Michael Maeser, Wealth Management Area Leader, Huntington National Bank

In an interview with Invest:, Michael Maeser, Huntington Bank’s wealth management area leader for Minnesota and several other states, discussed the bank’s strategic achievements, its customer-centric approach, regional economic influences, technological innovations, and its priorities amid evolving market dynamics, emphasizing a commitment to growth and community impact.

What have been the major achievements and milestones for Huntington National Bank over the past year?

Huntington has been in business since 1866, but we’ve been here in Minnesota since 2021, when we merged with TCF. We celebrated our three-year anniversary in June, and it has been a whirlwind of change management here. At Huntington, we’ve repositioned our community regional bank model to be more tactical, driving increased followership in that space. A major milestone for us was moving up in the deposit market-share rankings, from fifth to fourth place, which was significant as it showed our progress in the region. From a branding perspective, we’ve successfully positioned ourselves as a full-service commercial bank recognized for contributing to the growth of small to midsize and large corporations across various industries.

Looking at the competitive landscape in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, what makes Huntington stand out in the banking sector?

Our delivery model is highly efficient, and speed to market is critical, which is something our customers greatly value. We provide responsive service with a white-glove approach and a caring attitude. Each banker goes beyond the call of duty to meet all your needs. At Huntington, we’re not just selling products; as financial consultants, we pride ourselves on bringing advice and guidance to all the clients we serve. We focus on understanding where you are today and where you plan to go tomorrow. This commitment to customer-focused banking is what sets us apart in this region and drives our continued success.

How has the regional economic climate influenced the bank’s operations to better serve your clients amid inflation and high interest rates?

We’ve positioned ourselves to capitalize on opportunities for growth, despite the economic climate. Recently, we’ve expanded into new markets in the Carolinas and Texas, which shows our commitment to growth rather than retreating. Providing capital, both to consumers and commercial customers, remains crucial. Being good corporate stewards during these challenging times is important to us, and we’re doubling down on being proactive and supportive partners to our clients, no matter what market and interest rate environment we are in.

In the context of current market trends, which financial products or services have seen the most growth in demand?

We’re observing significant activity in the commercial sector, particularly with business transitions, which seem poised to pick up as soon as interest rates subside. Capstone Partners, a middle-market investment firm owned by Huntington, continues to be busy providing consulting services in this area. On the consumer side, we’ve also been excited to see growth in our wealth management, mortgage and regional banking business groups. Overall, we’re committed to delivering comprehensive banking products and being responsive to market needs and delivering on advice and guidance.

How is Huntington National Bank leveraging technological innovations?

We have a number of initiatives involving various technology tools aimed at enhancing the customer experience — too many to mention, as we always strive to stay ahead of marketplace trends. AI is currently a major focus area, and we’re exploring how it can make our operations more efficient and responsive. We’ve made significant enhancements to our digital banking platform, which has received positive feedback from our clients. Technology is always evolving, and we are committed to continually advancing our capabilities.

What regulatory changes are you seeing that impact the banking sector, and how is Huntington preparing for them?

Last year’s failures of two regional banks led to tighter regulations from the government. At Huntington, we are well prepared, with strong capital ratios and liquidity. We always anticipate potential challenges and are well positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of new regulations that may arise in the near future.

What are some of the impactful community initiatives that Huntington has been involved with recently?

A significant initiative Huntington is invested in is the GroundBreak Coalition. GroundBreak aims to mobilize more than $5 billion in the next decade, largely toward African American communities, which are among the most underserved in our region. Our focus areas include community reinvestment, affordable housing, and support for BIPOC businesses, particularly African American businesses. Last year, GroundBreak announced investments of nearly a billion dollars, helping to drive necessary capital into these areas and working to close the racial gap in the Twin Cities.

What are your top priorities for Huntington over the next couple of years?

Our main focus at Huntington is to continue being a driving force for growth and opportunity in the banking landscape. We aim to build a talent pool that aligns with the demands and needs of our consumers and commercial clients. We are ideally positioned, with 15 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Minnesota, to support cascading businesses and their growth. Additionally, we offer products that assist individuals in purchasing homes or cars, essentially making key life purchases easier. Our goal is to build on our success and become the bank of choice in this region, and so far, it’s proving effective.

What is your outlook for the banking industry in the next few years?

Predicting the precise future of banking is challenging, as last year demonstrated; we always need to be prepared for unexpected changes. In banking, it’s crucial to anticipate as best we can while remaining ready for any curveballs. We focus on navigating potential challenges and maintaining a steady course in service delivery to support growth. We’re also navigating continually changing markets and an election cycle, which requires managing external influences and maintaining focus on controllable factors. My approach involves rallying the team to remain cohesive and resilient. Looking back, the transformation in business and talent we’ve achieved shows our strength in unity. Our “One Huntington” strategy ensures we have strong ambassadors representing Huntington as we provide our clients with the advice and guidance they need to succeed financially.