Flow of Ideas...
By Rod Glinisty
Executive Vice President, Banc Intranets, LLC

Spring 2010

Believe it or not, it’s spring! (See me smiling with my grandchildren last weekend in the photo insert.) First time we could really go and stay outdoors this year! For those of us in the Eastern third of the nation, we are finally out of hibernation, after experiencing one of the worst weather winters by any measure in years! Better attitudes seem to be prevailing now as we start making the rounds to the various conferences we attend in the March through May timeframe. (might want to put a link here of our conference schedule). It’s great to see familiar faces and have the opportunity to meet new people to discuss ‘what’s going on.’

Well, what is going on? From our perspective, in a word…IMPROVEMENT! I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the belt tightening reached its final hole in the fall of ’09. Does this mean enterprises have gotten ‘fatter’ in the last six months and are going the other way on their ‘belt holes,’ to stay with the same analogy? With confidence, I’ll say an emphatic ‘maybe’! It seems to depend on each individual institution this time around, versus the herd or wave mentality that we seem to have had historically. We are seeing and experiencing one-on-one inquiries which are very unique to each organization. However, what is common to all is that hiding from technology is basically over. Most now realize that without a conscious technology strategy of spending to continue productivity improvement programs and reduce costs, you likely will be headed to the sidelines. And when you are there, your competition will grab your market share faster today than in the past. Thus, the survivors and those wanting to survive are showing much more interest in looking for products that provide their employees with the tools necessary to compete. That’s what we are being told by you, as to ‘what’s going on.’

This renewed interest is affecting us in a positive way. In the quarter just ended, we gave more presentations/demos to financial institutions of all sizes than in any quarter since we started seven years ago! That’s great! Our conclusion is that people are very actively looking for technology solutions. They are not only ‘kicking the tires,’ they are willing to spend! That’s a huge positive shift from just a few months ago. In doing these presentations, we also see our discussions becoming much more in depth, much more institution-specific as to need, and that the overall ‘process’ in making a decision, yes, has lengthened. All of that is OK. Hey, we’re a patient bunch! We are not going anywhere. If you are a client reading this, you know that we mean what we say. Thank you for your business! If you’re not a client yet…check us out for an hour and give us a chance to convince you (put in ‘request demo link’?). We would appreciate the opportunity. Our website gives you the full details, but as a reminder, our core solutions are:

• BancWorks, our intranet solution 
• BancTrain, our learning management system 
• DirectorsLink, our board portal
• BankSite, our website solution 

All are web-based and work off the same content management engine that we developed. All are affordable. All are geared for ease of use outside of IT. We are pretty straightforward and we’d love to help you!

Rod

Fall 2009

Presto! What happened to summer? It’s now the quarter we all have been waiting for to gain some momentum going into 2010. Feel any different? Maybe not. Why? Well without listing everything you have listened to or read in various forms of communication, I feel one word sums things up. Uncertainty.

I have been around long enough to have been through many of these business cycles (no, I am not as old and cranky as Andy Rooney!) but this one really does take the cake so to speak. I think you know what I am talking about….

As uncertain as the future may be, here are a few more positive observations we have been noting during our discussions. First is that in spite of everything, ‘the fear’ level in our conversations with customers and prospects has definitely come down from earlier this year. Maybe that’s due to the reality that, yes, things are different, and different, is probably the new normal from now on. Next, we now see effective leadership that exhibits a growing sense of ‘community’. To the point of even creating what we call ‘a community within a community institution’. Makes perfect sense! Satisfied employees usually convey a confidence which bodes well in securing new customers or retaining current ones. Lastly, employees are embracing technology tools that make their jobs easier.

We recently contracted with Community Bank of San Joaquin, CA. They are located in Stockton, CA. (Yes, right in the heart of some major real estate challenges!) On a follow up with Mike Letizia, VP of HR and Security, he sent us the below regarding technology spend at this point in time.

“Regardless of tough economic climates that impact us from time to time, I am always an advocate for the use of improved technology to bring higher productivity, communication and efficiency into the workplace. When strategically implemented, technology can make all the difference between the success and failure of a company or organization and dollars spent can be a savings in the long run.

In our case, after conducting an extensive work-force analysis, we could readily see the significant hard costs associated with employees managing Board documents and communication utilizing minimal technology and antiquated processes. Once these hard costs were identified, it became pretty simple to see the ROI and efficiency factors for implementing Banc Intranets technology solution. Plus, we added Banc Intranet’s features like the ease of access to data from anywhere in the world, customization of the client interface, and user-friendliness of the portal, it made the decision to implement a “no-brainer” to the board.

