Back in 2022, we completely restructured how we work. Instead of the old way of doing things, we built empowered teams focused on specific business areas. The whole idea was simple: get you talking directly to the people who can make decisions and give you that personal, small-company experience you deserve.

Now, every employee is part of a dedicated sales team that supports your specific industry. Need help? Anyone on your team can jump in and solve your problem fast. No more getting bounced around or waiting for approvals from people three levels up.

But you don't have to take our word for it. Here's what Matt Arnold from our Lakeland team told us:

"You bet I've noticed differences!" Matt says the biggest changes he's seen are faster turnaround times and better service overall. "I can always count on Axiom Bank to be consistent and to step up to the plate to put the customer first."

Why he sticks with us: "I choose to do business with Axiom Bank because of the service all the way around. I can count on people. I can count on special assistance when I need it, even if it means running through a storm to deliver important documents! They go the extra mile for me, and it's greatly appreciated by my team."

What matters most: "Because of consistent service and strong business relationships, I can count on Axiom Bank to get it done on time."

The bottom line: "The staff at Axiom Bank returns my calls quickly. I have a sales rep that I can count on and dependable service for everyone on my team. Axiom Bank makes it simple for me."

That's exactly what we were going for - making your life easier while getting you better results.

Here's something we all know: people love to buy things, but the moment they feel like they're being "sold to," they shut down. It's one of those weird things about human nature - even when something's clearly good for them, if it feels like a sales pitch, they'll resist just on principle.

Tom Hopkins, who's trained salespeople all over the world, figured out a simple trick that changes everything. Instead of using words that make people think "salesperson," use words that just sound like normal conversation. You're saying the exact same thing, but it feels completely different.

Check this out - which of these would make you more comfortable?

Version A: "Jim, I know you've got some objections regarding the terms of this deal, so let's look at a cheaper option that we've offered to other customers."

Version B: "Jim, I know you've got some areas of concern about this opportunity, so let's look at a more economical option that we've used to help other people."

Same message, totally different feeling, right?

Here are some simple swaps that work like magic:

• Instead of "commission" → "fee for service"

• Instead of "cost" or "price" → "total investment"

• Instead of "down payment" → "initial investment"

• Instead of "buy" → "own"

• Instead of "deal" → "opportunity"

• Instead of "sign" → "OK this" or "approve"

• Instead of "objections" → "areas of concern"

• Instead of "prospects" → "future clients"

• Instead of "customers" → "people" or "people we serve"

It's not about being sneaky, it's about making people feel comfortable so they can focus on whether what you're offering actually helps them. And when people feel at ease, everybody wins.

Meet Laura Love, SVP-Human Resources

 Laura Love's career path makes perfect sense when you think about it; she started out fascinated by what makes people tick, and now she spends her days making sure our team has everything they need to succeed.

 As our SVP of Human Resources, Laura handles everything from finding great new hires to managing benefits, dealing with workplace issues, and making sure everyone's getting paid fairly. Right now, she's particularly excited about streamlining our benefits enrollment process later this year, because nobody wants to spend their lunch break trying to figure out healthcare forms.

 Laura's been with us since 2016, but before that, she had quite the challenge, managing HR for 24 different Signature Flight Support locations scattered across the globe. Talk about keeping busy! That experience definitely prepared her for anything we could throw at her.

 Her education tells the story perfectly: she got her Bachelor's in Psychology from Northern Illinois University, then went deeper with a Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Roosevelt University. She didn't stop there either - she earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and became a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

 When Laura's not at work solving people puzzles, she's got pretty interesting hobbies. She loves interior design, gets creative with her Cricut machine making greeting cards and crafts, and - here's where it gets fun - she's got a serious need for speed. Her current ride? A Cadillac CT4V Blackwing hotrod that can probably outrun most things on the road.

 From studying human behavior in college to managing it in real life, Laura's found her perfect fit helping our team thrive.

BankiFi and progressive financial institution Axiom Bank, N.A. are joining forces to make banking better for small-to-medium size businesses (SMBs) across the United States. The new partnership also represents BankiFi’s first North American client since its stateside launch in July.

