Plugged In - A Cornerstone Advisors Podcast

May 15 2024
Plugged In - A Cornerstone Advisors Podcast artwork

Plugged In brings you raw, honest takes on all things in the banking industry. That means you aren’t going to get some buzzword-filled, cliche podcast – you’re getting an unfiltered look into topics in the financial world no one else is talking about. Your hosts, Al Dominick and Steve Williams, will talk to top players in the industry about what matters now, and what will shape the future.

To groove along with Al and Steve's song references each episode, check out the official Plugged In Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Z7NWPIQuaXQlfHxLWJb3g?si=o552CzjwTr6R4mx13NmOBA

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Ep 29: Are You Ready For Some… Bank CEO Perspective // Mike Daniels

May 15 2024 25 mins  
Mike Daniels, the chairman and CEO of Nicolet Bank and Green Bay Packers’ board member, talks to Al and Steve about what it takes for a community bank to flourish right now and the NFL offseason.They also chat about how to preserve company culture when the business is scaling and offer tips on what not to do in pursuing deposits. Also, Mike provides a peek at what it’s like ban

Ep 28: The Lessons of '24 (So Far): This Is Going To Be Rough!

Apr 24 2024 21 mins  
In this episode, Al and Steve discuss the mounting scrutiny on banking-as-a-service providers, the perplexities tied to a higher interest rate environment and the mounting concerns of succession planning.But it’s not all doom and gloom. Your hosts also chat about when M&A activity will pick up, how to preserve and nurture creativity while also mitigating risk and ways to beco

Ep 27: The bold bankers with Al Dominick and Mary Wisniewski

Mar 29 2024 21 mins  
It’s hard to stand out in banking but not impossible. In this cross-over edition of Plugged In, Al Dominick sits down with Mary Wisniewski to explore talent retention, theatrical innovation acts and the importance of the return on tech. They also get into mistakes banks make (ahem, on their social media video efforts) and introduce Mary's new show, 'Money Isn't Everything,' which

Ep 26: What does it take to be a successful bank? With Tom Michaud

Feb 28 2024 31 mins  
Tom Michaud, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, is back! This time, he joins Steve and Al to answer the question bankers across the country want to know: How to compete with big institutions and non-banks. On the show, they get into common mistakes banks make, takeaways from KBW’s Winter Financial Services conference, and why they think the

Ep 25 - Pizza parties, digital banks, university appeal: April Clobes on growth and leadership

Jan 24 2024 29 mins  
In this episode, Al and Steve sit down with April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, to chat about growth strategies in Michigan, a state that ranks 49th in overall population growth since the 1990s. Spoiler: For the university credit union, it includes more intimate marketing, like sponsoring green-and-white pizzas (the university’s colors) and pizza-making c

Ep 24 - Banking on Resilience: Navigating the Digital Frontier with Kirk Wycoff and Tom Cestare

Jan 03 2024 29 mins  
Join Al Dominick and Steve Williams as they speak with Kirk Wycoff, managing partner, and Tom Cestare, COO, of Patriot Financial Partners to delve into how banks are building resilience through digital innovation. This episode features discussions on the integration of technology in banking operations, the importance of maintaining a robust digital posture, and strategies for effic

Ep. 23 - It’s Not Too Corny to Talk About Love and Banking

Dec 14 2023 29 mins  
In this year’s final episode of Plugged In, Al and Steve reflect on their favorite moments from 2023 – including in banking, books and music. They also explore the top traits that make for smarter banks. Bonus: Hear the backstory of how the GonzoBanker Awards were developed. Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest from industry leaders in Banking, Finance, and Fintech!

Ep. 22 - Scaling the Bank: ‘We’re Not Going to Stand Still’ with Maria Tedesco

Nov 15 2023 28 mins  
Al and Steve sit down with Maria Tedesco, the president of Atlantic Union, the commonwealth of Virginia’s largest independent bank. They explore how to navigate some of the thorniest industry challenges, including: retaining deposits in a rising rate environment, cultivating trust in digital channels and leading efforts to diversify talent, especially in the c-suite. Steve sings

Ep. 21 - Smarter Bank Live! With Al Dominick and Steve Williams

Oct 18 2023 34 mins  
Al and Steve are back! Here is the audio version of their Smarter Bank Live virtual event that you don't want to miss.Join the insightful discussion on how banks can transform into "Smarter Banks" in the current environment. They explore 5 key pillars - being hyper-efficient, differentiated, nimble, data-driven, and opportunistic. Steve and Al share real examples of banks excelling

Ep. 20 - Testing Ideas, Inspiring Talent and Growing Franchise Value with Kevin Blair

Oct 04 2023 32 mins  
Kevin Blair, the CEO of Synovus, shares with Al and Steve his views on hybrid work, sourcing talent from outside of banking, and chasing ideas even when the undercurrents are tough like right now. Among the bank’s recent pursuits? Launching Maast (money-as-a-service) while preparing to become a $100B bank.Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest in Banking and Fintech from Cornerst