Frequently Asked Questions

TMClarity is designed to help Community Banks build world-class treasury management departments so that they can attract core deposits, accelerate fee income and delight business customers.

TMClarity will initially offer one program designed for a community bank with a can-do staff and some project management skills to successfully launch a treasury management department. The TMClarity Implementer Program helps community banks self-implement a treasury management department from zero to their “first closed” treasury management deal.

Soon after the Implementer Program launch, the TMClarity Framework™ will go into beta testing with a go-live sometime in Q2 2024.

TMClarity is a service of Malzahn Strategic, LLC a community financial institution consultancy based in Minneapolis, MN.

TMClarity was created for all of the banking professionals across the country who struggle to communicate the value of properly selling TM services to their leadership teams. We find that many, if not most, bankers want to give away TM services or charge very little for them. TM services are a critical part of retaining core deposits and generating fee income.

The TMClarity systems are designed for community banks from about 100 million to 5 billion in assets. The Implementer and Framework systems help our clients become world-class in the selling, supporting, and managing treasury management services.

As with any endeavor, your results will depend on the effort put into treasury management. Clients who are focused and dedicated to the Framework see TM sales quickly ramp, internal conflict about TM services reduces, and happier customers. Clients who choose to self-implement see a fully launched TM department in about a year with a steady sales ramp after that (assuming they opt to go on the Framework).

TMClarity has several programs. Some will be a fixed fee, some are subscription based. Final costs will appear as we release the services.

We define Treasury Management (for Community Banks) as the suite of services designed to help business customers manage cash and risk.

Treasury Management is a suite of services for a community bank’s business customers typically managed by professionals qualified to interact with business customers.

Established Treasury Management departments bill for TM services through Account Analysis Statements and an Earnings Credit Rate Allowance.

We find that many Ag customers do not need the full spectrum of TM services. Only larger operations with well over 100 items per month typically benefit from TM services.

After a Business Checking Account (non-interest bearing), we find ACH Origination and Remote Deposit Capture to be the most popular. After those, Positive Pay is typically the third most popular service.

We find the most successful organizations start with at least one full time banker 100% dedicated to selling TM services. As they grow their TM book of business, additional bankers and dedicated support staff are needed.

YES! Customer service is key to keeping happy customers. It is what sets you apart from your competitors.

It depends on your bank. We find that “solopreneurs” are better served on the retail side of the bank and as they grow their businesses, move them to the business side of the bank. That way, you don’t waste resources on low or negative revenue customers.