Operations Services
Optimal performance is determined by what’s under the hood, and what’s in the tank. Our operational and strategic services make sure you keep running smoothly, powerfully and in the right direction.
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Strategic & Capital Planning
An effective strategic and capital plan can be the difference between success or failure. DD&F can be the catalyst for success by assisting with performance analysis, serving as a facilitator at your planning retreat, leading your organization through the planning process, and developing strategic and capital plan documents. Let us help you craft a plan that results in truly positive changes for your institution and prepares you for what lies ahead.
Integration Management & Systems Migration
Just when the deal closes and you thought the hard part was over….the integration work begins: transitioning to a new organizational structure, consolidating and standardizing operations, rebranding, systems and technology core conversions. Let us guide your management team through the next phase with an integration plan ensuring all the important issues are addressed efficiently, helping you avoid common post-closing delays and costly mistakes.
Systems & Product Implementation Project Management
Keeping pace with the rapidly changing and competitive banking world isn’t easy. You might need a coach to help keep you fit, prepared and in the game. This is where we come in. We work alongside your staff to both plan for, manage and implement needed changes with minimal disruption. Like any good coach, we have proven strategies and processes for strategic plan implementation, regulatory order assistance, project planning and implementation, technology consulting and operational assessments. We take your success seriously, because we know you do too.
Operational Assessment & Process Improvement Program
If you’ve ever wondered if your institution can perform at a higher level, the answer is probably “Yes.” We’ll take a look from top to bottom, inside and out and identify areas for improvement. That means we evaluate your Board and organizational structure, management and staff, operational and technology factors and give you the facts. Then we help you craft and execute a plan for real improvement. Stop wondering and let’s get to work.
Customer Service Improvement
Actions speak louder than words – especially in customer service. Do you know what message you are sending? If your goal is to have every employee embrace a service-minded culture, provide a distinctive customer experience that exceeds expectations and elevates your company above your competitors, then you’ve come to the right place. Let our experts help you make sure your customer experience delivers the perfect message.
Rebranding Consulting & Implementation
What’s in a name? A lot, actually. We know that if you are looking at rebranding, it’s a big deal. You don’t take it lightly and neither do we. Our Strategic Branding Plans and project management provide a concept to creation framework from name selection, logo and brand standards development, launching strategy and vendor selection to coordinating the whole rebranding process, ensuring a timely launch and helping you avoid costly mistakes. We want your brand story to drive your success, not hold you back.
Vendor/System Selection & Contract Negotiation
Are you stuck in a long-term contract that is not in your best interest? Let us help you evaluate the finer points of vendor contracts, negotiating better pricing and terms and potentially saving your bank hundreds of thousands of dollars. We have working relationships with all of the major vendors, and are able to help you with everything from issue resolution, contract evaluation, new contract negotiation, due diligence, vendor relations, budgeting and cost management.
Marketing Consulting
Any good strategic plan should include a marketing strategy addressing things like new market entry, name changes, mergers and acquisitions, post-integration conversions and even regulatory order agreements. We can provide guidance on marketing objectives and critical communications issues, help you identify and implement the right strategies and action plans to stand out from the crowd and keep your customers happy.
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Technology Planning & Consulting
Investment in technology is necessary, but also costly, so it’s important to make sure the money you spend supports your overall corporate goals. DD&F can help you plan for efficient utilization of your IT investment by assessing the following: Core Systems, Items Processing, EFT-Card Interchange, Document Imaging, Online Banking & Cash Management and Platform Systems.
Regulatory & Intervention Consulting
Navigating the world of regulatory agencies can feel like a game of Donkey Kong, with something new thrown at you around every corner. Lucky for you, we spend day in, day out figuring out all the different levels, getting to know the players and learning to anticipate many of the “hot buttons.” We can help you manage your relationship with regulators, address their concerns, prepare for exams, mitigate risks and prepare applications. We’ll help you be the new high scorer.
Director Training
DD&F has developed a highly successful Board of Directors training program that has been approved by various state banking regulators and meets their director training requirements. We facilitate customized planning retreats and training sessions to help directors understand what’s at stake for them and the bank, and we assist with the development of a comprehensive strategic plan.
Staff Development & Training Consulting
Henry Ford said, “The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” This is why DD&F helps you provide training and education opportunities on a variety of relevant topics in various formats, on-site or through webinars and workshops. We customize our services to meet your specific needs.
Basel III Analysis
Compliance with complex capital regulations is an ongoing challenge for community banks. As Basel III rules continue to be fully implemented, let us help you make sense of all the ratios and requirements, assess your capital ratios based on new risk-weightings and determine appropriate steps for your bank to remain in compliance.
Expert Witness & Litigation Support
When insight based on years of experience is called for, we are available to provide litigation support or serve as an expert witness for other professionals and colleagues serving the banking community.