From AI and crypto to complex regulatory challenges and increasingly diverse markets, bank executives face increasingly complex strategic decisions — and so do bank boards as they set and oversee the strategic direction for their banks. And yet, the average age of bank directors is 76, and many do not have expertise in these critical challenges affecting banks.

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast, veteran bank board members and executives Jenn Docherty and Virginia Varela discuss how bank boards can position their banks for success in a challenging environment. They discuss the importance of sourcing diverse expertise and how board members can start and lead difficult conversations about where their banks need to go, creating space for new ideas and giving management more flexibility — and more incentives — to innovate.

Docherty and Varela will discuss these topics and more at the ABA Conference for Community Bankers, Feb. 16-18 in Phoenix.

In this holiday bonus episode — sponsored by TransUnion — host Evan Sparks digs into the Banking Journal archives to learn more about the “Christmas Club” savings vehicle, and what this financial product says about human psychology and behavioral economics.

This episode is presented by TransUnion.

“Well, your money’s in Joe’s house, that’s right next to yours. And in the Kennedy House, and Mrs. Macklin’s house, and, and a hundred others. Why, you’re lending them the money to build, and then, they’re going to pay it back to you as best they can.”

Seventy-eight years ago, George Bailey memorably explained the operation of a mutual savings and loan to a national audience in It’s a Wonderful Life. But while today’s bankers understand mutuality, do today’s potential clients? On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by TransUnion — bank leaders Gregg Tewksbury and Lori Dufficy discuss a new campaign, Mutuals Matter, that aims to educate consumers about mutual bank ownership. Among other things, they talk about:

• Why present, and future, customers need to be educated about the distinctive values of mutuality.
• How the campaign developed messaging that resonates with consumer.
• The role of the campaign in helping mutual bank employees understand their unique value proposition and take pride in their work.

This episode is presented by TransUnion.

• If you can’t see the audio player above, click here to listen to this week’s episode.
• View the campaign at MutualBanksMatter.com.
• Read more in the ABA Banking Journal about public opinion on mutuality.
• Register for the ABA Mutual Community Bank Conference, April 6-7 in Washington, D.C.