June 20, 2025  |  Marcus Rothaar, Data Analytics Development and Delivery

Raddon Roundtable Recap: Insights, Collaboration, and a Look Ahead

Get a recap of our latest Raddon Roundtable sessions, where FI leaders came together to tackle key challenges - from economic uncertainty to deposit growth, lending, and digital delivery. Read more about the top themes, innovative ideas, and why these Roundtables are unlike any other industry event. 

May 16, 2025  |  Bill Handel, General Manager and Chief Economist

Economic Update with Bill Handel 2025

As we approach the middle of 2025, let’s see how the year started and where we are going economically within the financial services industry. Our general manager and chief economist Bill Handel gives great insights into many of our burning questions about the current economic climate. 

April 4, 2025  |  Marcus Rothaar, Data Analytics Development and Delivery

Remaining Top of Wallet in the Digital Age

As mobile payments become the norm, the battle for top-of-wallet status has never been more critical. With nearly 90% of mobile payment users defaulting to a single card, financial institutions must take proactive steps to ensure theirs is the one consumers choose.

March 6, 2025  |  J. Paul Leavell, Strategic Advisor

Super Service Quality is not That Special

Financial institutions that score high on service-quality metrics cannot rest on their laurels. Recent Raddon research suggests that the vast majority of consumers feel that community institutions are doing well with service quality.

What is your real differentiator if most institutions are perceived as being great at service?

February 6, 2025  |  J. Paul Leavell, Strategic Advisor

Redemption Points Matter

One item overlooked in managing credit-card relationships is points redemption. Understanding this relationship between points redemption and non-credit-card-service usage is strategically valuable, especially if any interchange regulation/legislation comes our way.

December 20, 2024  |  Becky Summers, Thought Leadership and Strategic Guidance

Human Touch, Big Impact: The Potential of Call Centers

Although many consumers utilize online resources to conduct different types of banking transactions or even go into a physical branch, it is important to highlight the importance of a financial institutions call center. 

November 26, 2024  |  J. Paul Leavell, Strategic Advisor

Lending is More Than Rate

Consumer questions abound when the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates. For financial institutions, it’s important to play the role of a trusted advisor when pursuing new loans within this environment. 

August 23, 2024  |  Alexandra Romjue, Data Analyst,Senior

The Power of Collaboration: Essential Lessons From Raddon Roundtables

What are the hot topics among your financial institution peers? When meeting in person we had some very important discussions regarding economic perceptions, marketing and data strategies, and ways to grow as institutions. Working together helps drive a consistent strategy within your institution and also ensures accountholders remain your main priority. 

May 17, 2024  |  Greg Ulankiewicz, Performance Analytics Program Manager

Raddon Roundtable Recap

We learn better together. Read about our recent in-person Roundtables and find more information to join us at one of our upcoming Raddon Roundtables that brings together financial institution leaders and industry experts to discuss the key strategic issues banks and credit unions face in today’s environment. 

March 26, 2024  |  Alexandra Romjue, Data Analyst, Senior

Creating Long Lasting Accountholder Relationships

Consumers are opening deposit accounts today, it is more of a matter with how to retain new and current accountholders. With a focus on saving in today’s economy, it’s time to ask ourselves, what products and services can my institution highlight to help build confidence and create long lasting relationships? 

February 13, 2024  |  Bill Handel, General Manager and Chief Economist

Economic Resilience: Navigating the 2024 Landscape

In 2024, financial institutions find themselves navigating a complex landscape marked by economic headwinds and myriad challenges. As the financial ecosystem undergoes dynamic shifts, institutions must meticulously chart their course to ensure resilience and sustained growth.

December 28, 2023  |  Bill Handel, General Manager and Chief Economist

Economic Perspectives Heading Into 2024

As the US economy reacts to the effects of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, we take a closer look at what we think the economy will look like in 2024. In an excerpt from our recent workshop for participants in Raddon Performance Analytics, Raddon’s chief economist Bill Handel explores the key factors influencing the direction of the economy and how financial institutions might be impacted. Understanding these trends can help you gain insights to strategically position your bank or credit union amidst an ever-evolving economic environment.

November 9, 2023  |  Alexandra Romjue, Data Analyst, Senior

Homeownership … A Not-so-Distant Goal?

While there is no doubt that there are many obstacles that stand in the way of homeownership today, a large percentage of Millennials and Gen Z have not attempted to obtain a mortgage. With homeownership being a goal of many young adults, it is important to understand that this may be more attainable than many think. How can you help your younger consumers achieve their goal of homeownership?

