As we close out the year, I’m grateful and excited by what Ressler Consulting accomplished during our first full year in business.
We helped strengthen teams, close gaps in leadership, and helped banks make forward progress despite a persistent talent shortage.
A record year built on partnership
Executive search only works when it’s built on trust, transparency, and follow-through. The placements we made this year happened because clients were willing to:
- Share the real story behind the role (not just the job description)
- Align internally on what “success” looks like in the first 6–12 months
- Move decisively when the right candidate emerged
On our side, we stayed committed to a process that’s simple, consistent, and high-touch because in a tight market, speed matters, but clarity matters more.
16 placements across 4 states
Hiring momentum is real, even with uncertainty in the broader economy.
Banks are still investing in:
- Revenue-producing and relationship-driven talent
- Operational leaders who can scale teams and improve execution
- Risk-aware professionals who can balance growth with discipline
And across the Midwest, we continue to see the same truth: great candidates have options. That means the banks that win talent are the ones that communicate clearly, respect the process, and treat recruiting like a strategic priority.
The talent shortage isn’t easing — and that’s shaping hiring
If there’s one theme that defined this year, it’s this: the talent shortage is still the market.
Qualified candidates are selective. Passive candidates need a compelling reason to engage. And counteroffers remain common.
In practical terms, that means banks that want to hire (and keep) strong talent should be thinking about:
- Speed: Long gaps between steps cost candidates
- Story: Candidates want to know the “why” behind the role and the direction of the bank
- Fit: Skills matter, but culture and leadership alignment close the deal
- Retention: Hiring is only a win if the person thrives long-term
Staying connected to the banking community
One of the highlights of the year was continuing to build relationships and be involved with the Missouri Bankers Association.
We were proud to attend and sponsor two key Missouri Bankers Association events:
- 2025 Annual Convention
- Executive Management Conference
These events are valuable because they deepen relationships through face-to-face connection and provide meaningful insight into what’s happening in the banking industry. They reinforce what we see every day. Community banks are resilient, innovative, and deeply committed to their markets, and the leadership decisions being made now will influence performance for years to come.
Optimism for 2026: hiring will continue
Looking ahead, we’re optimistic about 2026.
Even with a tight labor market, banks will continue hiring because:
- Retirements and succession gaps aren’t slowing down
- Growth goals require the right leaders and producers
- Operational complexity continues to increase
The banks that win in 2026 will be the ones that treat talent as a competitive advantage and invest accordingly.
Thank you
To every client who trusted Ressler Consulting this year: thank you. We don’t take it lightly.
And to every candidate who took a call, explored an opportunity, or made a move: thank you for the professionalism and honesty you brought to the process.
If you’re planning for 2026 whether it’s a key replacement, a growth hire, or simply getting ahead of succession planning we’re always happy to talk through what you’re seeing and share what we’re seeing across the market.
Here’s to continued momentum, strong teams, and a successful year ahead.