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Transformative Outcomes

Through strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and personalized support, Cornerstone Advisors has enabled our clients to achieve remarkable successes, navigate complex challenges, optimize processes, and seize opportunities for growth. From negotiating vendor contracts to streamlining operations after a merger, our comprehensive approach ensures tangible results and savings for banks and credit unions.

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Featured Case Study

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Saved the bank $6.5 million through contract negotiations. Detailed preparation and planning enabled swift execution, a reduced risk profile, and faster value creation post-acquisition despite regulatory delays. Maintained seamless customer satisfaction and operational efficiency throughout the transition.

 

Solution: Mergers & Acquisitions/Contract Negotiation

 

Sunflower Bank recognized the need to mitigate any potential impact on both customers and staff due to the increased complexity and potential disruptions. With a goal to minimize these risks and ensure a seamless integration, the bank sought a partner who could bring industry expertise to the conversion process.

Cornerstone's Smarter Banker Profiles

Learn from Industry Leaders, Innovators and Troublemakers

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Tom Shen

Entrepreneur. Board Member. CEO.

“A leader’s role can be the loneliest. They serve customers, they serve teammates, they serve shareholders. I subscribe to a school of leadership called servant leadership, and it’s simply defined this way: The best leaders are servants at heart. The starting point of my mentorship is humility.”

 

Shen has a perspective that most in fintech don’t. He’s been in the industry for 40 years, including creating branch banking software that he sold to S1 Corp. In 2018, Finastra acquired Malauzai. He’s also worked at Digital Insight and served as a Board Member at Q2. Now, he sits on six boards, advising companies on their products and business plans, investing in early-stage fintech companies and attending fintech events with an important friend: a striking pup.

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Neil Underwood

Banker. Investor. Entrepreneur.

“In venture capital, we get pitched all the time. As a bank executive, you get pitched all the time. It’s really hard to find the absolute truth.”

 

Over his career, Underwood has worn a variety of hats: he’s been a banker, a fintech executive, and now, an investor. In all these roles, Underwood has hired Cornerstone Advisors — not only to provide more intel for the bank, but for engagements for other companies he’s co-founded like Apiture (digital banking system), Finxact (core banking), and most recently, Canapi Ventures, a private equity firm that invests in software companies that aim to help banks operate more efficiently.

Hear From Clients On How We Transformed Their Financial Institution

Testimonials from Cornerstone Advisors’ Clients

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First Merchants Banks

Mark Hardwick

CEO

"Cornerstone facilitated our strategic planning process involving the Board and Senior management team. Through the process, we were able to build enthusiasm and momentum around our revised Mission Statement and operating model. Working with Cornerstone Advisors has been a home run."

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South State Bank

Renee Brooks

CEO

"We contacted Cornerstone Advisors following a merger of equals (MoE) announcement. It was critical to go through an expedited core selection and find synergies that aligned with the MoE related to our top vendors. Cornerstone was immediately available and delivered the results we were looking to achieve."

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SESLOC Federal Credit Union

Ken Long

SVP, CIO

"Cornerstone has helped us with some significant new and renewed vendor relationships in card processing, core processing, and digital banking. Their knowledge of the marketplace and their expertise in contract negotiation were quite valuable in helping us make informed decisions. It was a pleasure to work with Cornerstone!"

 

Additional Resources