As part of its continued efforts to support SMBs around the world, BankiFi has announced the launch of a new partnership with Axiom Bank. Moving forward, Axiom Bank’s SMB customers will be able to better track and manage their business finances using BankiFi’s leading embedded banking services. BankiFi’s Open Cash Management platform has been built with speed in mind. The system will help to put Axiom Bank and its associated digital channel back at the heart of relationships with business customers.

BankiFi’s Open Cash Management platform can be seamlessly integrated with major accounting packages popular across the U.S., including QuickBooks and XERO. In addition, the system can handle the collection, matching, and reconciliation of invoice payments submitted through various payment networks in a quick and efficient manner.

Speaking on the new partnership, Keith Riddle, CEO of BankiFi Americas, commented: “We are delighted to announce this new agreement with Axiom Bank. Financial institutions in the U.S. are facing existential threat from fintech platforms, national banks, and accounting package vendors that are offering a competitive suite of payment solutions and financial services to SMBs. Through BankiFi, these valuable institutions can begin fighting back and regain the trust of SMB customers.”

The new partnership forms part of Axiom Bank’s plan to grow its SMB client base nationwide. Axiom Bank and BankiFi will work to continually update their offering to customers by adding new functionality to an already industry-leading platform. In doing so, the two companies aim to fill a void within the suite of digital financial workflows designed for the SMB vertical. The solution allows payments to be collected faster and data integration to be automated, and provides valuable business insights.

Speaking on the new agreement, Mike Coyne, Chief Information Officer at Axiom Bank, commented: “Many SMBs across the U.S. are struggling right now and need help to keep their heads above water. And many banks are unable to offer this support effectively, having seen their role in the financial ecosystem diminished in recent times. As such, there’s now a real need to put banks back at the heart of business, and to do this, we need to offer SMB owners the services that make a real difference in their lives.”

For more information about BankiFi, please visit: https://www.bankifi.com/

Axiom Bank taps Cable’s platform to automate financial crime compliance effectiveness for the bank’s growing fintech program

Axiom Bank taps Cable’s platform to automate financial crime compliance effectiveness for the bank’s growing fintech program

Florida-based Axiom Bank, N.A provides industry-leading BaaS and payment capabilities to partner programs seeking to deploy a wide range of financial products in a seamless, end-to-end management platform. Axiom Bank will leverage automated assurance and oversight processes across its partner programs by integrating with Cable’s complete financial crime compliance effectiveness testing platform, enhancing its ability to offer partners an elegant, nimble experience, while assuring its regulatory compliance.

“We are excited to work with Cable to continue advancing our innovative fintech sponsorship program,” said Aleem Jackson, Senior Vice President, BSA/AML Program Head at Axiom Bank. “We take very seriously our responsibility to ensure our fintech partners maintain their compliance with regulatory requirements and expectations, including applicable financial crime obligations.”

Nigel Prince, Senior Vice President, Partnerships, Ventures, & Delivery at Axiom Bank said, “Integrating with Cable’s platform is fully in line with our vision of being a compliance-led, innovation-focused institution. Cable offers us enhanced visibility across and into each of our fintech programs, enabling us to respond promptly and appropriately to any issues or concerns and ultimately empowering us to move quicker and offer a superior end-to-end experience for our fintech partners.”

Cable’s all-in-one platform offers partner banks more confidence in their compliance with financial crime requirements through a purpose-built suite of tools, including tech-enabled risk assessments, automated assurance, quality assurance, management information, reporting, and more. Cable’s partnership with Axiom Bank comes on the heels of a recent announcement of Cable’s integration with another U.S. partner bank.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Axiom Bank to help build its fintech sponsorship program,” said Natasha Vernier, Cable CEO. “With the bank-fintech regulatory landscape shifting rapidly in recent months, it’s clear that leading partner banks like Axiom Bank set themselves apart with an emphasis on compliance as an integral part of their fintech sponsorship offering. It’s a privilege to work with a community-focused partner bank that also similarly embraces innovation and compliance at its core.”

To learn more about Cable, visit https://cable.tech.

Bank gains greater visibility into customer relationships, helping drive growth

White Clay, a company that helps community and regional financial institutions improve relationships and increase revenue, announced its partnership with Axiom Bank, N.A.

