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Embracing Banking Technology Solutions | Baker Hill

Cacie Lunt — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:44:24 GMT

This year, I hit the half-century birthday. It reinforced the importance of truly enjoying what I do in both my personal and professional life. Over my professional life, I’ve had two separate (but related) careers. Starting in 1998, I spent 13 years as a legal assistant/paralegal using DOS based programs, typewriters, and a banking technology solution for bankruptcy deposit accounts.

The Future Power of Agentic AI: Banking’s Next Leap Forward | Baker Hill

Mike Horrocks — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

From Dashboards to Delegation—A New Era Begins

For years, the banking industry has chased digital transformation with sleeker apps, faster onboarding, and data-rich dashboards. But let’s be honest, most “innovation” has been about making the same old processes a little less painful. Now we’re on the cusp of something radically different. Agentic AI isn’t just another tool but rather a paradigm shift. Imagine a future where AI is working on the behalf of your borrowers nonstop as “bankers that never sleep,” giving not just information, but rather insightful advice, deepening the relationship between your institution and your borrowers. Also imagine your bankers’ work being orchestrated so that complex decisions and transactions are done with the precision of a seasoned professional banker, regardless of their experience. That’s the power of Agentic AI, and it’s coming faster than most realize.

What “Jaws” Teaches Us about Business Lending (50 Years Later) | Baker Hill

Mike Horrocks — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Last week marked the 50th anniversary of “Jaws” — the film that made us all a little nervous about the water. But beyond the fins and fear, “Jaws” still offers some surprisingly relevant lessons for today’s business and commercial lenders. Just like the town of Amity Island, the business lending world is full of unknowns, competing priorities and the need for courage under pressure.

Why Commercial Real Estate Is Like the I-95 Collapse…

Mike Horrocks — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When a section of I-95 collapsed in Philadelphia in June of 2023, it sent shockwaves across the East Coast. It wasn’t just a traffic nightmare—it was a vivid reminder of how vital infrastructure is to everyday movement. In response, crews worked around the clock, rebuilt the overpass in just 12 days, and had traffic flowing again before anyone thought possible.

Member Business Lending: Credit Risks & Regulatory Shifts

Mike Horrocks — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When it comes to member business lending (MBL), the rules can feel a bit like playing a game of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). For those unfamiliar, D&D is an iconic role-playing game with two key components: the rulebooks, which dictate how the game is played, and the Dungeon Master (DM), who has the power to shape the game’s outcomes, sometimes overriding the rules entirely. Similarly, in the world of credit unions and MBL, there’s a rulebook that financial institutions must follow—but external factors like credit risk landscapes, credit policy changes, and regulatory updates often function like Dungeon Masters, altering the game on a whim.

Revolutionize Member Business Lending Through Collaboration

Mike Horrocks — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In the world of member business lending (MBL), collaboration and teamwork are paramount for a credit union to succeed. Much like the cooperative board game Forbidden Desert, where players must unite to gather resources and beat the clock, credit union teams need a shared, strategic mindset to excel in MBL. This article delves into how lessons from cooperative games (or just collaboration within your credit union) can help your credit union enhance internal processes, foster cross-departmental alignment, and deliver exceptional value to members – while at the same time meeting the needs of your member business owners!

Combat Fraud in Lending | Baker Hill

Baker Hill — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

At ICBA Live, one trend took center stage in conversations about fraud and one thing was clear: fraud isn’t just evolving—it’s coming full circle. While digital fraud continues to rise, community banks are also seeing a resurgence of “old-school” tactics like check washing, document forgery, and insider fraud. It’s a stark reminder that fraudsters don’t retire their best tricks—they reinvent them. These discussions underscored the growing need for vigilance, as fraud continues to escalate across all aspects of banking, including lending.

Streamline Member Business Lending with Collaboration

Mike Horrocks — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Member business lending (MBL) has entered a dynamic and competitive landscape, compelling credit unions to rethink how they deliver value to their members. To help credit union leaders, lending managers, and executives position themselves for success, we’ve crafted a series of strategies tied to classic games that offer a unique perspective on tackling challenges and achieving excellence in MBL.

Lessons from the Wright Brothers on Member Business Lending

Mike Horrocks — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

It’s 1903, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville and Wilbur Wright are on the brink of something revolutionary—they’ve built a machine that will defy gravity. Yet this wasn’t a stroke of luck. Their groundbreaking flight was the result of a relentless pursuit of learning, testing, and refining ideas until they achieved something that had never been done before.

Commercial Lending and "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York"

Mitch Woods — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

The McCallister family heads out of town for the second year in a row in “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York,” and are headed to Miami to celebrate Christmas. The night before the trip, Kevin causes a commotion at the Christmas pageant after his older brother, Buzz, acts out to get the audience laughing during Kevin’s big solo. Later that night, Buzz delivers a disingenuous apology to the family, and when it’s Kevin’s turn he refuses to apologize and wishes to have his own vacation alone. Spoiler alert in case you haven’t seen the 1992 holiday classic, Kevin’s wish comes true when he gets separated from his family and ends up in New York City while the rest of the McCallisters are in Miami.