3.5 Class Hours
Various Instructors
Why this course is important:
The best leaders don’t avoid tough questions—they work through them with the smartest people in the room. That’s exactly what happens in this roundtable.
Students will tackle the questions that keep banking executives up at night, the ones people don’t know how to answer or don’t want to answer. Should a bank pursue Banking as a Service? How do you lead culture when your team is remote? What’s the right approach to AI adoption when balancing innovation with the relationship model at the core of community banking?
These aren’t hypothetical exercises. Third-year students present real strategic projects they’ve developed and second-year students work in small groups to explore the risks, debate the opportunities and develop solutions grounded in their own experiences. The result? Fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions, practical strategies students can take back to their institutions and the confidence that comes from knowing how their peers are navigating the same challenges.
Key takeaways of this course:
- Master emerging challenges before they become crises – Students will get ahead of issues like AI adoption, regulatory shifts and new business models while they still have time to plan strategically
- Gain peer intelligence students can’t get anywhere else – Students will learn what’s working (and what’s not) from bankers who are testing these approaches in real markets with real customers
- Develop actionable strategies aligned with each bank’s values – Students will generate concrete ideas they can implement immediately, whether they’re aggressive innovators or prudent followers
Past topics have included Banking as a Service adoption, leading culture in remote work environments, AI and technology implementation in community banks and other strategic challenges selected by third-year students.
Annual School Session
Second Year, Week 2 Core Course
Competencies: Innovation & Engagement, Leadership & Culture