Blake Absher Discusses Community Bank Challenges

Blake Absher, our Executive Vice President & Austin Market President, participated in a recent roundtable discussion hosted by the Austin Business Journal. The conversation revolved around the state of community banks in Austin and the challenges and opportunities they face in the current economic climate.

With a potential recession on the horizon, it's crucial to have a firm grasp on both business and personal finances. Blake shared valuable insights on the challenges community banks are experiencing, including the impact of the Federal Reserve's actions and the strain it has placed on clients' borrowing costs. He emphasized the importance of building close relationships with clients during these uncertain times.

Blake also addressed the challenges of staffing and talent acquisition in a city with low unemployment rates. He discussed the need to increase the pipeline of qualified bankers and highlighted initiatives to partner with universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), offering scholarships and paid internships to students interested in banking and commercial real estate.

Blake states, “One of our primary goals is to bring modern banking, locally sourced, and personally delivering it. During these times, community banks can really step up, be creative and be more nimble with lending solutions, and that is a competitive advantage.”

Read the full article here: https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2023/06/09/keep-austin-banks-local.html