Embracing 'Change and Curiosity' in Banking

Frank Sorrentino III discusses his nontraditional background, being flexible and ConnectOne's latest deal. Fed Gov. Michelle Bowman talks about regulation.

Happy Tuesday, Bank Slaters!

How is everyone doing as the holidays near?

I just completed what I hope will be my last bit of conference travel for 2024. I’m eager to take some time to begin planning for the new year! I’ll avoid any prognostication tied to last week’s elections, though most bankers I talked to at the Ole Miss Banking & Finance Symposium believe that regulatory pressures might ease a bit over time.

Our first research paper is set for release. We looked at bankers’ budgeting expectations in 2025, evaluating how much spending is expected to rise and where financial institutions are allocating funds. We also share recommendations to help you stay on track with your budgets while remaining nimble as opportunities arise.

Everyone who completed the questionnaire will see the paper in their inboxes in a few days. The report will then be made available to premium subscribers — feel free to click on the link below to set that up.

Let’s talk about ConnectOne.

We recently sat down with Frank Sorrentino III, who founded what was originally known as North Jersey Community Bank in 2005. In conjunction with its 2013 IPO and a push into neighboring New York, the company rebranded at ConnectOne Bancorp. With the pending purchase of First of Long Island Corp., the company is set to leap across the $10 billion-asset threshold that triggers caps on debit card interchange fees and CFPB scrutiny, among other things.

ConnectOne operates under five core values: put people first, act with a sense of urgency, be forward-thinking, look to make an impact, and aim to connect people.