In the worst days of World War II, Winston Churchill advised the British people, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Circular reasoning, maybe, but certainly descriptive of a phenomenon we all have suffered, the business cycle. As we stumble toward the finish line of the current expansion, it is a great time to surf the business cycle and get some tips on what we bankers can be doing to prepare for a downturn.

In this episode of ElevateTALKS, credit risk and commercial banking expert Dev Strischek joins host Michael Delucchi as they try and stay on their feet while “Surfing the Business Cycle.” Is it high tide and high time to go with the flow? How much longer will this expansion go on? What should we bankers be doing to prepare for the slowdown? Find out what we can do to ride the economic waves.

As principal of Devon Risk Advisory Group, Dev Strischek specializes in credit risk and commercial banking management, training, and development. He is a frequent speaker, instructor, advisor, and writer for many different educational groups and associations. In 2016 Dev retired from his role as SVP and senior credit policy officer at SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, where he was responsible for developing, implementing, and administering credit policies for SunTrust’s wholesale lines of business, including commercial, commercial real estate, corporate investment banking, capital markets, business banking and private wealth management.

Listen to Dev discuss lending, flows of a business cycle, what industries are more susceptible and resilient to a downturn, and most importantly what steps bankers should be taking to prepare themselves and their customers for a downturn in the economy.  

Other topics include geographic considerations from a downturn, the impact from the China trade war on the banking sector, and leadership best practices from this seasoned credit professional.