I recommend to all my colleagues that they look carefully at cutting technology budgets and first be absolutely positive that there is not a potential for improved productivity, efficiency and communication. These three factors have significant hard costs associated with them, and I believe that strategic technology spending, even in difficult times, can be a catalyst for growth and success.”

It’s this kind of thinking that supported a lot more sales activity in the past six weeks for us. Technology interest level and spending is definitely on the rise, and so are employee needs. At Banc Intranets we believe our suite of BancWorks products has been sensitive to those needs and we continue to evolve in an effort to stay abreast. For instance our next release will contain our own ‘calendaring module’. The new calendar module will be a valuable tool that simplifies planning and organization through the scheduling of meetings, events, sending notifications to invitees, and assigning resources. All integrated into our existing intranet framework.

Please contact us to help you in your future success! Our website describes all of our product offerings. We appreciate your business and appreciate your consideration to do business!

Rod

Summer 2009

What a roller coaster ride! Hasn’t it been? Just when you think the worst is behind us, another dose of news hits the wires and the uneasiness continues. From our discussions with clients, prospects and conference attendees, the term ‘playing things close to the vest’ pretty much describes the current state of things. There will be a new normal, and that’s ok, but confidence must return before behavior will return to a more collaborative environment. All realize that technology is a must, but what we have seen the last few months is that financial institutions are nibbling around the edges on technology purchases, while clearly going through more rigorous due diligence on larger technology decisions.

Specifically to Banc Intranets, this has meant more interest in web site development and board portal purchases, but postponement of intranet installs. For us that’s ok, because we feel confident that once an institution uses the content management engine which is common to all our software, they will no doubt feel comfortable at some point with getting the much needed productivity boost provided by BancWorks - our intranet software solution. Interest has not waned in the least. Nor has our ability to work with different size enterprises. We just contracted with two clients, a $226 MM bank in TN and a $2.5 BB bank in WV. So we continue to appreciate your interest going forward!

The upcoming new modules for BancWorks, Calendar and Eforms, are still slated for the next release later this year. Additionally, in March we launched a diversity play of our own with a new division called eResourceLink, . In our discussions with local non-financial business associates, many asked if our software could be used in non-financial areas. Well, after a lot of thought we determined that there is no reason it can’t, and we hired an additional employee to spearhead our efforts outside of banks. We can report that interest initially exists primarily in the healthcare and medical arenas, and in city municipalities. We are demoing our product across a host of other industries as well.

Why is this pertinent to Banc Intranets and you? Well, we are picking up additional enhancements to complement our already robust intranet, which will ultimately help everyone. It also can only improve our long term viability. Again, that helps all. Lastly, as a small business, it has allowed us to add to our employment ranks. Hopefully that helps all in some way as well. (So, the next time you attend your local Rotary Club meeting or equivalent, or meet with one of your bank business clients, please pass on this info and our link. It might be a ‘win’ for everyone! We would be grateful!)

We stand committed to service our core business, the financial institutions, with dedicated personnel and service as we have done in the past. We look forward to hearing from any of you as you contemplate your technology needs for the second half of the year. Have a great rest of the summer and we’ll be in touch with you soon!

Rod

November 1, 2008

On a recent vacation with family I was thinking...Can Small Financial Institutions Apply “Trickle-Up Theory” to Build Consumer Confidence?
OK. There is no denying it; the economy indeed is ugly and the “banks” are part of the blame game. The healing process is just beginning, and, no doubt, there will be a lot more pain in the pipeline. We all have our thoughts on the what, whys and when’s, and I am sure they run the gamut. There’s one message I don’t hear a lot about, and it goes back to the Wall Street/Main Street comparison. And that is: While the media is focused on Wall Street, big business, and bonuses, who is taking care of the day-to-day business with Main Street folks?

Community Banks Helping to Calm Customers
I contend that a large percentage of Main Street dwellers across the USA is being consoled by their local community financial institutions! You all deserve a huge pat on the back and to take a bow on center stage! Unfortunately, unless you take a little initiative on your own, it’s very unlikely anyone will know what you are doing—or how well you are doing it. Fair? No. But it is indeed realistic.

I do know of at least one bank—Burke and Herbert in Alexandria, VA—that managed a TV spot on ABC’s Good Morning America a few weeks ago. Here is the link to the clip in case you want to see it: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6047916.

Personally, I attended a local bank discussion hosted by the Chair Director of Banking at East Tennessee State University one evening at a local hotel. The commissioner of banking from the State of Tennessee attended and joined a panel of two other CEO’s of local banks to give their assessment “of things”, and answer questions from an audience of 100+ people. It was an hour and a half well spent. I learned a lot.

