Private Structural Notes for Community Bank CEOs

 

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The Right Room

 

One of the more important decisions during the sale of a community bank isn't the first offer.

It isn't the valuation.

It isn't even choosing a potential buyer.

 

It is deciding who belongs in the conversation—and when.

 

That became much clearer to me after living through the process.

The...

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Before You Need Them

 

Some of the most important relationships a community bank CEO will ever have are formed long before they become necessary.

That wasn't obvious to me early on.

 

Like many CEOs, I assumed the important conversations would begin when the need appeared.

Looking back, they had already begun years...

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Community Bank CEOs: The 3-Step Plan That Keeps Customers Calm During Mergers

 

Your customers heard the announcement.

Now they're confused.

 

"When does this happen?"

"What changes for me?"

"Do I need to do anything?"

 

Without a clear roadmap, anxiety fills the gap.

Customers start shopping for new banks.

Employees can't answer questions confidently.

Chaos builds...

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Community Bank CEOs: How to Announce Your Bank Sale Without Losing Control

 

Your board just said yes.

The buyer's board is about to do the same.

 

You've kept this secret for months.

Now you're about to tell everyone.

 

This is announcement day.

And it's going to be intense.

 

The Perfect Plan vs. Reality

Here's what should happen:

You and the buyer spend a mo...

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The Right Focus for Bank Exit Success: A Community Bank CEO's Roadmap

Every bank sale is unique, just like the bank itself and the leaders who built it.

But I've found that successful bank sales follow a pattern.

 

This pattern matches what author Bo Burlingham describes in his book "Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top."

 

Burlingham f...

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Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: A CEO's Guide to Bank Sale Preparation

 

Let me share something I've learned from decades in banking: Most CEOs start thinking about selling their bank when they're forced to.

 

And that's exactly when you don't want to start.

 

And just because you’re prepared to sell, it doesn’t mean you need to sell.

Being prepared to sell, with...

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