Dawn Wotapka

Dawn Wotapka is a communicator who lives for a great story, no matter how it is told. An Army brat who graduated from NC State University and NYU, Dawn covered the housing crash and public companies for The Wall Street Journal. She enjoys running, overnight oats and business books.

Article

In banking, the future is data

Nov 11, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
As institutions rely more on what they know about their customers, they also need to stay connected on a personal level.
Customer Experience

Article

Can tech make lending more inclusive?

Oct 13, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
Use of AI and machine learning to process and underwrite loans promises more access for the underserved, but algorithms alone can’t do the job.
Technology

Article

In banking, bigger is bigger

Sep 1, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
But to get to better, financial services providers must trade their traditional past for a more nimble future.
Consumer Banking

Article

Moving to mobile banking 3.0

Jul 28, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
From partnering with fintechs to developing their own solutions, banks have a variety of options.
Consumer Banking / Digital Banking

Article

Opening closed networks: P2P payment innovation at community banks

May 11, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
A 60-strong coalition of institutions is working together on CHUCK, similar to Zelle but without requiring the sender and receiver to use the same network.
Payments

Article

ESG is a banking trend to watch

Apr 27, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
In a fast-changing world, the financial services industry doesn’t have much choice, but the path forward is still not clearly defined.
Consumer Banking

Article

Blockchain banks on the future

Mar 23, 2022

By Dawn Wotapka
Industry watchers say the technology has the potential to create “massive” disruption in financial services.
Digital Banking / Payments

Article

The near-term future of banking: More regulation

Dec 1, 2021

By Dawn Wotapka
Industry watchers have their eyes on consumers and crypto as prime areas for greater scrutiny and oversight.
Compliance, Regulation & Risk
Mature woman working from home during the quarantine due to Covid-19.

Article

Analytics: The engine driving personalization

Oct 13, 2021

By Dawn Wotapka
As banks look to offer a customized digital experience, they can start by making better use of the customer data they already have in hand.
Consumer Banking / Digital Banking
Mature woman working from home during the quarantine due to Covid-19.

Article

Can banks compete in a digital-lending world?

Aug 18, 2021

By Dawn Wotapka
The first step may be for banks and credit unions to fully accept the industry’s ongoing disruption.
Consumer Banking

Article

Back-office upgrades deliver more than operational efficiency

Jun 30, 2021

By Dawn Wotapka
Banks and credit unions can benefit from a modernized back office as they compete with digital-first institutions and address issues amplified by the pandemic.
Consumer Banking / Digital Banking / Technology

Article

A DEI roadmap for smaller financial institutions

Nov 18, 2020

By Dawn Wotapka
Local banks and credit unions can make meaningful strides in creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive company culture.
Consumer Banking / DEI & ESG / Talent & Workforce Management

Article

Banks to customers: Let’s get personal

Jun 3, 2020

By Dawn Wotapka
The benefits and challenges of true personalization in a digital world.
Consumer Banking / Customer Experience / Technology
Casual Bank Group

Article

Successful change starts with employee involvement

Feb 26, 2020

By Dawn Wotapka
Welcome to another decade, banking. Efficiency needs to top our lists of resolutions: Meaning, institutions must become efficient enough to not only survive a rapidly changing landscape, but also thrive as competition ramps up from both […]
Consumer Banking / Talent & Workforce Management
shutterstock_130099715

Article

Seven ways for bank branches to succeed in a digital world

Oct 21, 2019

By Dawn Wotapka
Not all that long ago—and perhaps it’s still the case in some corners—bank branches were targeted by cost cutters, who viewed physical space as hopelessly outdated in the digital world. But a problem emerged: “You can […]
Consumer Banking
talent and community

Article

Digital transformation, dependable talent: How to recruit A-list staff to win in a tech world

Sep 25, 2019

By Dawn Wotapka
When it comes to filling banking jobs at a time when the national unemployment rate is under 4 percent—less than half of what it hit during the bleak financial crisis—E.J. Kritz suggests playing chicken. Literally. Deep […]
Consumer Banking / Talent & Workforce Management
Revenue Growth

Article

Lend them your ears: How better-listening banks win and keep customers

Feb 26, 2019

By Dawn Wotapka
Refinance your home! Buy a car for a low fixed rate! When they interact with consumers, some banks seem to prefer a one-size-fits-all communications model with a heavy emphasis on product pitch. We get it: Email […]
Customer Experience / Marketing & Sales
Hand Sparkles

Article

Turning on omnichannel: Why banks need to think beyond silos

Nov 26, 2018

By Dawn Wotapka
The e-commerce era pushed many retailers to the brink: Consumers don’t need to go to the store, right? Perhaps. But smart companies survived, thrived and saved themselves by offering consumers as many consistent and seamless options […]
Consumer Banking
Customer Service

Article

Community banks at the crossroads

Oct 9, 2018

By Dawn Wotapka
Where once as boisterous as a superball bouncing in a bank vault, the mergers and acquisitions of community banks are expected to come in flat this year. And in an ironic twist, you could blame the […]
Consumer Banking / Digital Banking