Caption: The AI Sherpa Podcast with Robert Mitchell and Jack Monson. In the podcast, Jack Monson, Robert Mitchell, and Eric Cook discuss the impact of AI on local community banks, the challenges and opportunities AI presents, and how AI consulting can help banks navigate these changes securely and effectively.

The AI Challenge (and Opportunity) for Community Banks

Unlike large national banks with in-house innovation labs and AI departments, community banks are often navigating AI with limited internal resources. But that doesn’t mean they’re starting from scratch.

As Eric shared, these institutions already hold a goldmine of customer insights. The key is using AI to unlock that value safely. “There are so many community banks that are fearful of this, and rightfully so,” Eric said. “You don’t want to put your customers’ data at risk by rushing into a technology you don’t fully understand.”

Where to Start with AI: Low-Risk, High-Reward Applications

For banks unsure where to begin, Eric recommends starting small and smart. That means identifying use cases that don’t involve sensitive “PII” (personally identifiable information) data and still deliver value, such as:

• Supporting strategic thinking
• Creating customer educational content
• Reviewing vendor documentation or underwriting materials
• Automating compliance-related tasks

The goal in all of this? Freeing up internal teams to spend more time building human relationships and less time buried in repetitive tasks. “What’s not adding value to the personal connection with your customer?” Eric asked. “That’s where AI can step in.”

Future-Proofing with Secure Data Lakes

For those ready to take things further, WSI’s Robert Mitchell outlined an exciting frontier: secure, vectorized data lakes. By organizing siloed banking data into a unified, private system, community banks can begin asking smarter questions, like identifying mortgage holders who don’t yet have a checking account or analyzing lending trends in real time.

It's a powerful next step—but one that requires thoughtful execution. That’s where working with the right partner becomes critical.

Why Banks Need a “Sherpa” for AI

AI is evolving at breakneck speed. Robert put it bluntly: “The knowledge I had last month wouldn’t apply to what’s happening this month.” That constant change, combined with regulatory complexity, makes it essential for banks to work with trusted advisors who understand both the tech and the industry.

Eric compared the moment to the early days of social media in banking: “Even if a bank said, ‘We’re not using social media,’ we still helped them write policies. The same applies to AI.” Simply blocking AI tools on company networks won’t cut it—employees will find workarounds. Proactive education and governance are critical.

Advisory Services That Open Doors

For WSI, helping banks navigate AI isn’t just about staying compliant—it’s about unlocking new relationships. “We have advisory services and conversations going right now with banks that don’t have any relationship with us otherwise,” Eric noted. In other words, AI is becoming a door-opener.

And it’s not just about education anymore. “I’m getting people reaching out saying, ‘I know exactly what I want to do with AI. Can you make it happen?” Robert added. That level of readiness means the time to act is now.

Looking Ahead: Voice AI, Open Models, and Competitive Edge

From open-source alternatives like DeepSeek to near-human voice assistants, the AI space is changing fast, and bringing costs down with it. For community banks, staying competitive means having a guide who understands both the latest tech and the nuances of financial compliance.

If your bank is ready to explore AI safely, strategically, and in a way that supports your mission and customers, contact us. We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence!