'Bigger Isn't Better. Better is Better.'

MidWestOne CEO Chip Reeves discusses efforts to right-size and grow the Iowa bank, including the sale of its Florida branches and a pending acquisition in Denver.

Hello, Bank Slaters!

I think it safe to say that summer is (un)officially underway! I hope each of you has something special planned over the coming months.

I recently recorded a podcast with Jason Henrichs from Alloy Labs, talking about what banks and boards should be thinking in terms of developing an innovation culture and working with fintechs. It was a great conversation — will share a link when the podcast goes live.

I’m traveling tomorrow to the Q2 Connect conference in Austin, Texas, for some great networking and informative sessions on emerging trends in fintech. If you’re headed there, let me know so we can connect!

The following week I will co-lead a workshop with Babette Reynolds from Bank of America at the Fintech | Insurtech Generations conference in Charlotte, N.C., that will focus on navigating third-party partnerships. It should be a great exercise for bankers and fintech leaders!

You can still take advantage of a 20% discount to attend the FIG conference by clicking here and using the promo code TBSFIG24. Looking forward to seeing many of you at this event!

Let’s talk about MidWestOne Financial Group in Iowa City.

I recently recorded a podcast with Chip Reeves, who was recruited to lead the $6.7 billion-asset company in November 2022. A former Chicago market president at Fifth Third, he later was involved in turnaround stories as CEO of Beach Bancorp in Florida, which sold to The First Bancshares in Mississippi, and Cascade Bancorp in Oregon, which was bought by First Interstate BancSystem.