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Research Report 

The New Growth Playbook: Vertical and Niche Strategies 

Community banks and credit unions are encountering significant headwinds in their attempts to grow deposits, loan portfolios, and customers/members. This exclusive research, authored by Cornerstone’s Ron Shevlin and commissioned by Nymbus, delivers insights and key best practices from leading institutions that are pursuing vertical and niche growth strategies.

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Learn How Leaders Are: 

  • Launching digital brands tailored to underserved segments like gig workers, military recruits, and recent grads 
  • Expanding beyond geographic limits without cannibalizing their core business 
  • Accelerating speed to market with fintech partnerships 
  • Building scalable growth engines that reduce cost and risk 

Report Stats At a Glance

44%

 

of new checking account openings in 2024 were captured by fintechs, neobanks, and digital banks, up from 36% in 2020.

18%

 

year-over-year decline in community bank small business lending by the end of 2023.

2.85%

 

was the average cost of funds for community banks in early 2024, compared to 0.74% in 2020.

Ready to See Real Results With Your Financial Institution?

Solutions from Cornerstone Advisors

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Performance

Cornerstone’s Performance solutions provide a wide range of consulting expertise to help clients identify opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity across their entire organization, whether it’s enhancing the digital experience or optimizing payments. We leverage these services with our proprietary tools, including Performance Vault and Analytics Vault. Armed with unparalleled insider data analytics and benchmarking intel, your bank or credit union will gain the confidence to make sound, data-driven decisions.

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Strategic Planning

Our Strategic Planning services will help your leadership answer the big questions—where are we, where could we be, how do we get there and what’s the impact. Our seasoned consultants will work with you to develop a strategic plan that will empower your organization to achieve tangible “right now” results, as well as build a roadmap for ongoing value creation and success.

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About Cornerstone Advisors

For over 20 years, Cornerstone Advisors has delivered gritty insights, bold strategies and data-driven solutions to build smarter banks, credit unions and fintechs. From technology system selection and implementation to contract negotiations, vendor management, performance improvement programs, strategic planning, merger integration and enterprise program management, Cornerstone combines its expertise with proprietary data and research to help financial institutions thrive in today’s challenging environment. For more information, visit www.crnrstone.com, connect with us on LinkedIn and Youtube, and subscribe to GonzoBanker® for our opinionated take on all things banking.