumer trust, and the future of financial services. They also discuss the role of major retailers like Walmart and Amazon, the risks of deposit runoff for community banks, and what younger generations’ digital payment habits reveal about the shifting landscape of money movement. If you’re a banker, financial advisor, or simply curious about how the foundations of banking are evolving, this episode provides a clear and timely perspective on one of the most important shifts happening in finance today. 👉 Stay ahead of the curve. Tune in now and join the conversation about trust, disruption, and growth in modern banking. Follow us for more financial insights: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities [https://www.facebook.com/midwesternsecurities] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwesternsecurities] Website: https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999 [http://www.youtube.com/@midwesternsecurities1999] ----- Midwestern Securities is a reputable independent broker/dealer and Registered Investment Advisory firm owned and operated by community bankers and financial professionals. With a strong track record of delivering personalized attention and financial advisor coaching that helps community financial institutions take their investment services divisions to the next level, Midwestern Securities has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry. If your bank needs a team that can help, visit https://midwesternsecurities.com/ [https://midwesternsecurities.com/]. Member FINRA/SIPC