The Beat Goes On in Banking w/ Archie Brown

2025-12-03

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Regional banks don’t often get compared to pop music, but maybe they should.On the show today, First Financial Bank President and CEO Archie Brown explains why great banks survive turbulence by evolving with the times, just like great pop artists. He talks with Al and Steve about what credit risk actually looks like today and how midsize banks can hold their own against the industry’s giants. Plus, they explore the value of only focusing on what you can control. As Archie puts it: “There’s nothing else you can do.”...

Regional banks don’t often get compared to pop music, but maybe they should.

On the show today, First Financial Bank President and CEO Archie Brown explains why great banks survive turbulence by evolving with the times, just like great pop artists. He talks with Al and Steve about what credit risk actually looks like today and how midsize banks can hold their own against the industry’s giants. Plus, they explore the value of only focusing on what you can control. As Archie puts it: “There’s nothing else you can do.”

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Chapters:
[00:00] Intro – Welcoming Archie Brown
[00:54] Optimism, Adversity & “Better Days”
[02:00] Why High-Performing Banks Don’t Get Respect
[04:45] Credit Risk: The Market Gets It Wrong
[08:22] Competing With the Big Banks: Talent & Tech
[11:29] Tech Investment & AI: Moving Faster Than Goliath
[14:06] Knowing When to Double Down vs. Walk Away
[17:17] Pop Music, Banking & Evolving Without Losing Identity
[20:36] Leadership in a Digital-First World
[23:42] Closing Thoughts & What’s Next

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