To put banking in the simplest of forms, it consists of two primary areas: deposits and loans. To operate effectively, you can’t have one without the other. Within these two categories there is a happy ratio mix institutions do their best to follow to remain in good balance.
Back in the good ol’ days, when customers earned nice returns on savings, CDs and MMAs, deposit accounts thrived and held hefty balances for the bank, providing funds to lend out. Deposit accounts and their interest payouts were what brought customers to the bank.
Bring it back to today and deposit accounts are not yielding much above pennies. However, interest rates have been at record lows, producing a great push for the consumer and businessperson alike to borrow funds.
Finding the best rates and best services puts financial institutions into a competitive position to vie for customers’ business. Yet, there is one thing bankers are refusing to repeat: history. Making knowledgeable and well-advised lending choices can prove increasingly difficult for smaller community banks. Typically, at these institutions, people wear multiple hats, sometimes with little experience or understanding of what a low-risk, sound application looks like, thus putting the bank at risk for bad loans.
This is how Country Banker came into existence. It was founded and is currently run by a group with an in-depth background of community banking. These individuals saw from their own experience the need for a proven and repeatable system that allows financial institutions to confidently accept and approve ag, commercial and consumer loan applications. Country Banker knows the value good loans bring to a bank and how the ability to service their customers more accurately, in this department, will yield great dividends and longevity for the institutions.
“When a local bank thrives, a community thrives,” states Sarah Fankhauser President and CEO of DCI as she adds her support of Country Banker and their innovative mindset to fill this gap in the financial industry. “Country Banker’s CEO, Tim Ohlde, has a reputation as an advocate to other bankers and his focus on community growth is what caught our attention. He is not even a current customer of DCI, but anyone who encourages and then develops resources to help other banking institutions is an organization we will openly support. When we were presented the opportunity to partner and promote their loan analysis program, it really was an easy answer of, yes, for us,” explains Fankhauser as to how DCI’s organization plays a role with Country Banker.
“What’s remarkable is that any institution can utilize this software without needing any integration with a core. It’s the perfect addon piece and any bank looking to expand their loan footprint can do so confidently with this program,” Fankhauser details.
DCI has aggressively sought partnerships that propel the community financial sector forward, especially advocates for those organizations that have developed technologically advanced solutions that specifically help other banking institutions.
“When companies come together and help each other, it’s a win for everyone and that’s what DCI is all about,” states Fankhauser.
For more information on Country Banker’s loan analysis software that can help your loan portfolio grow, visit their site at www.countrybanker.com.
About DCI
DCI is the developer of the award-winning iCore360® core banking software, plus iCoreGO® digital banking and fintech processing solutions for community banks nationwide, including those using other core platforms. DCI is privately owned by a group of bank clients, with several serving as board members and user group leaders. DCI also provides private ATM network/card management, FrontLine™ teller software, custom analysis, risk/vendor management, and more. Among other awards, DCI has been named a FinTech Rankings Top 100 technology provider by IDC Financial Insights, a FinTech Forward Top 100 technology provider by American Banker and BAI, a multiple winner of the BankNews Innovative Solutions Award and endorsements from multiple regional banking associations. For more information about DCI, visit www.datacenterinc.com or contact info@datacenterinc.com.