SPOTLIGHT continued from previous page... Beyond the Bank: Cortez Sherrod on Music, Connections,
and Community Banking
What do you enjoy most about serving your community in the branch? It’s the people. Hands down. I love being able to build real relationships and help customers feel heard, supported, and valued. Whether it’s solving a problem or just chatting about their day, those little connections add up to something bigger—and that’s really fulfilling.
Do your customers or coworkers know about your music background, and what’s their reaction when they find out? Some do, and the reactions are always the best. I’ve had coworkers say, “Wait… YOU sing?!” Then they find one of my cover videos or see me perform at a company meeting. It’s a fun way to show a different side of myself, and it always sparks cool conversations.
Both music and banking involve connecting with people in different ways. How do you see similarities between the two? Honestly, they’re more alike than you’d think. Music connects with emotion—banking connects with people’s real-life needs. In both, you have to listen, understand the person in front of you, and create a positive experience. Plus, just like a great song, a great banking experience sticks with people. And if I can make someone feel seen, heard, and supported, whether with a melody or a mortgage, I know I’m doing something right.
2026 ICBA Certification Institutes Dates are subject to change.
March 31-Apr 2 April 14-16 April 21-23 April 27-May 1 May 12-14 & 19-21 June 9-11 August 4-6 August 11-13 August 17-20 August 31-Sept 3 August TBD
Credit Analyst Institue (Livestream) BSA/AML Institute (Livestream) Bank Security Institute (Livestream) Audit Institute (In-person) Compliance Institute (Livestream) Data & Analytics Institute (In-person) Bank Security Institute (In-person) BSA/AML Institute (Livestream) Credit Analyst Institute (In-person) IT Institute (In-person) Commercial Lending Institute (In-person)
Sept 28-30 October 1-2
Enterprise Risk Management Institute (In-person) Auditing IT General Controls Seminar
October 4-9 Oct 6-8 & 13-15 November 3-5
Compliance Institute (In-person) Audit Institute (Livestream) BSA/AML Institute (In-person)
(Livestream)
Event Dates TBD
Consumer Lending Institute (Livestream) Marketing Institute (In-person)
For more detailed information call ICBA Education at 800-422-7285
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