Expert Webinars for Banks and Bankers

Our webinars are designed to provide valuable insights, practical tips, and expert knowledge to help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Check out some of our past webinars below, and if you are interested in a possible webinar collaboration with Eric Cook, we’d love to talk to you about that too!

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Our Webinars

Explore our collection of recorded webinars, where our industry experts dive deep into topics such as online advertising, SEO, social media, content creation, analytics, and emerging technologies like AI. Whether you're looking to enhance your digital presence, build stronger customer relationships, or simply stay informed about the latest trends, our webinars offer something for everyone.

The Future of Banking and Branding: AI and LinkedIn’s Role in Building Trust

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

The Future of Banking and Branding: AI and LinkedIn’s Role in Building Trust

Eric Cook by Eric Cook

Chief Digital Strategist

Contact author Full biography

Full biography

Eric considers himself a “recovering banker” of 15 years, who for the past eleven years has focused his efforts as a digital strategist, helping his clients (mostly community banks) better understand and leverage the power of the Internet as a strategic business tool. An award-winning web designer with WSI, the world’s largest digital agency network, Eric is a two-time contributing author to the best-selling book Digital Minds – 12 Things Every Business Needs to Know About Digital Marketing. Consistently rated in the top five digital marketing books on Amazon, the book is in its second edition and available in three languages.

A sought-after, nationally-recognized speaker in the financial services industry, Eric is a member of the National Speakers Association and loves sharing his knowledge to help educate and inspire others. He is the co-creator of a weekly webinar show called Free Webinar Wednesdays, founder of the Banker Education Series webinar series, and serves as a faculty member at several banking schools around the country where he teaches bankers about digital strategy, online marketing and social media. He is a WSI Certified LinkedIn Professional and holds undergraduate degrees in business administration and psychology. While working full-time as a community banker, Eric earned his MBA and completed the three-year Graduate School of Banking program in Madison, WI in 2003.

Professionally, Eric helps his clients in all areas of digital marketing, which includes mobile-responsive web development, search engine marketing and optimization, social media strategies, e-mail communication, and “big-picture” digital strategic planning. He’s the co-founder of DigitalRCP.com, a service created to help businesses understand their risk when it comes to operating in today’s digital world. When he’s not helping his clients succeed online, he can typically be found on one of his many bicycles training for his next mountain bike/triathlon race or spending time with his wife and two (very spoiled) golden retrievers.

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Summary:

As the financial world evolves, banks and financial professionals must navigate two crucial frontiers: artificial intelligence (AI) and professional branding on LinkedIn. At the recent Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) Bank Technology & Operations Conference, I had the privilege of presenting on both topics, and it became clear—embracing AI and building a personal brand online are no longer optional. They are essential strategies for future success.

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AI in Banking: A Game Changer That’s Here to Stay

First, let’s talk about AI and how it’s fundamentally reshaping how banks operate, interact with customers, and manage risk. But as exciting as these advancements are, the industry faces a significant challenge—banks are still lacking AI policies and very few are providing AI training for employees. This poses not only operational risks but also security concerns. Here are the key takeaways from our discussion on AI in banking:

  • AI is impacting banking structures. The technology is shifting how banks organize their teams and serve customers.
  • Mundane tasks can be automated. AI allows employees to focus on important relationship-building tasks instead of routine work.
  • AI tools like ChatGPT and NotebookLM enhance productivity. These tools help banks analyze complex documents, summarize insights, and even create training resources.
  • The importance of human oversight. AI is powerful, but it can hallucinate (generate false information). Human verification is critical.
  • Cybersecurity concerns. Employees using AI tools without proper training may unknowingly expose sensitive information.
  • AI education as a differentiator. Banks that provide AI learning sessions for customers can build stronger relationships and position themselves as trusted advisors.
Brain AI

One of my favorite insights from the discussion was this: “The AI you’re using today is the worst it will ever be. Tomorrow, it will be better. And the next day, even better.” This exponential growth means banks need to get ahead of the curve—waiting is not an option.

Building Trust and Professional Branding on LinkedIn

While AI transforms how banks function internally, LinkedIn remains a critical platform for building external trust and credibility. Whether you’re a business banker, an executive officer, or a financial marketer, your personal brand on LinkedIn can directly impact your bank’s reputation.

Why LinkedIn Matters for Banking Professionals

  • Trust is currency. People want to do business with those they trust. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile builds credibility.
  • Content is king. Sharing valuable insights—whether about banking trends, AI, or customer service—positions you as a thought leader.
  • Engagement matters. Liking, commenting, and sharing others’ content fosters connections and keeps you top-of-mind.
  • Your profile is your digital handshake. A complete profile with a professional photo, detailed experience, and a compelling summary makes a great first impression.
  • LinkedIn is a networking goldmine. Beyond job hunting, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for business development, partnerships, and industry learning.
Branding on LinkedIn

During the KBA session, I emphasized the importance of authenticity and consistency on LinkedIn. Posting once and disappearing (I call this “posting and ghosting”) won’t cut it—banking professionals must engage regularly to stay relevant.

The Intersection of AI and LinkedIn: A Strategic Advantage

Here’s where things get really exciting: AI and LinkedIn are not separate strategies—they complement each other.

  • AI can streamline LinkedIn content creation. Tools like ChatGPT can help draft posts, summarize industry reports, and even suggest engagement strategies.
  • AI-powered insights can guide networking efforts. AI tools can analyze LinkedIn interactions, helping bankers identify the best connections to nurture.
  • AI-generated data can fuel better conversations. Imagine walking into a LinkedIn chat with real-time insights about industry trends—powered by AI analysis.

Banks that embrace both AI and LinkedIn will have a significant competitive edge in 2025 and beyond.

Robot and woman touching thru laptop

Final Thoughts: The Time to Act Is Now

Both AI and LinkedIn present unparalleled opportunities for banking professionals to enhance their efficiency, credibility, and customer relationships. The key is to start now:

  • Develop an AI policy within your bank and train employees on safe and effective AI usage. 
  • Engage on LinkedIn—optimize your profile, share insights, and participate in industry discussions. 
  • Leverage AI for LinkedIn success—use AI to enhance content, analyze trends, and make strategic connections (but be sure that you keep it human and review everything before you post or share). 
  • Educate your customers—consider hosting AI and LinkedIn training sessions to position your bank as a trusted thought leader.

The future of banking isn’t just about transactions—it’s about trust and transformation. AI will continue to evolve, and LinkedIn will remain a cornerstone for professional branding. The question is: Are you ready to lead the charge? We are here to help - Contact us today!

P.S. If you need some encouragement or help with your personal branding and want to up your LinkedIn game, you should check out our mastermind community, The LinkedBanker. It’s all about helping bankers (and those who love banking) with their online networking and thought leadership efforts. 

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Smarketing in Banking: Aligning Sales and Marketing to Drive Growth and Relationships

On August 21, 2025, Eric Cook and Jack Hubbard explained why market share and wallet share have become more complicated than ever to win. They also revealed one thing many bankers often overlook: mindshare – how to occupy space in the customer’s psyche. A key takeaway was how sales and marketing must eliminate silos to bring these three critical success components to life. Catch the replay to see the full discussion and bring these insights back to your bank!

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Next-Gen Bank Marketing: Social Media in the Age of AI

Check out the replay of our May 29, 2025, webinar! In this session, we teamed up with our friends at Bank Marketing Center to show how AI is changing the game for banks on social media. We covered how your team can use AI tools to create better content faster, boost engagement, and stay consistent across platforms without burning out.

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Engagement vs. Followers - What's driving visibility in today's social media landscape

Check out the replay of our October 30, 2024 webinar as Eric dives into the crucial elements of social media engagement for community banks. You’ll learn how to leverage engagement rates over follower counts effectively to boost your bank's online presence.

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Maximizing Your Bank's Marketing Efforts: Leveraging AI, Smart Mail, and a Holistic Content Strategy Webinar

Watch the replay of our September 5, 2024, webinar where we explored how to elevate your bank's marketing strategy using AI, Smart Mail, and a holistic content approach. We covered the three pillars of content strategy—Owned, Earned, and Paid content—and demonstrated how AI and Smart Mail can revolutionize your marketing efforts.

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Harness the Power of AI In Your Bank's Marketing Strategy Webinar

Discover insights on how banks can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in their marketing efforts. A big thanks to the folks at Bank Marketing Center for including us in their ongoing webinar efforts across all the state banking associations that endorse their platform!

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In the webinar, we explore creative social media content strategies beyond text and demonstrate how easy it is to produce and edit your own videos using the powerful tools that are now available inside the Bank Marketing Center platform.
 

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AI: Your Unfair Advantage Webinar

In a fast-changing business world, the real edge comes from more than keeping pace—it's about gaining an 'unfair' advantage through Artificial Intelligence. Missed moments in leveraging AI could mean missed growth opportunities. Watch this replay as we explore AI's potential and offer practical advice to transform your business.

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Cookieless Strategies to Build Relevancy with Your Digital Ad Efforts Webinar

Check out the replay of our May 14, 2024 webinar and master the art of thriving in a "cookieless" world. You'll learn how WSI can help equip you with cutting-edge strategies that adapt to the future of online advertising and differentiate your bank from the competition!

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Collaborate With Us On a Webinar!

Are you someone who also has a passison for serving the banking industry and loves sharing your story? Do you have valuable insights and knowledge that you would like to share with the banking community? WSI is always looking for industry thought leaders and professionals to collaborate with us on our webinars.

By partnering with WSI, you'll have the opportunity to reach a broader audience of community bank professionals, showcase your expertise, and contribute to the growth and success of the banking industry. Whether you're interested in co-hosting a webinar, presenting on a specific topic, or sharing case studies and success stories, we'd love to hear from you!

If you're interested in collaborating with us on a webinar, please fill out the form. We look forward to creating engaging and informative content together!

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