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Cinnaire Raises $340 Million for Affordable Housing Development and Preservation

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Fund – Largest in Organization’s History – will provide affordable housing for 5,400 people across 11 states.

Cinnaire announced recently the closing of a $340 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) multi-investor fund (Fund 43)—the largest investment fund in the organization’s 32-year history. Designed to create housing that provides people a safe, stable place to call home, this fund will finance 33 developments across 11 states, providing 2,455 affordable housing units supporting more than 5,400 individuals and generating more than $844 million in local economic activity.

“The closing of Fund 43 represents a significant milestone in Cinnaire’s history of investing in communities through the creation of affordable housing,” said Matt Hodges, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations at Cinnaire. “Our largest fund ever—creating 2,455 homes across the communities we serve—means more families have a safe place to call home. The collaborative efforts of our team, our partners, and our investors have helped to create housing not only for families and seniors, but also for people with developmental disabilities, those recovering from opioid addiction, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.”

This milestone closing reaffirms the critical role the LIHTC program plays in addressing the nation’s housing crisis and highlights the commitment of both developer and investor partners to creating communities that serve families, seniors, and people with special needs. Fund 43 demonstrates Cinnaire’s strong regional partnerships and national impact. Notably, 90% of the investments are with repeat developer partners.

“For nearly four decades, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit has been the cornerstone of affordable housing development,” said Ryan Robinson, President, Cinnaire Equity Partners. “The support from our developer and investor partners in Fund 43 reaffirms the important role LIHTC plays in addressing our nation’s housing crisis. By investing in affordable housing, we’re simultaneously creating new jobs, stimulating local economies, and promoting long-term stability in our communities.”

Fund 43 will support transformative developments including:

Haven on Main

Haven on Main – La Crosse, WI
Haven on Main is a 70-unit mixed-income community including 59 affordable units and 11 market-rate units. Eighteen units are reserved for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing chronic homelessness. Half of the total units are designed to support independent living for adults on the autism spectrum, addressing the pressing housing need identified by Haven for Special People. The development will offer safety features, green space, therapy and fitness rooms, and job opportunities nearby. Full supportive services will be provided by CouleeCap, a trusted regional leader in housing and anti-poverty work, in partnership with Invista and Haven for Special People.

Imani Village Phase IV – Wilmington, DE
Located in New Castle County, Imani Village IV will deliver 84 new units—57 affordable and 27 market-rate—serving families as part of the Riverside community revitalization effort in Wilmington. Developed by Pennrose Properties in partnership with REACH Riverside and Wilmington Housing Authority, this project is aligned with Purpose Built Communities’ mission to transform neighborhoods of concentrated urban poverty. Supportive services will be offered through Kingswood Community Services. Imani Village IV is the fourth phase of Cinnaire’s partnership with Pennrose and a key component of Wilmington’s inclusive redevelopment plan.

Wellspring Recovery – Farmington Hills, MI
Wellspring Recovery will provide 72 affordable units in Oakland County, Michigan, including 60 units of permanent supportive housing (PSH) dedicated to individuals recovering from opioid addiction. The PSH units will be housed in a separate building divided by a natural green space and supported by project-based rental assistance from Maryland State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Developed by MiSide and Southfield Nonprofit Neighborhood Corporation, the project will feature wrap-around recovery services and comprehensive support for residents. Wellspring marks Cinnaire’s third syndicated opioid recovery housing project and responds to Michigan’s urgent need for housing solutions in the wake of nearly 3,000 overdose deaths in 2023.

With the successful close of Fund 43, Cinnaire has now raised nearly $5.6 billion in LIHTC equity and leveraged more than $11.7 billion in community investment, strengthening its legacy of building thriving communities through mission-driven investment.

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Safe Internet Browsing Tips to Keep Your Bank Secure Online

By Alex Hinsch, Technical Account Manager, Locknet Managed IT, A WBA Associate Member

Community banks in the Midwest are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to their limited IT resources, making them vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware, and data breaches. Implementing secure web browsing practices across the workforce can be one effective tool to help protect your organization. Below are essential tips to safeguard your organization from cyber threats.

Understanding Secure Web Browsing

Secure web browsing involves practices that protect corporate information, privacy, and data from cyber threats like phishing scams, malware, and data breaches. By adopting these strategies, community banks can mitigate risks and ensure a safer online environment for their operations.

