Advertise on podcast: The Community Bank Podcast

In this episode, former U.S. Senator and SouthState Bank board member Ben Sasse joins Caleb Stevens and Chris Kamienski for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of community banking, the loneliness epidemic, and the digital revolution reshaping the economy.    Learn more about SouthState's Correspondent Banking Division at https://southstatecorrespondent.com/ The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC    

Today we speak with Chris Carneal, Founder and CEO of Booster, the largest elementary school fundraising company in the country. He tells us about how he's created a remarkable company through his leadership and a vision. Chris drives his company through virtue, and he shares how community bank leaders can build culture by acting on what your organization believes in. Click Here to Register for the 3rd Annual Elevate Banking Forum!   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we're joined by Bill Moreland, a credit risk expert whose data and analysis we rely on heavily. Bill helps us break down what's really happening beneath the surface of today's credit metrics — from the rise of NDFIs to the surge in loan modifications and what that signals about risk in this cycle. View Agenda & Register for The Elevate Banking Forum View Agenda & Register for The Deposit Conference The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today, Tom Fitzgerald, from our strategy and research group interviews our asset-liability manager, Billy Fielding, from our broker dealer SouthState Securities to discuss the latest trends and asset liability management. Click Here to Subscribe to Tom's Weekly Piece - The Friday Five  The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today Tom Fitzgerald and Joe Keating discuss the current global landscape, including ongoing U.S. politics, developments in the Fed, and the ongoing war with Iran. They tie it all back to how they impact the economy and one's investments. Register for The Elevate Banking Forum: https://southstatecorrespondent.com/the-2026-elevate-banking-forum/ Register for The Deposit Conference: https://southstatecorrespondent.com/the-2026-deposit-conference/   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC   SouthState Wealth is a trade name (doing business as) of SouthState Private Capital Management LLC ("SSPCM"). SouthState Wealth represents the collective wealth management departments and subsidiaries of SouthState Bank, N.A. The following content is for informational purposes only. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank, N.A., its employees, or its affiliates. No portion of this content serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from SouthState Wealth. Securities involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal. Investment products and services are not bank deposits, nor are they insured, and are not backed or guaranteed by SouthState Bank, N.A. or its affiliates.

In this episode, Caleb Stevens sits down with author and speaker Jon Acuff to talk about where procrastination shows up most often in the business world—and why even high-performing leaders struggle with it. Jon shares practical strategies from his latest book, Procrastination Proof, to help you stop putting off important work and start making meaningful progress. If you've ever delayed a tough conversation, a new initiative, or a big decision, this conversation will give you tools to move forward. Click Here to View Agenda and Register for the Elevate Banking Forum  Click Here to View Agenda and Register for the Deposit Conference The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we have the privilege of welcoming back our very first podcast guest, Billy Boughey.  Billy is the founder of Elevate Experiences, a company that creates unforgettable corporate events and experiences. Billy talks about the 3 keys to a remarkable event, casting vision for your company, and the importance of courage and taking ownership. Coach Dabo Swiney Quote that Billy Referenced: "Sight is a function of the eye, but vision is a function of the heart." Learn About Elevate Experiences: https://elevateexperiences.com/  Book Billy to Speak: https://www.billybspeaks.com/ The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we're joined by two of our fellow SouthState team members — Shellee Spagnoletto and Jake Schoolfield.  They talk about the Private Banking line of business we have here at SouthState and some of the keys any community banks can learn as they build their own. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we speak with Karan Bhalla, Founder and CEO of AiVantage. He tells us about how banks can utilize AI to personalize their marketing efforts and, in turn, deepen client relationships.   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we sit down with Ballard Cassady, CEO of the Kentucky Bankers Association. Ballard shares the unique perspective a banking association must keep while navigating the evolving banking landscape. He tells us about his lobbying efforts, his thoughts on AI, how stablecoin will impact the industry, and what community banks do best.   Learn more about The ARC Program here!   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today we sit down with Dan Odom, President and CEO of Western Bank out in Lubbock, Texas. He discusses the history of his family-owned community bank and how he has developed it over the last decade. He tells us about his community profile, his thoughts on talent development, and the challenges and opportunities he faces in west Texas. Learn more about The ARC Program here!   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today on the show Caleb and Chris talk about one of Chris' recent blog articles, What a F1 Pit Crew Can Teach Banking — Performance as a System.  Read the full blog article here: https://southstatecorrespondent.com/banker-to-banker/bank-performance/what-a-f1-pit-crew-can-teach-banking-performance-as-a-system/ The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

In today's show, Caleb and Chris delve into some of the top marketing tactics and frameworks we utilize at SouthState's Correspondent Division. They also explore how community banks can adopt these strategies to effectively capture the attention of their most promising prospects.   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC

Today Chris Nichols sits down with Ryan Zacharia and Adam Aspes, partners at FINTOP. Returning after four years from their last appearance on our show, they discuss tokenization, AI, and the digital transformations banks are undergoing in an era of evolving technology.   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC    

Today Joe Keating joins Tom Fitzgerald to reflect on where we left off in 2025 and discuss the economic outlook for 2026.   The views, information, or opinions expressed during this show are solely those of the participants involved and do not necessarily represent those of SouthState Bank and its employees. SouthState Bank, N.A. - Member FDIC