I was recently in Central Florida and visiting with some FNBB customer banks.  One of those was Surety Bank located in Deland, Florida.  Ryan James is the CEO and in addition to leading Surety to great success as a bank, he also produces a podcast that focuses on issues important to the financial services industry.  Ryan was kind enough to ask me to join him for a podcast episode.

Let me first say that the setup that Ryan has for recording his podcast was first rate, professional lighting, professional microphones, branded backdrop, three cameras (one facing straight ahead and two for each podcast participant).  The result is a high quality podcast, professionally edited and produced.  This makes a big difference between recording something on your mobile device versus having a setup like what I experienced at Surety Bank.  I think FIs offering podcasts is a great idea, but if you’re going to do it, do it with the intention of a professional looking and sounding result.

Ryan and I had a free-flowing conversation that lasted about 75 minutes. Ryan is a great host, asking probing questions and jumping in to offer a follow up question or Surety Bank specific insight when warranted.  We covered a wide range of topics that are very important to any community financial institution. Regardless of whether you would agree with Ryan or myself on any particular issue, I believe that listening to this podcast will make you think particularly about what it will mean for your institution to be vibrant and relevant in the coming decades.

To access and listen to the podcast – go here.

Interestingly, one of the subjects we covered on the podcast is what changes banks might consider in transforming their retail banking space. I commented to Ryan that as cool as his podcast setup was, it would be even cooler if it was downstairs in the retail lobby.  Wait, what?  Yeah, the idea being that he could setup a soundproof ten by ten booth in an unused part of his branch lobby, and the equipment would be there for him to record his podcasts but also any Surety customer that wanted to record a podcast could schedule to come and record a podcast there.  Now why would Surety want to do that?  Well, perhaps there are younger Surety customers that would like to make a professional podcast but do not have the resources to get the equipment that Ryan has acquired.  What a great benefit of being a Surety customer!  Perhaps most of those customers using that podcast booth might tell their friends about it and it becomes a draw, a resource that is only available to Surety customers. And not for nothing, it becomes a specific reason for customers to come to the branch where they can be exposed to the banks brand and even learn about other services that may appeal to them.

If after listening to the podcast, you have questions or comments about the content I shared in my conversation with Ryan James or perhaps you just want more information on what is involved in setting up a podcast station, send me an email at dpeterson@bankers-bank.com. I covet your inquiry.

The views expressed in this blog are for informational purposes. All information shared should be independently evaluated as to its applicability or efficacy.  FNBB does not endorse, recommend or promote any specific service or company that may be named or implied in any blog post.