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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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.

Two WSI-Powered Community Banks Win Big: 2025 WebAwards Honor ChoiceOne Bank & Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company

Websites & Accessibility, WSI News

Two WSI-Powered Community Banks Win Big: 2025 WebAwards Honor ChoiceOne Bank & Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company

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:

WSI Global has been named the Top Agency for 2025 by the Web Marketing Association—a recognition that crowns us as the leading global digital marketing network for the third time. With 12 new WebAwards earned this year, including two for our agency’s work with ChoiceOne Bank and Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, this recognition reinforces WSI’s leadership in delivering creative, high-performing digital marketing and web design solutions not only around the globe, but in the community banking industry. From bold strategy to flawless execution, our award-winning bank website work reflects the strength of our deep industry expertise and commitment—along with the trust our clients place in us to help them thrive online.

Please enjoy this narrated version of our recent article, read by "AI" for your listening pleasure. And, if you'd like to explore AI strategies like this, get in touch!

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As someone who lived and breathed community banking for 15 years, I know firsthand how important it is for banks to make an impact online. Your website isn’t just a digital brochure anymore—it’s often the first (and sometimes only) impression a customer has of your institution. That’s why I’m thrilled to share some exciting news that underscores what’s possible when community banks embrace digital innovation.

Two of our many incredible clients—ChoiceOne Bank in Michigan and Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company in Indiana—have been recognized with 2025 WebAwards from the Web Marketing Association (WMA). These awards are a powerful reminder that community banks can compete—and win—on the global digital stage.

Spotlight Highlights

ChoiceOne Bank - Outstanding Website

The judges said…
“Overall, the design is quite pleasing, with solid navigation and a clear, professional feel that matches the bank’s mission. The site makes excellent use of technology to enhance usability, and forms and calls-to-action are thoughtfully designed and easy to use. The content is friendly and professional, giving customers confidence in the bank’s online experience.”
ChoiceOne Website

VIEW AWARD

Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company - Bank Standard of Excellence

The judges said…
“The home page design stood out for its effective use of color, icons, and layout, creating a strong first impression for visitors. The overall look and usability reflect a thoughtful approach to engaging customers. The site blends modern digital elements with a user experience that reinforces trust—an achievement that makes Springs Valley’s online presence both functional and welcoming.”
Springs Valley Website

VIEW AWARD

These awards are judged by website and digital marketing experts worldwide who evaluate websites based on content, design, ease of use, innovation, interactivity, technology, and alignment with customer needs. Knowing that our work with these banks delivered on all those fronts makes the recognition especially meaningful.

Why This Matters for Community Banking

Community banks are in a unique position. You compete with national players, regional institutions, and fintech startups—all while staying true to your role as trusted, local partners. That’s not an easy balance to strike.

A modern banking website has to:

  • Establish trust instantly with a secure and professional design.
  • Be easy to use and navigate on any device, from mobile phones to desktops.
  • Reflect your brand promise, promote your values, and reinforce your commitment to personal service.
  • Make banking simple, intuitive, and accessible for every customer.

These awards show that ChoiceOne Bank and Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company are leading the way, proving that community banks don’t just keep up—they set the pace for excellence online.

Behind the Wins

While I’m incredibly proud of our WSI team for the role we played, the real credit goes to the banks themselves. Both ChoiceOne and Springs Valley decided to invest in their digital future, and they trusted us to help bring that vision to life. The collaboration, creativity, and commitment from all parties are what made these wins possible.

Embrace Digital. Stay Human. Win Awards.

While these two community bank wins are especially close to my heart, they’re part of a bigger story. Across the WSI global network, we delivered 12 WMA WebAward-winning projects in 2025, spanning industries from finance and education to travel and consumer goods. This combination of creativity, technical know-how, and business strategy is what earned WSI the distinction of being named the Top Agency for 2025 by the Web Marketing Association.

Looking ahead, our commitment is clear: to help community banks and businesses alike embrace digital while staying human. That means building websites and strategies that don’t just look good but actually deliver measurable results and deepen customer trust.

About the Web Marketing Association (WMA)

For the past 28 years, the WMA’s annual WebAward Competition has set the standard for excellence in website development across 88 industries. Independent industry experts judge entries on a scale of zero to ten across seven criteria:

  • Content
  • Copywriting
  • Design
  • Ease of use
  • Innovation
  • Interactivity
  • Technology

The recognition earned by ChoiceOne Bank and Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company shows that when these elements align, community banks can stand tall among the very best.

You can learn more about the Web Marketing Association’s WebAwards here.

Moving Forward Together

Coming off the heels of our 2024 International Franchise Association (IFA) Franchisee of the Year Award and WSI Global Agency of the Year Award, this year’s two WebAwards are further evidence of our commitment to excellence and our ability to deliver at a level beyond other agencies. At WSI, we remain dedicated to helping banks like yours craft digital strategies and experiences that stand out, build trust, and grow relationships.

If your bank is ready to elevate its digital presence, I’d love to start that conversation! Get in touch today and let us put our award-winning capabilities to work for you.
 

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Please enjoy this narrated version of our recent article, read by "AI" for your listening pleasure. And, if you'd like to explore AI strategies like this, get in touch!

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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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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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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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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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