Top Ten Safe Internet Browsing Tips for Community Banks

1.  Implement a secure web gateway: Secure web gateways filter malicious websites, prevent access to dangerous content, and block malware, serving as the first line of defense against online threats.
2.  Educate employees on phishing and social engineering: Regular cybersecurity awareness training can help employees identify suspicious emails, avoid clicking on unknown links, and verify website authenticity before entering credentials.
3.  Enforce strong password policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use strong, unique passwords for each online account and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all business accounts to add an extra layer of security.
4.  Use secure and updated browsers: Ensure that all company devices use the most secure internet browsers with automatic updates enabled. Opt for browsers with built-in security features and options to block suspicious websites.
5.  Restrict access to risky websites: Implement content filtering policies that restrict employee access to high-risk websites, including those associated with gambling, adult content, and pirated software.
6.  Deploy endpoint security and antivirus software: Equip all company devices with reputable antivirus software that includes real-time scanning, web protection, and automatic updates to detect and block cyber threats.
7.  Encourage the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): For remote employees or those working from public Wi-Fi networks, use a company-approved VPN to encrypt internet traffic and prevent hackers from intercepting sensitive data.
8.  Limit administrative privileges: Grant administrative access only to essential personnel to minimize the risk of malware installation and unauthorized changes to security settings.
9.  Monitor and log web activity: Regularly monitoring employee web activity can help identify potential security risks. Use web filtering solutions and endpoint security platforms to track internet usage and detect suspicious behavior.
10.  Establish a clear internet usage policy: A well-defined internet usage policy sets expectations for employees regarding safe web browsing habits, outlining guidelines on acceptable website usage, prohibited activities, and consequences of violating security protocols.

Final Thoughts on Secure Web Browsing

Implementing these safe internet browsing tips can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks. Prioritizing secure web browsing protocols, employee education, and proactive security measures can go a long way in protecting your bank. Foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness to create a safer digital environment for employees and customers alike.

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Navigating an Uncertain Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

Originally predicted to be a year of falling rates, rate-cut expectations have since come down considerably and some analysts are even anticipating that the Federal Reserve could hike rates at some point in 2025. Meanwhile, most financial institutions have outsized risk exposure one way or another—but this can and should change. We believe that beginning to fix the institution’s balance sheet mismatch now makes sense versus waiting for the Fed.

Rather than asking which way certain rates will move and by how much—a question that’s impossible to answer at this point—decision-makers at your financial institution instead should be asking: What can we do now that will be most impactful regardless of what the rate environment brings? The answers lie in your institution’s loan portfolio and deposit strategies.

Have an ‘all-weather’ strategy for 2025

Given that many institutions have outsized exposure to interest rate changes, it’s crucial to address these risks early in the year. The first step is determining whether your institution is adequately positioned for the current rate environment. Many community banks have faced challenges due to the rapid rise in interest rates over the past few years and are still not fully prepared for this environment. As rates are not expected to fall dramatically in the near term, unless there is a severe economic slowdown, institutions in this position should reassess their deposit pricing strategies to ensure they are competitive yet profitable.

If your institution is well-positioned for the current rate environment, there is still work to be done. It’s time to reassess your institution’s balance sheet in light of the ongoing uncertainty, preparing for both upward and downward rate movements to mitigate risk and maximize returns. Remember that decisions made now can set the tone for the entire year, making early action essential.

Fortunately, your institution doesn’t have to recreate the wheel when approaching this “all-weather” strategy; rather it’s just a matter of optimizing what your institution is already doing. This includes:

  • Maximizing loan yields: Institutions should focus on obtaining the highest possible yields on loan renewals without losing business. This involves securing better rates and terms and not giving away revenue unnecessarily.
  • Determining the most optimal deposit pricing: Getting deposit pricing right early in the year is crucial for driving revenue and improving margins.
  • Making strategic investments: Given the significant changes to the yield curve over the past few months, institutions must evaluate their options for deploying cash and reinvesting. Investing in securities with favorable yields and durations can help institutions manage their interest rate risk and improve overall returns.
  • Staying informed of economic changes: The Fed’s focus on inflation and employment will play a crucial role in determining future rate movements. Decision-makers at your financial institution should stay informed about these trends and adjust their strategies accordingly. Similarly, it’s important to understand what drives consumer spending and government spending, as these factors can significantly impact the country’s economic outlook and influence the strategies that financial institutions should adopt.

