Let’s be honest—“digital transformation” sounds like one of those trendy buzzwords consultants love to throw around. It brings to mind images of expensive software, endless training sessions, and an IT team speaking in code.

But in reality, digital transformation is just a fancy way of saying, “Let’s use technology to make things easier.” For community banks and credit unions, that means simple, cost-effective changes that improve efficiency, enhance customer service, and help staff work smarter—not harder.

Digital transformation isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, nor does it require a massive budget. By taking incremental steps, leveraging existing resources, and focusing on high-impact changes, community banks and credit unions can modernize operations, enhance customer experience, and remain competitive—all while maintaining their core values of personal service and community focus.  

As a nationwide check vendor serving thousands of community banks and credit unions, Main Street understands how tricky digital transformation can be. But institutions that embrace these changes are more likely to stay competitive. Ready to engage your community through print and digital channels? Contact Main Street today.

Not by a long shot! Since the beginning of the 20th century, women have been at the forefront of savings and loans. In fact, Maggie Lena Walker became the first woman (and woman of color) to become bank president when she opened the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903.

With an achievement like Maggie’s, you could be forgiven for thinking that women have enjoyed a consistent presence at banks and credit unions. But her rise to prominence came over a hundred years after the founding of Alexander Hamilton’s First Bank in 1791. In other words, a full century passed between the first bank and the first female bank president.

The industry has taken great strides toward gender parity, but leadership opportunities and positions of influence still trend toward men. In honor of International Women’s Day, Main Street offers these excellent resources to support women as they rise through the ranks.

If you’ve visited a bank or credit union lately, odds are you’ve seen plenty of female employees. Roughly 50% of bank employees are women. That number jumps to 70% for credit unions. So, what’s the problem? With representation like this, who could complain?

Naturally, there’s a big difference between working for an institution and running that institution or sitting on its board. In the C-suite, a starker gender contrast takes shape.

At the institutional level, community banks and credit unions can foster advancement through strategic partnerships, education, and philanthropy. The American College of Financial Services counts State Farm, Penn Mutual, and Nationwide among their industry partners.

As both a center of learning and an advocacy group, the Center for Women in Financial Services offers workbooks, research, and networking opportunities. Download helpful resources and shape your institution’s game plan for promoting gender parity.

The American Bankers Association has led the way for 150 years. This year, they’re hosting their Women Lead Symposium – a half-day, virtual conference covering vital topics such as strategic outlooks, networking skills, and pathways to success for women in banking.

This year, the conference is on July 17, starting at 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT. Learn more and register yourself or your team to gain important insights on the industry at large and the role of women within it.

The American Bankers Association has led the way for 150 years. This year, they’re hosting their Women Lead Symposium – a half-day, virtual conference covering vital topics such as strategic outlooks, networking skills, and pathways to success for women in banking.

This year, the conference is on July 17, starting at 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT. Learn more and register yourself or your team to gain important insights on the industry at large and the role of women within it.

Since 2017, Natalie Bartholomew has been The Girl Banker – a podcaster, guest speaker, and blogger. Beyond her platform, Natalie serves as the Community president of First Community Bank in Northwest Arkansas, a position that grants her amazing insight into the industry.

Across hundreds of hours of podcasts, Natalie speaks to social media influencers, authors, and other industry professionals about the skills they’ve honed to succeed and the issues that need addressing. Check out The Girl Banker podcast for your daily dose of motivation and education.

Research and partnerships are important, but sometimes, it’s enough to congratulate others while meeting other professionals like you. The Illinois Bankers Association offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate women and make connections at this year’s Women in Banking Conference.

Taking place in Springfield, IL, the Women in Banking Conference will award working professionals in three categories: Woman of the Year, Woman on the Rise, and Women of Impact. The itinerary is packed with networking and educational opportunities, too, ensuring that your trip to Springfield is an inspirational one.

Sometimes, all we need is a model of excellence – a target to hit or a trail to follow. When it comes to inspiration, learning from and about modern trailblazers can provide actionable insights and tangible goals.

American Banker published an article profiling the most successful women in banking. Each honoree discusses the skills they value most, from curiosity to emotional intelligence. Learn more about the 2024 honorees and start honing skills that can take you to the top.

In honor of Black History Month, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible people, institutions, and milestones throughout the history of Black banking in America. Between the Emancipation Proclamation and the ratification of the 13th Amendment, approximately 4 million enslaved peoples were freed – people who needed financial services from local institutions.

But access to those services was no guarantee. The history of Black banking is equal parts frustrating and uplifting. Here are just a few key moments of note leading to the present day.

The collapse of The Freedman’s Savings & Trust devastated the Black community. It would take nearly a decade and a half for another institution to earn back that trust. A grassroots movement of Black entrepreneurs, churches, and social organizations pulled together to support the Capital Savings Bank in Washington, D.C. As the first financial institution owned and operated by Black Americans, the Capital Savings Bank did what no white-owned banks at that time would – it funded Black-owned businesses at an incredible rate.

Unlike its predecessor, Capital Savings survived another economic panic in 1893, establishing a pattern of lending that would fund thousands of Black businesses until its doors closed in 1902.

Even at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, black-owned banks remained a rarity. Access to banking services for Black Americans had improved slowly since the Freedman’s Trust nearly a hundred years prior. Then, in the same year that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, the Unity Bank & Trust Company opened its doors.

Dedicated to providing economic opportunity to Black communities in and around Boston, MA, Unity Bank thrived for a time before merging with other institutions. Thankfully, it still operates today as OneUnited Bank – the largest black-owned bank in America.

With assets reported at more than $650 million, OneUnited is an incredible force for financial opportunity and equity in America today. While certainly not the end of progress, OneUnited is inspiring a new generation of financial leaders who may take up the mantle of those who came before.