Essentially, all of these community institutions are not taking/getting government bailout money. Their costs are going up for sure with the $250,000 of protection imposed by the FDIC! Most are “sticking to their knitting” for the long term, which is to provide focused fuel (dollars/loans) to their respective communities. In doing so, they are spending many more hours, consoling, comforting, and explaining the complex CDO, CDS, subprime mess, the relationship of the federal banking system to the state regulated banks, and so on. One thing about today: There is no lack of information for the masses to ponder, and there is certainly no clarity in understanding it all!

Country Needs a Dose of Optimism to Trickle up
So...I say we need to start the “trickle-up theory”! (This is not to be confused with the “trickle-down theory” which, frankly, just has too much negative connotation to be revisited). In this case, it’s more like “pass it on” or “play in forward”. The actions and attitudes of small institutions are instilling confidence on a local level. These behaviors (mostly) need to be mimicked up the food chain, so to speak. From towns to cities… to regions… to states… to areas of the country. You get the idea.

We (meaning the USA) need a shot of positive adrenalin, a ground swell of “yes we are and yes we can do more”. Local leadership and conferences need to dwell on this issue somewhat. Think about it! What are the possibilities? They certainly can’t be worse than the situation we now face! Now come on….REALLY think about it! Then do one small positive thing that can start trickling up. You never know……

Rod

September 30, 2008
OK, summer is officially over. It’s back to the grind for many of us who have taken some time off. For us, it’s the start of another busy business travel season to a number of financial institution-related conferences. We like going to see old friends, meeting new ones—and, of course, meeting prospects who will one day turn into new clients.

What is also extremely important is having our current customers share the unique ways they have developed to use BancWorks or their ideas on improvements for the future. Some comments that we received this past year and are now part of our current BankWorks offering including a Help Desk/Ticket system and Photo Gallery. Our next release, by the way, will have a new calendaring feature that some of you requested.

You know, many customers of Banc Intranets are coming back to have us add Directors Link and/or revamp their websites. Some have needed an extranet for various reasons. In fact, we have given our own website a new look using our software.

In August, we initiated an email newsletter campaign with electronic content for your immediate reference. When you have a moment, we would love to receive your feedback—positive or negative—to help us gauge the effectiveness of this type of communication. We want to keep it “fresh” and use our resources wisely. Yet, we don’t want to just keep bombarding you with more things to delete. So your input would be greatly appreciated!

Lastly, and probably most importantly, we have had some natural disasters occur throughout the year. Floods in the Midwest. Hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Treacherous tornados. Our clients have approached us again and we are now putting together products to help.

Our solution will give you a planning site with all of your disaster recovery information hosted in a secure SAS 70 environment and a back up of your intranet with your database in the event a disaster strikes. Let us know if you would like to explore these offerings further. We will do what we can to help as quickly as possible!

Wishing you all the best for the rest of ’08. Keep those cards and letters coming! 

Rod

June 30, 2008
I thought since we are now half way through 2008, this might be a good time for another update....

You know we ALL are being bombarded with negative media these days. If it isn’t oil, gas, or food prices; then it’s a litany of slams on our very own financial industry! Hey, no one’s perfect. Things aren’t the best for large or regional banks right now. That’s a fact. But it’s also a fact that it will not remain gloomy forever. Another fact ‘the pundits’ continue to point out is that community banks overall remain strong and continue to weather the economic storm. Our ongoing communications with many of you reinforces this ‘can do’ spirit within your community institutions. We feel your pain, and want to continue helping. Fact is our YTD performance is our best YTD since we started marketing BancWorks in 2004! Why?

We asked ourselves the very same question! Great products. Great people. Superior customer satisfaction. Well, we would like to pat ourselves on the back a little, but when we step back, the real reason is… our clients choose us, not so much because of us, but because they want to improve their own productivity. They want to be more competitive. They want to do more for their own employees and they want to satisfy their customer base so that they are in a better position to efficiently grow. If you do that….only good things can happen over time!

Our core intranet product, BancWorks^® (with BancTrain^®) remains our growth engine. It is continually improving with new productivity enhancing features and I think most of you will attest it has helped your institution in many ways. We are still surprised on the number of extremely positive comments we receive. Also we can’t say it enough, “we sincerely appreciate the referrals, and time you take with our prospective banks in the reference process!!”

Lastly, we introduced two new products late last year, DirectorsLink,^® and self-managed WebSites. Both have really caught on! Today’s mobile directors and employees need these tools to again do more with less. Extranets, employee hot sites, disaster recovery and reducing the cumbersome process and costs associated with board meetings is becoming the norm to survive. Obviously we would like to talk/demo any or all to you at your convenience. A demo costs nothing and is painless!

It’s summer! Enjoy it! We wish all of you a safe and relaxing vacation. However, if you are one of those left behind to man ‘the fort’, please consider contacting us and let’s see if we can make your life a bit easier, as in more productive. All the best and thanks!

Rod