Finally, although the uncertainty surrounding changes in presidential policies and resulting economic impacts may seem more pronounced this year, it’s important to keep in mind that your institution has handled uncertainty before. By focusing on balance sheet management, optimizing loan and deposit strategies, and staying adaptable to economic changes, institutions can position themselves for success in the coming year. This includes taking a proactive approach and leveraging the current rate environment to your advantage rather than merely reacting to the changes as they occur.

Kent Musbach is a senior vice president and Marc Gall is a senior vice president and asset/liability strategist for BOK Financial Capital Markets.

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and tailored solutions. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes.

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are:  NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

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Should I Be Reinvesting in My Bond Portfolio?

By Todd Taylor, CFA, CPA and Sasha Antskaitis, CFA managing partners with HUB Financial Services, a WBA associate member.

With investment yields currently well-above their 5- and 10-year averages, many financial institution executives are asking this question. In this article we discuss important considerations that can help provide clarity relating to investment strategies in the current environment:

Spread to Cash. For all of 2023 and 2024, the average spread between the Fed effective rate (cash yield) and the 5-year Treasury (investment proxy) was negative 99 basis points. It was more difficult to find additional income in investments vs. cash without taking on some level of risk. Today, the spread is straddling zero +/- 10 basis points. With various investment options trading at +30 to +120 bps spread to Treasuries, investors can now find meaningful income pick up vs. cash to help widen overall margins. Similarly, with lower short term funding rates, it is no longer punitive to temporarily utilize non-core sources to fund reinvestment activity.

Anticipated Loan Demand. If net new loan demand is expected to be robust, there may not be a lot of cash flow available for deployment in the investment portfolio. However, if loan demand is slowing or is being managed to a slower pace intentionally due to capital, concentration and/or liquidity constraints, reinvesting cash flow could be warranted.

Liquidity Profile. When evaluating the liquidity position, it is important to consider current excess cash in the overnight account, along with wholesale funding availability/dependency, large depositor makeup, and pledging needs. Institutions with elevated wholesale funding dependency and higher asset liquidity ratios may choose to reduce non-core funding levels with incoming investment cash flow, especially if capital ratios are constrained. Alternatively, institutions with ample funding capacity should evaluate reinvesting excess cash in the bond portfolio.

Interest Rate Risk. Institutions with clear asset sensitive exposures (i.e., large cash positions) could consider certain types of investments as a balance sheet hedge against a prolonged declining rate environment. Executives should be very intentional selecting investments with various degrees of call protection. It is also wise to evaluate other strategies to help reduce this risk, including derivatives.

Fed Funds Rate vs. Yield Curve. When thinking about “rates” it is important to understand that just because the Fed Funds Rate is decreasing, like it did during the second half of 2024, it does not mean yields across all points of the yield curve are also decreasing. Specifically, the Fed cut the Fed Funds rate by 100 bps between 9/18/24 and 12/31/24, but the 5-year Treasury yield increased by 90 bps during the same timeframe. For those expecting a strong correlation, this created seemingly unexpected volatility in market values.

Current Unrealized Loss and AOCI. Significant Fed Funds rate increases in 2022-23 caused Treasury yields to spike, leading to bond price declines. For financial institutions, the unrealized loss of the AFS portfolio resides in the AOCI account, which reduces book/tangible equity. This is an important consideration when evaluating additional investments that could layer in additional AOCI impact. Depending on the future shape of the yield curve, investments with some duration added today could help reduce the unrealized gain faster (if the yield curve moves lower) or could further increase the unrealized loss (should the yield curve move higher). No one can confidently predict interest rates. Therefore, if the risk of additional unrealized loss is a material balance sheet concern, institutions can consider shorter duration investments, including those with variable rate coupons.

Long Term Investment Strategy Focus. For most institutions, the investment portfolio represents a meaningful earning asset. Therefore, managers should employ a strategic approach to portfolio management. This means principles such as dollar cost-averaging, sector allocation, and yield curve positioning should be viewed from a longer-term perspective. “Chasing yields” and frequent/significant churning of the portfolio can negatively impact returns for years to come.

Utilize Portfolio Management Principles. Individual securities within a portfolio can perform differently in several rate scenarios. It is the whole portfolio performance that should be ultimately evaluated. Investments should be monitored for strategic repositioning opportunities to rebalance the portfolio given changes in market conditions.

HUB Financial Services’ Take:
Navigating the current fixed-income landscape presents a complex challenge for community banks. Prevailing yield curve dynamics and liquidity conditions offer ambiguous signals, requiring careful deliberation regarding portfolio reinvestment strategies. The considerations outlined above provide a framework for this analysis. However, each institution’s specific circumstances, including capital adequacy, liquidity requirements, and prevailing market conditions, necessitate a tailored approach. Consequently, access to robust internal or external investment and balance sheet management expertise is critical. This expertise facilitates a holistic investment strategy, aligning portfolio construction with distinct institutional objectives and needs, ultimately driving enhanced performance and mitigating the risk of suboptimal investment decisions.

An Associate Member of Wisconsin Bankers Association, HUB Financial Services provides consulting and advisory services in the areas of ALCO, capital, liquidity, interest rate risk and investments to community-based financial institutions throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.tayloradvisor.com or contact Todd Taylor at todd.taylor@hubinternational.com and Sasha Antskaitis at sasha.antskaitis@hubinternational.com.

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Navigating an Uncertain Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

Originally predicted to be a year of falling rates, rate-cut expectations have since come down considerably and some analysts are even anticipating that the Federal Reserve could hike rates at some point in 2025. Meanwhile, most financial institutions have outsized risk exposure one way or another—but this can and should change. We believe that beginning to fix the institution’s balance sheet mismatch now makes sense versus waiting for the Fed.

Rather than asking which way certain rates will move and by how much—a question that’s impossible to answer at this point—decision-makers at your financial institution instead should be asking: What can we do now that will be most impactful regardless of what the rate environment brings? The answers lie in your institution’s loan portfolio and deposit strategies.

Have an ‘all-weather’ strategy for 2025

Given that many institutions have outsized exposure to interest rate changes, it’s crucial to address these risks early in the year. The first step is determining whether your institution is adequately positioned for the current rate environment. Many community banks have faced challenges due to the rapid rise in interest rates over the past few years and are still not fully prepared for this environment. As rates are not expected to fall dramatically in the near term, unless there is a severe economic slowdown, institutions in this position should reassess their deposit pricing strategies to ensure they are competitive yet profitable.

If your institution is well-positioned for the current rate environment, there is still work to be done. It’s time to reassess your institution’s balance sheet in light of the ongoing uncertainty, preparing for both upward and downward rate movements to mitigate risk and maximize returns. Remember that decisions made now can set the tone for the entire year, making early action essential.

Fortunately, your institution doesn’t have to recreate the wheel when approaching this “all-weather” strategy; rather it’s just a matter of optimizing what your institution is already doing. This includes:

Maximizing loan yields: Institutions should focus on obtaining the highest possible yields on loan renewals without losing business. This involves securing better rates and terms and not giving away revenue unnecessarily.

Determining the most optimal deposit pricing: Getting deposit pricing right early in the year is crucial for driving revenue and improving margins.

Making strategic investments: Given the significant changes to the yield curve over the past few months, institutions must evaluate their options for deploying cash and reinvesting. Investing in securities with favorable yields and durations can help institutions manage their interest rate risk and improve overall returns.

Staying informed of economic changes: The Fed’s focus on inflation and employment will play a crucial role in determining future rate movements. Decision-makers at your financial institution should stay informed about these trends and adjust their strategies accordingly. Similarly, it’s important to understand what drives consumer spending and government spending, as these factors can significantly impact the country’s economic outlook and influence the strategies that financial institutions should adopt.

Finally, although the uncertainty surrounding changes in presidential policies and resulting economic impacts may seem more pronounced this year, it’s important to keep in mind that your institution has handled uncertainty before. By focusing on balance sheet management, optimizing loan and deposit strategies, and staying adaptable to economic changes, institutions can position themselves for success in the coming year. This includes taking a proactive approach and leveraging the current rate environment to your advantage rather than merely reacting to the changes as they occur.

Contact Information

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and timely considerations. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes.

bokfinancial.com/institutions

Disclosure

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

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Putting Your Institution’s Best Foot Forward for a Lower-Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

After four years of hiking rates and then keeping them high, the Federal Reserve has now started lowering rates, hitting the ground running with a large cut of 50 basis points (0.50%) in September. As rates continue to fall, it’s important for management teams to understand how lower rates will impact their institutions’ income statements and to take steps to better position themselves for the even lower-rate environment likely to come.

Past, present and future conditions

First, let’s consider where we are now and how we’ve gotten here. Over the past few years, federal and consumer spending have been driving economic growth, despite higher interest rates. However, with many consumers now having used up all their excess savings from COVID—and then some—and also having record credit card debt, it’s questionable whether consumer spending can last at these levels. Meanwhile, unemployment has risen, which has raised concerns about weakening in the job market, even though unemployment is still relatively low on a historical basis. Given all these factors, the market is now forecasting a large number of Fed rate cuts, and some investors are wondering if the Fed can still pull off a soft landing or if a recession is in the making.

Preparing for 2025

Against this backdrop, each decision your management team makes in the last quarter of 2024 will be impactful for 2025. For instance, one important question to consider is when to begin cutting deposit rates. As financial institutions assess their ability and willingness to do so, margin and liquidity position will be important considerations. The news cycle also may aid decision-making this time around, as the Fed cuts likely will be well covered by the media. Consider reviewing rates against wholesale funding rates regularly and be prepared to adjust deposit rates frequently. Conversely, intermediate Treasury and wholesale funding rates have already fallen. To the fullest extent possible, attempt to hold loan rates higher for longer until the cost of funds begins to recede. Frequently, we see a race to the bottom on loan rates, so be prepared to fight for every basis point! This strategy may allow your institution to manage net interest margin from both sides of the balance sheet.

Understanding your interest rate risk position

With a significant inversion in the yield curve between Fed Funds and intermediate Treasuries, a non-parallel yield curve shift may be a more likely outcome. This may be led by the front end coming down more significantly than any changes in term Treasury rates that have already accounted for expected future rate cuts. If your institution has substantial risk around falling rates, you may be wondering if it is too late to manage your position given the inversion in the curve. What if you will benefit at some point from a steeper lower yield curve? Can you wait it out? With these questions in mind, you may want to take some proactive steps to hedge the risk of the market being wrong.

Investment portfolio conundrum

The current yield curve challenges investors to diversify risks. Although keeping large amounts of cash or short securities can generate the highest yield today, doing so could result in significant yield erosion if or when the short end comes down. Equally, the decision to lock into investments further out on the curve may give up immediate earnings for possible future benefit.

Instead, a balanced investment strategy could allow your institution to add a mix of securities that average a yield close to the Fed Funds rate with an allocation to call-protected assets. We urge management teams to consider the trade-off of investing in only the highest yield options compared to the potential benefits of adding assets with call protection that could result in an unrealized gain when the Fed lowers rates further.

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that repeating the past is unlikely, but it’s still essential to learn from it. Understanding the choices that your institution made and then making informed decisions for the future is how your institution can and will put its best foot forward.

Contact Information

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and timely considerations. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes.

bokfinancial.com/institutions

Disclosure

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

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How the Right IT Managed Security Services Provider Can Help You Optimize and Grow

Sponsored content by Wipfli, a WBA Silver Associate Member

By Tom Wojcinski and Jeff Olejnik

IT Managed security services are vital in helping financial institutions oversee IT operations and compliance — but the right provider can take that role further.

IT Managed security services that bring increased capability and industry specialization can go from managing your IT infrastructure to modernizing it, acting as a strategic partner in identifying the solutions you need to optimize workflows and enhance the customer experience. And it can help you understand the latest updates to the cyberthreat landscape and regulatory priorities so your operations stay secure and compliant.

When you’re working with the right provider, you’re not just getting support for your servers — you’re getting support for your business.

Here are four ways IT managed security services can help you hand off operational tasks and grow your institution:

1. Modernizing your IT infrastructure

To implement the latest solutions, increase productivity and better reach customers, you need the right infrastructure. IT services can be a valuable source of insights into how your organization can create a modern workplace environment.

The right provider can help you update your IT infrastructure by switching out legacy systems and implementing cloud infrastructure — including helping you address the resulting security concerns.

Software as service (SaaS) platforms come with built-in security features, but they often leave you responsible for establishing things like permissions and access control. Your provider can help you build security strategies for cloud services and integrate new solutions with your core banking system.

2. Meeting customer needs

Customers expect services to be faster and more accessible across industries. If your financial institution wants to stay competitive, it needs to evolve the customer experience.

Managed services can help by taking on a more strategic role, providing guidance on an IT road map that supports technologies to help you:

Use dashboards to track key customer metrics.

Create a better omnichannel experience.

Use customer data to effectively cross-sell and increase wallet share.

Partnering with an effective provider can help you better strategize on how your institution can improve workflows and productivity so that you can deliver the experience your customers expect.

3. Enhancing your cybersecurity

Cyberattacks continue to increase in frequency and severity. Your IT managed security services should be helping your institution keep pace with support for:

Being proactive: In addition to addressing server performance issues, your provider should be proactively looking for indicators of compromise. They should employ 24/7 monitoring that can quickly identify and research any anomalies so that potential compromises can be solved before they escalate.

Staying updated: As AI continues to increase the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, your provider should not only be helping your institution enhance data protection but also adapting its own capabilities. An effective provider has the tools, infrastructure and threat detection in place to help them identify indicators of compromise faster, such as advanced endpoint detection and response and AI-powered threat correlation.

Meeting regulatory expectations: managed IT support with industry specialization can help ensure your institution meets key regulatory priorities in areas including ransomware, operational resilience and incident response. For example, it’s crucial that financial institutions use a provider that can retain security event logs if an incident does occur.

4. Providing crucial talent

For most institutions, establishing 24/7 security operations in-house is neither cost-effective nor viable.

Employing enough staff to provide that level of support requires substantial resources. And attracting and retaining staff can be equally challenging, given the current labor shortages and the relative lack of complexity and challenge financial institutions provide for these roles.

Outsourcing these positions with managed services provides you with the necessary staff and infrastructure without the cost of hiring. They can also help guide your institution’s data security at the executive level with fractional or virtual CISO services.

How Wipfli can help

Wipfli’s managed services go beyond IT operations and compliance to help your financial institution evolve. With industry specialization and deep cybersecurity capability, we can provide your institution with the solutions and strategy it needs to optimize operations and further its growth. We can also work alongside your current provider to augment your existing support.

Contact us today to learn more about how our managed services can transform your institution.

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Get Your Balance Sheet Recession Ready! Capital in Focus.

Content by HUB|Taylor Advisors, a WBA Associate Member

By Todd Taylor, CFA, CPA and Tom Evans, CFA

We have published a series of articles about getting your liquidity and interest rate risk management processes exam ready. As we talk to various clients and present at numerous events, it is becoming clear that capital is shifting into focus for all regulatory agencies. Early on in the pandemic, fiscal and monetary stimulus flooded balance sheets with low-cost deposits, oftentimes creating asset growth that exceeded capital generation. Regulators were quick to provide a grace period for leverage ratios in response to the emergency programs as liquidity was bountiful and risk-based capital ratios were contained. In this article, we’ll set the stage for what examiners are focusing on, and how you can prepare for more scrutiny around credit concentrations and capital management.

Regulators have a long-standing scrutiny of commercial real estate (CRE) and Acquisition/Construction and Development (C&D) concentrations dating back to pre-crisis times. Numerous FILs, publications, and advisories have been issued to document expectations around monitoring these concentrations and best practices for ongoing management. We are beginning to see regulators take a more ‘proactive’ approach to supervising institutions with lower key capital ratios and higher concentrations and growth rates.

  • The OCC is increasingly implementing Individual Minimum Capital Ratios (IMCR) to address CRE and concentration concerns, implementing minimum ratios of 9-10% for Tier 1 Leverage and 12-14% for Total Risk-Based Capital.
  • Other regulators are engaging in CRE enforcement actions (formal and informal) directing banks to reduce CRE concentrations and enhance portfolio monitoring and reporting.
  • Merger approvals are increasingly incorporating CRE concentrations and capital levels, with some recent deals announced in conjunction with capital raises.

As we have written before, there is a strong relationship between credit cycles and interest rates. While the banking sector has not seen materially adverse credit losses, we have seen consumer delinquencies return to and exceed pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, the CMBS market is showing refinancing challenges for low coupon underperforming office and multifamily loans as delinquency and default rates are gaining momentum.

In response to enhanced scrutiny of capital, institutions are evaluating avenues to shore up capital via subordinated debt, a holding company loan or line of credit, sale-leaseback, and mutual holding company conversions, to name a few. Each of these sources comes with varying costs of capital but can help to fortify the balance sheet for potential turbulence down the road. Other institutions are evaluating investment loss trades to reposition balance sheets, giving up regulatory capital today for potential longer-term benefits. Depending on your institution’s capital levels and concentrations, now may not be the optimal time to deplete regulatory capital for a protracted break-even prospect.

Taylor Advisors Take:  A bird in the hand may be worth two in the bush! Institutions must be preparing today for heightened capital and regulatory risk tomorrow. Risks and opportunities are unique to each institution based on their respective loan portfolio, capital, liquidity, interest rate risk, and investment portfolio. An effective ALCO from a whole balance sheet perspective can help ensure that your entire balance sheet is ready for the next exam, for the next phase of the credit and interest rate cycle, and to implement tailored strategies to set your institution up for long-term success.

 

 

 

 

 

An Associate Member of WBA, HUB|Taylor Advisors provides consulting and advisory services in the areas of ALCO, capital, liquidity, interest rate risk, and investments to community-based financial institutions throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.tayloradvisor.com or contact Todd Taylor at todd.taylor@hubinternational.com and Tom Evans at tom.evans@hubinternational.com.

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5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your MSP Services

Sponsored content by Wipfli, a WBA Silver Associate Member

By Jeff Olejnik and Tom Wojcinski 

Your managed services provider (MSP) may be responsive in helping you manage your servers and meet basic compliance needs — but is that enough?  

Financial institutions face new cybersecurity and IT considerations as they adopt the latest innovations for optimizing operations and enhancing customer experience. And the cybersecurity threat landscape continues evolving as AI brings new efficiencies to both businesses and threat actors.  

If your MSP isn’t helping meet your changing IT needs, it may limit your growth. Switch to an MSP that can join you as a strategic partner — not just a service provider — helping you go beyond the basics to transform your institution.  

Here are five signs you’ve outgrown your MSP services:  

1. They’re not industry specialized 

Many MSPs work with multiple industries, meaning they often lack knowledge of the unique operations and regulatory requirements of financial institutions.  

When you work with an MSP that offers industry-specialized services, you’re working with people who have a deeper understanding of your technology requirements and the industry challenges you’re likely to face. They understand the business applications and can help you maximize availability. And they can apply their experience in helping other financial institutions to your obstacles.  

2. They’re not helping you meet regulatory priorities 

The threat landscape has changed since the FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool was last updated in May 2017, and regulatory priorities reflect that.  

Regulators are now inspecting for the additional priorities outlined in the Fiscal Year 2024 Bank Supervision Operating Plan. This plan highlights critical areas such as data recovery, access controls and operational resilience.  

Your MSP should not only be aware of these regulatory priorities but also help you update your security controls to satisfy regulators.   

3.  They don’t help guide your digital strategy 

With the rapid pace of technological change, modernizing business is a key concern across industries. 

For financial institutions, modernizing often involves integrating your core banking systems with new customer relationship management and analytics systems. And that process requires support for more than just your servers.  

Your MSP should be able to help you develop an IT road map, guiding you in creating a technology infrastructure that supports your organization’s strategic vision, identifying potential challenges and providing recommendations. They should also take a proactive role in helping you identify ways to use technology to improve workflows, productivity and customer experience — all while helping ensure your IT strategy and strategic plan stay aligned.  

4. They lack scalability 

Many MSPs operate as smaller organizations with limited staff. That means that as your organization grows, it may not be able to scale with you.  

Find a provider capable of supporting your future growth, not just fixing and patching your servers. You need an organization with the bench strength to support you as your cybersecurity needs and IT infrastructure evolve.  

5. They’re not meeting your security needs 

The introduction of innovations such as AI and cloud services has changed the threat landscape significantly.  

To effectively secure your cloud environment, your institution needs to work with a provider who can offer design and engineering support for critical safeguards, such as access control, identity management and security configurations. And now that threat actors are using AI to increase the frequency and sophistication of attacks, you’ll need an MSP capable of responding.  

Partner with an MSP that maintains connections with different threat intelligence sources and understands the latest threats on a global scale — especially those impacting financial institutions. MSPs that work with organizations like FS-ISAC are better equipped to apply their knowledge of the latest threats to protect your institution.  

How Wipfli can help  

Wipfli’s managed services team brings deep industry experience to support your financial institution’s IT needs. We understand your critical industry, operational and regulatory concerns, and we’re ready to provide proactive guidance to help you address them.  

Contact us today to learn more about how our MSP services can do more to further your growth.  

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Putting Your Institution’s Best Foot Forward for a Lower-Rate Environment

Sponsored content by BOK Financial Capital Markets, a WBA Gold Associate Member

By Kent Musbach, senior vice president, and Marc Gall, senior vice president and asset/liability strategist, BOK Financial Capital Markets

After transitioning from near-zero rates to one of the fastest rate-hiking cycles we’ve ever seen, financial institutions are now in the position of waiting for rates to fall. As we wait for the Fed’s next move, it’s important for management teams to understand how lower rates will impact their institutions’ income statements and take steps to better position themselves for the lower-rate environment likely to come. 

 Many financial institutions funding their balance sheet short 

First, let’s consider where we are now. Federal and consumer spending have been driving economic growth, despite the higher interest rates. This growth, in turn, has the markets thinking the Fed will delay rate cuts until later this year or possibly into 2025. 

Funding short has not yet worked out, with funding continuing to roll at nearly the highest cost on the curve. Coupled with continued deposit migration within the bank, cost of funds is continuing to rise at many institutions. 

Managing expectations for rate cuts 

To manage margin this year, one question to ask is if your institution will need to offer the highest interest rate in the market for deposits or one that’s “just close enough” to that rate to keep existing customers. We find that, if the rates are close enough, the incumbent tends to win because consumers don’t want to deal with the hassle of moving their money. This strategy may allow your institution to manage the upward pressure in cost of funds (COF). Additionally, management teams may consider what realistic reprieve in COF may come from the first few Fed cuts. Many institutions have not raised non-maturity account rates in line with non-bank alternatives (ex. money market mutual funds). Consequently, community banks may be reluctant to reduce rates on these accounts, as they will still be below alternate funding costs. 

 Investment portfolio conundrum 

Some institutions may have decided that they’re not taking any risk by accumulating cash. However, we challenge that thought: If the Fed starts cutting rates and your institution doesn’t get a meaningful and immediate COF improvement, your institution’s earnings on that cash are going to drop immediately. And so, institutions that are asset-sensitive or holding cash today need to consider the immediate margin compression that could occur once the Fed starts cutting rates. In the meantime, locking into investments closer to cash rates today can help hold yield until the COF starts to decline. A balanced investment strategy could allow your institution to add a mix of securities that average a yield close to Fed Funds with an allocation to call-protected assets. We urge management teams to consider the trade-off of investing in only the highest yield options compared to the potential benefits of adding assets with call protection that could result in an unrealized gain when the Fed lowers rates.  

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that repeating the past is unlikely, but it’s still essential to learn from it. Understanding the choices that your institution made, and then making informed decisions is how your institution can and will put its best foot forward.  

Kent Musbach is a senior vice president and Marc Gall is a senior vice president and asset/liability strategist for BOK Financial Capital Markets. 

Contact Information 

Contact BOK Financial Capital Markets at 866-440-6514 to discuss the latest economic outlook and timely considerations. We can help guide a unique, well-conceived strategy that considers many variables and potential outcomes. 

bokfinancial.com/institutions 

Disclosure 

The opinions expressed herein reflect the judgment of the author(s) at this date, and are subject to change without notice. The information provided has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Forward‐looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and the economy in general, and are not guarantees of future performance. Likewise, past performance is not a guarantee of future results.  

BOK Financial® is a trademark of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Bank dealer services offered through BOK Financial Capital Markets, which operates as a separately identifiable department of BOKF, NA. BOKF, NA is the bank subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation. Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE 

 

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