Why community banks are the secret to thriving local economies artwork
CEO: Behind the Scenes

Why community banks are the secret to thriving local economies

  • S1E38
  • 33:29
  • November 6th 2025

As the banking industry grapples with the complexity of a digital, global market, one question remains: do community banks still matter? In this episode, Tim Crane, Wintrust President and CEO, shares how local banks are quietly fueling America’s economic resilience by keeping relationships at the heart of finance.

Crane explains why proximity and trust still give community banks a competitive edge, how local decision-making drives growth and what happens when financial institutions see themselves as partners in progress rather than profit centers. He also reflects on the cultural challenge of staying small while scaling successfully and the importance of community, connection and long-term impact.

This conversation offers a compelling look at the future of finance.

Listen now to discover how local banking is helping communities – and businesses – thrive.


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Website: https://www.wintrust.com/

CEO: Behind the Scenes

It's easy to forget that behind the title of CEO lies a human. In CEO Behind the Scenes, a podcast from The CEO Magazine, we want to explore the human behind the company and the figure behind the figurehead role as CEOs share their journeys with us.

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