September 14, 2023  |  Greg Ulankiewicz, Performace Analytics Product Manager

Lending in a Brave New World

The economics and consumer behaviors surrounding the pandemic have certainly entailed a roller-coaster ride where the fallout has ushered in a brave new world in lending. Without coming across as too hyperbolic or even macabre, it might be fair to say that lending is at a crossroads where there are only two paths forward for traditional lenders: adapt or die.

July 28, 2023  |  Helen Acke McComiskey, Strategic Advisor

“Please no attendees under the age of 40”!

Why would Financial Institutions not include the largest generational segments in their investment services targeting and marketing? Great question, because it is quite literally money left on the table and missed opportunity to build relationships. Nearly 3/4 of Millennials are willing and ready to consult a fincial advisor. It is time to start including them in the conversation.

June 15, 2023  |   Alexandra Romjue, Senior Data Analyst

Fraud Risk 101: Educating and Protecting Customers from Scams

Fraud risks are higher than ever in the year 2023. Today’s technological and scientific advancements allow us to browse millions of websites on the Internet, FaceTime over thousands of miles, transfer money in minutes over our smart phones, and much more. While these advancements and convenient solutions have made many lives easier, especially in such a fast-paced world, it has also come with many opportunities to be a victim of a scam. 

May, 2023  |   Bill Handel, General Manager and Chief Economist

Economic Update

With economic uncertainty still looming, we have a discussion with Bill Handel, General Manager and Chief Economist for Raddon, regarding his view on the economy. Bill addresses the factors behind the recent economic slowdown, his expectations for the second half of the year, and what it all means for financial institutions.

Thursday, March 30, 2023  |   Helen Acke McComiskey, Strategic Advisor

Gen X: The “Middle Child” Generation! Unhappy, Unprepared and Overlooked?

They were the first generation to grow up with personal computers. They popularized terms like “totally,” “chill pill,” “dude” and “yuppie.” And they are still trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube.

Born between 1965 and 1980, there are roughly 65 million Gen Xers in the U.S.; they are also known to many as the “middle child” generation because they are smaller in numbers compared to baby boomers and millennials. And, like many middle children, they have often felt overlooked by, well, everyone, including the financial services industry.

Thursday, March 2, 2023  |  Alexandra Romjue, Senior Data Analyst

Millennials Are Preparing for Their Financial Future and Need Your Help

Millennials are not teenagers anymore. As often as Millennials and Gen Z get placed together when discussing generational patterns, let us not forget that Millennials alone account for about 72 million of the U.S. population. They also have recently surpassed the baby boomers as the largest generation and will continue to hold that slot for many years to come.

This generation, now in their 30s and 40s, are in desperate need of financial guidance. With many of them preparing for their children’s higher education expenses, purchasing a house while prices are at all-time highs, and thinking about retirement, it is no surprise that they want and need guidance on their financial future. 

5 Key Takeaways – Performance Analytics Workshop

Thursday, December 22, 2022  |  Marcus Rothaar, Data Analytics Development Manager

Raddon recently hosted our final workshop of the year for participants in the Performance Analytics program, to review this quarter’s financial, profitability and growth results. With over 500 financial services executives registered for the event, it was a great opportunity to reflect on the year and look forward to what 2023 has in store. Over the course of two days, we polled those in attendance on a wide variety of topics. The results below offer insights into what is top of mind for financial institutions as the calendar rolls over to 2023. 

Thursday, October 13 , 2022  |  Helen Acke McComiskey, Strategic Advisor

Spilling the Tea on Quiet Quitting

Quiet Quitting, or as it has been recently re-branded “Act your Wage” is a term and a movement that has lots of people talking these days. But what exactly are they talking about?

Despite what some generations might think, quiet quitting is not new, it’s been around for decades but social media has now made it more popular, and it was gone virtual and spread quickly. The notion of quiet quitting is employees, and specifically younger employees have become so disengaged with their job and employer that they are doing the bare minimum or less to fulfill their day-to-day job requirements. This, as we know, causes several problems for employers' quality of work suffering, increased conflicts between co-workers, missed timelines, the list goes on and on. What’s an employer to do?

Thursday, September 15 , 2022  |  Jody De Valk, Strategic Advisor

Lending Decisions: More to The Story

For banks and credit unions, a large chunk of their profits comes from their loan portfolios and the interest income realized from this core activity. Generally, lenders partner with one or all three national credit reporting agencies (CRAs): TransUnion, Experian or Equifax. This data is far less accurate in predicting creditworthiness for minority groups, largely due to limited credit histories. The use of alternative data is becoming more common, particularly when an applicant has little or no credit history. But how and where can lenders access alternative data?

