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The Cornerstone Story

Telling the unvarnished truth since 2002.
 

How It Started

Founded in 2002, Cornerstone Advisors emerged as a hustling startup to shake things up in the banking world. The founders made the decision that the company wasn’t just going to offer consulting and research—it was going  on a mission to cut through industry jargon and fluff and instead deliver gritty, actionable insights that help banks and credit unions drive real change.

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Scott Sommer

Chairman & Founding Partner

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Steve Williams

CEO & Founding Partner

Terence Roche - Headshot - Circle

Terence Roche

Founding Partner

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Carl Faulkner

Founding Partner Emeritus

Our Affinity with “Troublemakers”

Cornerstone loves troublemakers. Hmmm. What do we mean by that in financial services? And who are these so-called troublemakers? Glad you asked. Troublemakers is how we lovingly refer to our clients (and our prospective clients). These U.S. banks and credit unions are a band of trailblazers. They are laser-focused on serving their customers, supporting their communities and building innovative diverse teams that will lead them into the future. We work with these institutions to build the right strategies together so that they can continue to grow and evolve.

 

We are fiercely dedicated to Troublemakers because we cannot imagine what the financial industry would be like without them. A consolidated marketplace with 3-5 behemoth financial institutions is not good for anyone. So the question is... Are you a troublemaker institution? If so, we hope you will join us on our mission to help you become a Smarter Bank...

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“Gonzo” Culture

Grounded in a “Gonzo” culture of audacity and authenticity, Cornerstone delivers data-driven and wildly prescriptive solutions to help financial institutions that question the norm, challenge the conventional and inspire transformative change to achieve top performance.

 

At Cornerstone, we're not afraid to get our hands dirty. We dive deep, ripping apart inefficiencies and confronting challenges head-on. Our Gonzo culture is built on grit, integrity, and the raw pursuit of truth. We're here to disrupt, to innovate and to guide our clients through the rough terrain of modern banking with unwavering resolve.

 

“Just ok” isn’t part of our vocabulary at Cornerstone! We’re an eclectic bunch of industry veterans and bold thinkers who bring not just experience, but tenacity and a fierce go-getter attitude in everything we do.

Giving Back

 

$2,400,000+

 

Proudly Donated to Various Nonprofits and Communities

Cornerstone isn't just about profits. We're about purpose. From day one, giving back has been part of our DNA. We invest time, resources and expertise to strengthen and support our communities. Beyond the boardroom, our efforts include an annual donation program where Cornerstone makes a monetary gift on behalf of every employee to a cause they care about, a company-wide
Day of Service and year-round volunteering opportunities.