Axiom Bank has plans to partner with fintech companies to accelerate the growth of its core business. Several members of the bank’s management team had previous experience working with White Clay and appreciated the company’s technology and expertise. As a forward-thinking bank, they wanted to continue finding ways to maximize their customer data. White Clay’s solution helps transform the bank’s data into actionable insights, leading to more intuitive decisions.

Michael Coyne, executive vice president and chief information officer of Axiom Bank, said, “White Clay’s solution provides us with greater visibility into customer relationships, which will improve customer experiences. It’s important that we have partners that help us remain resilient and uncover growth opportunities. Equipped with White Clay’s insights, we can support customers and businesses left behind by big banks, as well as influence product and innovation.”

White Clay’s solution also enhances Axiom Bank organization-wide visibility and alignment. Coyne added, “We’ve enjoyed the speed in which the White Clay team works, as well as the level of accuracy their solution provides. Not only are they offering the data, but also the insight and guidance that will help us become a better bank for our customers.”

Scott Earwood, director of community solutions at White Clay, said, “At White Clay, we take a consultative approach to our partnerships and see ourselves as more than a technology provider. Our relationship with Axiom Bank is an example of this; we implemented our solution in 90 days and continue to help shape their data strategy. This is the start of a successful partnership, and we look forward to working with them to bring new capabilities to the community banking space.”

Visit www.whiteclay.com for more information about White Clay.

We've all seen those scary headlines about the stock market crashing or soaring, and it's enough to make anyone nervous about their money. If you're tired of checking your investment account and feeling your stomach drop, CDs might be exactly what you need. They won't make you rich overnight, but they also won't keep you up at night wondering if your savings will still be there tomorrow. For people who just want their money to grow steadily without the drama, CDs are hard to beat.

The Rollercoaster of Market Volatility
The stock market is a roller coaster. One day it's up because of good news, the next day it's down because of something happening halfway around the world or just because investors got spooked about something. As Morgan Stanley’s Dan Hunt puts it, “Big market declines can be unnerving for investors, often triggering emotions of fear and concern, particularly if declines occur unexpectedly or in a very brief period of time.” During a bear market, when the market goes down – which happens about every three and a half years and can drag on for close to a year – you might have to sell at a loss if you suddenly need that money for an emergency or major expense.

That's exactly why so many people want to put at least some of their money somewhere they know it'll be safe.

CDs: A Safe Harbor in Choppy Waters
CDs are pretty straightforward. You put your money in, lock in an interest rate, and know exactly how much you'll have when it's done. It doesn't matter if the stock market is having a great day or a terrible one, your CD will keep earning the same steady return. As Bankrate’s chief financial analyst Greg McBride explains, “CDs can be a safe place to invest your money at a guaranteed rate of return, making them a viable option for adding stability to one's portfolio.”

Key Advantages of CDs for Risk-Averse Investors 

• Guaranteed Returns: Your interest rate is locked in, so you know exactly how much you’ll earn by the end of the term.

• Principal Protection: CDs issued by FDIC-insured banks are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, ensuring you never lose your initial investment, even if the bank fails.

• Predictable Income: Unlike stocks, which fluctuate in value, CDs provide a steady stream of interest income, making financial planning easier.

• Higher Yields Than Savings Accounts: While not as high as stocks overall, CD rates typically surpass regular savings accounts, rewarding you for committing your funds for a set period.

Expert Insights: Why CDs Shine During Uncertainty
Financial advisors will tell you that CDs are more about protecting what you've got rather than aggressively growing wealth. As banking expert Johnson told Nasdaq, “In my opinion, CDs are better vehicles for protecting wealth than for building wealth. The rate of return on CDs is lower than rates typically available on higher-risk alternatives. For example, CDs typically pay a rate of interest below that paid on long-term government bonds. A greater spread would be available from an investment in corporate bonds, but there would also be greater risk.”

Morgan Blackman, wealth coach and founder of Holistic Bucks Coaching, adds, “One of the biggest reasons to use CDs is for security. You don’t have to worry about losing your principal because the money is usually held in an insured account.”

As Investopedia summarizes, “CDs are low-risk, low-return financial vehicles that are best suited for short-term savings and risk-averse investors. Stocks have higher potential returns and higher potential losses. They are suited to long-term investors who can ride out price fluctuations.”

Strategies for Maximizing CD Benefits
One popular approach is CD laddering. You buy multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates instead of putting all your money into just one. That way, you're not stuck if rates go up later, and you still have some money becoming available regularly in case you need it.

The Bottom Line
When the stock market feels like a roller coaster that could wipe out your hard-earned savings overnight, CDs give you something you can actually count on. Sure, you won't get those crazy gains that make headlines during market booms, but if you're someone who sleeps better knowing your money is safe and growing steadily, CDs deserve a spot in your financial plan. As Johnson puts it, “A CD offers a super safe way for your money to earn interest for you completely passively. When you place your funds in a CD, you know that your return will be guaranteed, and you won’t have to worry about stock market fluctuations.”

If you're the type of person who worries about losing money you've worked hard to save, CDs aren't just a backup plan, they're actually a really smart move when nobody knows what the economy will do next.

For people with substantial cash balances, whether you're running a business, managing an organization, or just have a lot of cash to manage, keeping it safe and being able to access it when needed is what matters most. The IntraFi program has become a go-to solution to access multi-million-dollar FDIC insurance coverage while maintaining the convenience of a single banking relationship.

How IntraFi Works
IntraFi lets you deposit more than the standard $250,000 FDIC limit into CDs, checking accounts, or money market accounts. Here's the clever part: They automatically split your money into smaller chunks and spread it across over 3,000 different FDIC-insured banks. Since each piece stays under that $250,000 limit, your entire deposit is protected even if something goes wrong with any of the banks.

This means you don't have to run around opening accounts at a bunch of different banks and trying to keep track of them all. You just work with one bank you trust, and they manage all the behind-the-scenes cash management to make sure your money is fully protected.

Why IntraFi Is a Safe Harbor

1. Multimillion-Dollar FDIC Protection
IntraFi’s core value lies in its ability to provide FDIC insurance for deposits well above the traditional limit. As Investopedia notes, “IntraFi deposits allow large depositors to gain multimillion-dollar FDIC protection on funds above the FDIC's coverage limit.” This is particularly crucial for those who need to preserve cash balances and avoid exposure to market volatility.

2. Simplified Cash Management
Instead of juggling accounts at multiple banks, IntraFi lets you keep everything in one place, which saves you a huge headache. “Customers who use IntraFi deposits are able to keep a single account at one local bank, rather than at many banks across the network,” explains Investopedia. This makes life so much easier for busy executives, finance people, and wealth managers who already have enough on their plates.

3. Endorsements and Industry Trust
The American Bankers Association and state banking groups have given IntraFi their stamp of approval, which says a lot about how trusted it is in the banking world. IntraFi isn't a bank, rather it's a service that connects you to a network of solid, established banks.

4. Security and Peace of Mind
Nobody has ever lost a dime of FDIC-insured money, and the way IntraFi is set up means your money stays protected even if one of the banks in their network runs into trouble. As SmartAsset highlights, “IntraFi is a network of banks that work together to help high-balance savers insure their deposits. This network only includes FDIC-insured banks.”

Expert and Industry Perspectives
Bankers and financial pros who work with IntraFi have nothing but good things to say about how well it works and how they take care of their customers:

“Reciprocal deposits absolutely give us a competitive edge. It levels the playing field by helping us attract and keep large deposits.” — Bank Executive, IntraFi Testimonials

“With the help of [IntraFi] and access they provide to multi-million-dollar FDIC insurance, we’ve been able to build loyal, large-dollar relationships.” — Financial Institution Leader, IntraFi Testimonials

“IntraFi’s customer service is top-notch—they’re proactive, they anticipate our needs, and they do the extra leg-work to make things as seamless for us as possible. I’ve never worked with a more supportive team.” — Community Bank President, IntraFi

The American Bankers Association sees how IntraFi helps out community banks and the people they serve:

“The inventor of reciprocal deposits, IntraFi is a trusted partner chosen by more than 3,000 financial institutions nationwide to help its network participants build stronger customer relationships, fund more loans, earn fee income, and seamlessly manage liquidity.” — American Bankers Association

Conclusion
If you're dealing with serious money, whether personally or for your business, IntraFi gives you the best of all worlds: your money stays safe, everything's easy to manage, and you're working with people you can trust. Getting millions in FDIC coverage while only having to deal with one bank? That's pretty hard to beat in today's complicated financial world. As the pros will tell you, it's not just about keeping your money safe, it's about giving yourself a real edge when you're managing big cash reserves.

When your business needs capital to grow, smooth out cash flow bumps, or jump on new opportunities, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) financing can make all the difference. Sure, the big national banks get all the attention, but don't overlook your local community banks. They bring something to the table that the giants often can't: real relationships, the flexibility to work with you when things get complicated, and people who understand your local market and industry.

Personalized Service and Relationship Banking
At community banks, you're not just another loan application in a stack. The bankers know you, your business, and what you're trying to accomplish. While the big banks have committees in some faraway office making decisions based on spreadsheets, your community banker sits down with you, understands your challenges, and can make things happen because they get the full picture of who you are and where you're headed. As Pat Collins, SVP and Commercial Relationship Manager at Axiom Bank, puts it, “For most small and mid-sized businesses, having a banker who gets to know you makes all the difference. We sit down with you to understand exactly what you're dealing with and what you need, then put together financing that fits your specific situation… something big national banks just can't do.”

This relationship-based approach means community banks can offer more flexible terms and are more likely to work with you through challenges or growth phases.

Faster, Local Decision-Making
When you need to move fast, whether it's grabbing an unexpected opportunity or dealing with a sudden challenge, community banks can keep up with your pace. They don't have layers of red tape and distant decision-makers slowing things down. The people making the call are right there in your market, which means you get answers and funding a lot faster than you would with the big banks. The Independent Community Bankers of America puts it well, “Community banks are often able to provide quicker decisions and more responsive service because they know their customers and the local market.”

The Kansas City Fed found something pretty telling: smaller banks say yes to 85% of loan applications, while the big banks only approve 54%. That's not just a number; it shows how much more willing community banks are to work with local businesses and find ways to make deals happen.

Competitive Rates and Lower Fees
Community banks don't have the massive overhead that big banks do, no fancy headquarters or armies of executives to pay for. That savings gets passed on to you through better interest rates and lower fees. Over the life of your loan, we're talking about real money that stays in your business instead of going to bank overhead.

Deep Local Market Knowledge
Community banks live and breathe in your market. They know what's happening in your industry locally, understand the economic forces affecting your area, and can spot opportunities or challenges before they hit your business. This isn't theoretical knowledge from a corporate research department, it's real, on-the-ground insight that helps them give you advice and products that make sense for your situation. As Biz2x points out, “Community banks have a unique advantage in their deep understanding of the local market and economy. This insight can be a powerful tool in attracting and supporting small businesses.”

Flexibility and Customized Lending Solutions
Community banks can bend the rules to work with your situation. Need a different repayment schedule? Unusual collateral arrangement? Payment terms that match your cash flow cycles? They'll figure out a way to make it work. The big banks are stuck with their cookie-cutter approach. If you don't fit their standard boxes, you're out of luck. But community banks can get creative because they understand that every business is different. Executive Vice President, Joe Nicholson explains it well, “Our deep local connections and understanding of this market mean we can make decisions quickly and come up with banking solutions that actually work for your business, saving you both time and money in the process.”

Community Investment and Support
When you bank with a community bank, your money stays right here in town. Your deposits and loan payments get reinvested in local businesses, job creation, and community projects, not shipped off to corporate headquarters in another state. It's a smart business move because when your community thrives, your business has more customers, better employees, and stronger suppliers. Community banks succeed when you succeed, so you're all pulling in the same direction.

Conclusion
If you're looking for C&I financing, community banks bring something special to the table: they know you, they can move fast when you need them to, they'll work with your unique situation, and they understand your local market inside and out. The thing is, these aren't just banks trying to make a loan and move on. They're genuinely invested in seeing your business succeed because your success is their success. When your community does well, they do well.

CNBC's Beth Braverman puts it perfectly, “Community banks are often more willing to sit down with business owners, understand their needs and work together to find solutions, rather than relying solely on rigid underwriting formulas.”

Going with a community bank for your C&I financing isn't about getting better terms, it's a strategic decision that strengthens both your business and the local economy you depend on.