Thursday, August 4, 2022  |  Marcus Rothaar, Data Analytics Development Manager

Key Takeaways from the 2022 Raddon CEO Forum

For our first in-person event in over two years, Raddon recently brought together many of the industry’s top leaders and visionaries for our invitation-only CEO Forum. More than 70 executives collaborated in Laguna Beach, California, for two days of engaging and interactive discussions about the opportunities and challenges facing the financial services industry. As Theo Curey, president of Credit Union Solutions at Fiserv, commented in his opening remarks, it was an impressive group of leaders representing a sizeable portion of the industry. Altogether, Raddon partners with credit unions representing more than 53 million consumers and 43 percent of the industry’s total assets. Join us as we reflect back on some of the key takeaways from the 2022 Raddon CEO Forum.

Thursday, June 30, 2022  |  Caroline Vahrencamp

Deposit Strategies in the Face of Rising Rates

The Federal Open Market Committee has once again increased the federal funds target rate – for the third time this year. The increase was a full 75 basis points, increasing the target rate from 0.125 percent to 1.675 percent in only three months. That is the fastest increase since 1994, signaling the Fed’s determination to manage inflation more aggressively.

While rates have not yet passed the peak of 2018–19, the rapid increase is noteworthy.

Financial institutions with deposits now face intense pressure from accountholders to raise rates, yet the billions of excess liquidity that entered deposits during the pandemic can make institutions question the right approach to deposit rate management. What is a depository institution to do?

Thursday, May 26 , 2022  |  Karen Kislin, Strategic Advisor

The Cure for Workforce Corrosion: Culture Cultivation

Why are so many people quitting their jobs, and what can financial institutions do about it? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more people quit their jobs in 2021 than ever before, and the first quarter of 2022 show no signs of this trend slowing down. Understanding the “Why?” behind the workforce leaving is the first step for organizations in solving how to reengage the workforce. Reducing the degree of attrition and fostering an engaged employee base is achievable when leadership takes action to nurture a culture of trust. 

Thursday, April 28, 2022  |  Helen Acke McComiskey

Financial Wellness: Just Words?

Money, lending money and borrowing money have historically been taboo discussion topics, but that should not be the case when it comes to a consumer’s financial institution.

Consumer financial wellness should be a top priority for financial institutions, but a lot of institutions merely pay lip service to the concept. What exactly does financial wellness mean anyway? Is that short-term financial wellness, long-term or somewhere in between?

Thursday, March 31, 2022  |  Caroline Vahrenkamp

Branch Self-Service Kiosks: Can Consumers Get Behind Them?

Rising personnel costs, the pandemic and the changing transaction environment are pushing financial institutions into considering branch self-service kiosks. Consumers are following suit, though maybe not in the ways you’d expect.

Thursday, February 24, 2022  |  Jody De Valk

Solar Energy as a Loan Product

What do you get when you have raising global awareness of dire environmental issues, a crumbling national power grid predicated on expensive and dwindling fossil fuels, and unpredictable weather patterns that put tremendous pressure on existing systems?

In the financial services space, that adds up to opportunity.

Thursday, February 10, 2022  |  Caroline Vahrenkamp

The Rise and Risks of Buy Now, Pay Later

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) programs have taken the country and world by storm, with balances expected to top $181 billion globally by 2022. The rapid rise represents both a threat and an opportunity for traditional lending institutions such as banks and credit unions, but moving into this space will bring its own unique set of risks, as well.

Thursday, January 27, 2022  | Jenny Armistead

Say Goodbye to Overdraft Fees: How to Plan to Protect Your Earnings

This is the time of year when we reflect on accomplishments, strengths and opportunities for improvement. The same is true for financial institutions. If we look back on the past two years, we see the only constant has been change. Those institutions looking to improve and thrive in this environment will be those that embrace change and can proactively prepare for challenges, with a focus on minimizing risk and leveraging opportunity. One of the biggest changes impacting the financial services industry is the evolving overdraft and nonsufficient funds (OD/NSF) fee landscape.

Thursday, January 13, 2022  | Marcus Rothaar

Emerging Trends in Small Business Banking

Over the past year, small businesses transitioned out of survival mode and into a more optimistic position. In our latest Raddon Research Insights survey, 63 percent of small businesses said they expect sales to increase over the prior year, and nearly half expect the economy to improve.

That’s not to say everything is back to “normal.” Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic persist, with supply chain shortages and hiring difficulties topping a long and varied list of challenges cited by small businesses in our survey.

Thursday, December 16, 2021  | Megan Cummins

The New Value of Checking

Checking accounts are important to financial institutions for many reasons, and those reasons have shifted over time. Typically, financial institutions have valued checking accounts because: