--- title: Plansmith Blog | community bank description: community bank | --- [CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-323-3281](https://www.plansmith.reachproductions.net/project/call-toll-free-1-800-323-3281/) [![Plansmith](https://blog.plansmith.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Plansmith-Logo.png?width=764&height=135&name=Plansmith-Logo.png "Plansmith")](https://www4.plansmith.com) - Solutions - [Budgeting](https://www4.plansmith.com/budgeting/) - [ALM](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm) - [ALM Advisory Services](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm/advisory-services/) - [CECL](https://www4.plansmith.com/cecl/) - [Strategy](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategy/) - [Market Intelligence](https://www4.plansmith.com/market-intelligence/) - Products - [StrategyGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategygps/) - [Compass](https://www4.plansmith.com/compass/) - [BankersGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/bankersgps/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.plansmith.com/) - [Videos](https://plansmith.wistia.com/projects/7qemazkqii) - [Compass Tutorials](https://info.plansmith.com/compass-tutorials) - [Lunch N’ Learn](https://info.plansmith.com/lunch-n-learns) - [Webinars](https://www4.plansmith.com/webinars/) - [About](https://www4.plansmith.com/about/) - [Schedule A Discovery Call](https://www4.plansmith.com/contact-us/) - [CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-323-3281](tel:8003233281) # Plansmith Blog ## [Ask AI: Is RiskGPS a Good Choice for YOUR Institution?](https://blog.plansmith.com/ask-ai-is-riskgps-a-good-choice-for-your-institution) Posted by [Jenny Kane](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jenny-kane) on 9/5/25, 10:11 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/AI-RiskGPS.png)](https://blog.plansmith.com/ask-ai-is-riskgps-a-good-choice-for-your-institution) AI is transforming the way we work, and, at Plansmith, we're excited to be part of the movement. In August 2025, we proudlylaunched our latest innovation, RiskGPS AI Assist, available in our BankersGPS model. Since then, we've received thoughtful questions from clients exploring the new feature. One in particular stood out, and we couldn't resist sharing it with you. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/ask-ai-is-riskgps-a-good-choice-for-your-institution) ## [Putting the “Live” in ICBA Live 2019](https://blog.plansmith.com/putting-the-live-in-icba-live-2019) Posted by [David Schwieder](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/david-schwieder) on 3/27/19, 11:05 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Booth](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Booth.png)](https://blog.plansmith.com/putting-the-live-in-icba-live-2019) When I left the banking industry 6 years ago to join Plansmith, one of my toughest adjustments was working with clients and prospects remotely. Thanks to technology, I can meet with a bank in Maine in the morning and another in Washington that afternoon. Conference lines and GoToMeeting webinars allow for more, faster, and better methods of doing business… or do they? [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/putting-the-live-in-icba-live-2019) ## [Forgotten Components of Interest Rate Risk at Community Banks](https://blog.plansmith.com/forgotten-components-of-interest-rate-risk-at-community-banks) Posted by [Craig Hartman](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/craig-hartman) on 9/26/17, 6:30 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![ForgottenComponentsofIRR.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/ForgottenComponentsofIRR.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/forgotten-components-of-interest-rate-risk-at-community-banks) It is standard operating procedure for community banks to measure interest rate risk by shocking the balance sheet. The percentage change in the Net Interest Margin over several shock levels as an indicator of the severity of risk. While it can provide a clue to the potential loss in the margin, it by no means measures the true risk. The true risk is Equity loss. Equity doesn’t come from NIM but from retained earnings. So to truly measure risk to equity, we must use the entire P&L, not just net interest income. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/forgotten-components-of-interest-rate-risk-at-community-banks) ## [Why Your Community Bank Needs Social Media](https://blog.plansmith.com/why-your-community-bank-needs-social-media) Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 5/25/17, 10:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![rsz\_1social\_media.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/rsz_1social_media.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/why-your-community-bank-needs-social-media) I can talk about social media all day long. And all night, for that matter. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/why-your-community-bank-needs-social-media) ## [The Community Bank Strategic Planning Experiment: Using Your Model To Prepare for Rising Interest Rates](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-community-bank-strategic-planning-experiment) Posted by [Sue West](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/sue-west) on 5/10/17, 10:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![PlanningExperiment.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/PlanningExperiment.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-community-bank-strategic-planning-experiment) Q: What makes an experiment successful? A: Its failures. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/the-community-bank-strategic-planning-experiment) ## [Answered: Bankers' 5 Most Painful Questions about Backtesting](https://blog.plansmith.com/answered-bankers-5-most-painful-questions-about-backtesting) Posted by [Dave Wicklund](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/dave-wicklund) on 1/23/17, 8:18 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/backtestingpainfulquestions.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/answered-bankers-5-most-painful-questions-about-backtesting) Backtesting can be a painful topic for bankers. In this post, I'll answer the top 5 most common questions I hear about backtesting. I'll reference my first post, [Independent Review, Model Validation, and Backtesting](https://blog.plansmith.com/independent-review-model-validation-and-backtesting-for-community-banks)*,*so you might want to revisit it before reading on. In that blog, we looked at the interrelationship of these three items and brought up a few questions on backtesting. Specifically, we questioned 5 things: who should do it, how often should it be done, what period should be covered, do you need to backtest model results and assumptions, and why even bother if market rates really aren’t changing. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/answered-bankers-5-most-painful-questions-about-backtesting) ## [Bankers: The Case for Mentorship & Continuing Education](https://blog.plansmith.com/bankers-the-case-for-mentorship-continuing-education) Posted by [Jennifer Mello](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jennifer-mello) on 10/5/16, 10:34 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![rsz\_mentorblog.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/rsz_mentorblog.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/bankers-the-case-for-mentorship-continuing-education) Education. It’s different when you’re young – you *have* to go through it. You keep moving up another step until graduation, and then one day, it’s all over. Then you have a choice: stop education all together, or continue education and further enhance your career. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/bankers-the-case-for-mentorship-continuing-education) ## [FinTech & The Generational Melting Pot Effect](https://blog.plansmith.com/fintech-and-the-generational-melting-pot-effect) Posted by [Megan Plis](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/megan-plis) on 8/31/16, 10:05 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/rsz_millennials.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/fintech-and-the-generational-melting-pot-effect) There is a lot of buzz surrounding millennials and their unique psychographics and behaviors, especially with regard to buying habits. But it's not just millennials that are exhibiting fascinating (and at times, frustrating) preferences. As Jim Perry of Market Insights and #BANKSOCIAL discusses in his article, [*Modern Demographic Cohorts, Defined By Expectations, Want The Same Things From FIs*](http://bit.ly/2bDAW1s), other generations, including baby boomers, are stepping outside of their perceived demographic\[s\] and assimilating with attitudes, beliefs and even behaviors of diverse age groups. [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/fintech-and-the-generational-melting-pot-effect) ## [Survey Results: Strategic Planning for Community Banks](https://blog.plansmith.com/blog/strategic-planning-for-banks-recent-survey-results) Posted by [Jim Fugitte](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jim-fugitte) on 7/21/16, 2:21 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![july13blogjimfugitte.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/july13blogjimfugitte.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/blog/strategic-planning-for-banks-recent-survey-results) **Most say strategic plans end up on the shelf!** Plansmith Corp. recently conducted a survey of CEOs and CFOs on the role of community bank strategic planning within their organization. It was not surprising to learn that 90% said they have a strategic plan, but a closer look revealed some interesting statistics on the implementation of their plans.  [Read More](https://blog.plansmith.com/blog/strategic-planning-for-banks-recent-survey-results) ## [CEOs: 3 Thoughts on Strategic Thinking](https://blog.plansmith.com/ceos-3-thoughts-on-strategic-thinking) Posted by [Jim Fugitte](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/jim-fugitte) on 6/8/16, 10:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![strategy\_jim\_f\_blog.jpg](https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/strategy_jim_f_blog.jpg)](https://blog.plansmith.com/ceos-3-thoughts-on-strategic-thinking) **Compliance** The cost of regulatory compliance, declining product prices, and technological threats from new entrants all narrow the path to future profits. Even if the yield curve improves, these threats will force community banks to search harder to improve earnings. It can’t be done on the fly; only strategic thinking and careful planning in the context of your market and the opportunities available will be successful. Would you coach a Super Bowl team without a playbook? Probably not. 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