FAQs: Working with Saltmarsh's Financial Institution Advisory Team

1/20/2026 - By Josh Strickland, CPA

The financial institution industry has never been more complex. Banks, credit unions, and fintechs face an intricate web of regulatory requirements, operational challenges, and competitive pressures that demand specialized expertise and responsive support. At Saltmarsh, we've built our Financial Institution consulting practice specifically to address these unique demands.

Our team combines decades of experience serving financial institutions nationwide with deep technical knowledge across all critical areas. What sets us apart isn't just our expertise; it's how we deliver it. We've structured our practice around responsiveness, flexibility, and long-term partnership, because we understand that in your industry, timeliness matters and relationships count.

Whether you're a community bank preparing for your next exam, a credit union implementing new compliance requirements, or a fintech navigating banking partnerships, we're here to help you move forward with confidence.

About Our Financial Institution Practice

We don't just serve financial institutions: our professionals live and breathe this industry. Our team includes former bankers, regulators, compliance professionals, and auditors who understand your challenges because they've faced them firsthand. The professionals in our practice have honed their skills over decades of working exclusively with banks and credit unions.

From the required annual BSA Independent test and regulatory compliance consulting to internal audits and strategic advisory support, we offer the full spectrum of services financial institutions need. Our integrated approach means you get consistent expertise across all your compliance and operational needs, delivered by professionals who understand how each piece fits together.

Our programs are built to be more robust and comprehensive than what you'll find elsewhere. We don't just check boxes: we dig deeper into your operations, identify emerging risks, and provide insights that strengthen your institution long-term. 

While we serve institutions across the country, it’s important to us that we always embody the responsiveness and personal attention you'd expect from a trusted advisor. We move quickly, communicate clearly, and stay available when you need us most. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, we've noticed that prospective clients tend to ask similar questions when considering working with our team. Below are the most common questions we hear, along with insights that we hope will help you better understand our approach and what sets us apart. 

Do you work with institutions similar to ours in size and complexity?

Almost certainly. Our team has extensive experience working with financial institutions across the spectrum: from community banks with under $100 million in assets to regional institutions with billions of dollars on the balance sheet. 

Our proposal includes references to similar institutions and projects we've supported; not just in terms of size, but in the specific systems, challenges, and regulatory expectations that define your environment. When we say we understand your institution, it’s because we’ve done this work before—and we can back it up.

How comprehensive are Saltmarsh’s services compared to other firms?

Prospective clients sometimes compare our proposals to what they're currently receiving and wonder about the difference in scope or investment. Our programs are typically much more in-depth and comprehensive than what many other firms offer. 

When we conduct an internal audit or compliance review, we're not just reviewing the policies and procedures related to the area and staying at a high level, rather we are reviewing the policies and procedures as well as holding discussions with the institution’s staff to get a detailed understanding of the institution's operations and compliance program.  Once we obtain an understanding of the program and operations, we then go further and test specific transactions to ensure the Institution is operating in accordance with their established policy and procedures.   You're getting seasoned professionals who dig deeper, ask the right questions, and provide insights that go beyond basic compliance. Our engagements often cover areas that other firms miss entirely, and we include ongoing value like quarterly regulatory updates, performance benchmarking, and invitations to our BankTalk conference.

The goal isn't just to meet regulatory requirements: it's to strengthen your institution's operations and prepare you for what's ahead.

Can you customize the engagement to fit our specific needs and budget?

Absolutely. Some prospective clients assume our proposals are fixed packages that can't be adjusted. The opposite is true: we're highly flexible in how we structure engagements.

We can provide options at different service levels, allowing you to prioritize based on your risk profile and current needs. Maybe you want comprehensive coverage in high-risk areas and a lighter touch in others. Or perhaps you need to phase certain services in and out over time. We’re committed to working with you to build an engagement that makes sense for your institution.

What does your execution process and timeline look like?

We've developed a structured approach that balances thoroughness with efficiency. Our client service timeline clearly outlines what we commit to deliver and when, as well as what we ask of your team to stay on track.

During the planning phase, we work with you to establish communication preferences, frequency of updates, and key contacts. We ask how you want to be communicated with and who needs to be included in different types of discussions. This upfront planning prevents misunderstandings and keeps projects moving smoothly.

Throughout the engagement, you'll have consistent points of contact with our consultants who know your institution and can answer questions quickly. We don't disappear between projects: our team is available year-round for follow-up questions and ongoing support.

What will the day-to-day working relationship look like?

We tailor our approach to how your team works best. Some clients prefer frequent check-ins; others want to be updated at key milestones. Some like detailed written communications; others prefer quick calls. We adapt to your preferences and the needs of your engagement rather than forcing you into rigid processes.

What you can expect is clear communication about what we're doing and what comes next. We explain the "why" behind our recommendations, not just the "what." Our goal is to build institutional knowledge within your team, not create dependency on outside advisors.

We also coordinate carefully with your staff to minimize disruption to daily operations. We know you have a business to run, and we structure our work to support that rather than hinder it.

What questions should we be asking any firm you're considering?

Here are the key questions that will help you evaluate any potential advisor:

  • Experience: How many institutions like ours have you worked with in the past year? Can you provide relevant references? Do your team members have hands-on experience with similar financial institutions to us?
  • Expertise: Do your team members perform all types of reviews or do they focus in a few specific areas?
  • Approach: How do you structure engagements? What does your typical process look like? How do you communicate progress and findings?
  • Depth: What's included in your standard engagement? What additional value do you provide beyond the core deliverable? How comprehensive is your testing and analysis?
  • Flexibility: Can you adjust the scope based on our specific needs and risk profile? What options do you provide at different service levels?
  • Ongoing Support: What happens after the engagement is complete? Are you available for follow-up questions and ongoing consultation?

Don't just focus on price; focus on value and fit. The cheapest option often delivers exactly what you pay for, which may not be what your institution actually needs.

Partner with Saltmarsh for Confident Growth

Working with Saltmarsh means more than just meeting regulatory requirements: it means building a partnership that strengthens your institution for the long term. Our team brings the expertise, responsiveness, and flexibility that financial institutions need to navigate today's complex environment.

Whether you're preparing for an upcoming exam, implementing new compliance requirements, exploring new products and partners, or simply looking for a trusted advisor who understands your business, we're here to help. Contact our Financial Institution Advisory team today to discuss your specific needs and learn how we can support your success.

 

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