Like many in the banking industry, Dave Martin was an accidental banker. After early careers as a radio morning man, marketing director for an oilfield industry supplier, and a stretch working in the finance department of a university research facility, Dave was recruited by a friend to join a bank. Specifically, he was hired to run that institution’s first in-store branch location.

Given more freedom (and less guidance) than most people hired to run a bank branch, Dave quickly learned that banking is a people business. Bank branches, products, and services tend to be (or are perceived to be) rather homogenous. If a bank is going to differentiate itself, it will be through its people – the moving parts of the organization.

With in-store banking in his DNA, Dave also developed strong opinions on the power of small, talented teams and their abilities to outperform the status quo. Dave Martin was preaching the advantages of "Universal Bankers" long before the concept became cool.

Two decades and stints as senior bank executive and trainer/consultant later, Dave's core beliefs about banking remain intact. Banking remains a people business, and organizations with good people win.

Dave Martin has become one of the most prolific writers in the banking industry. His columns and newsletters are read in thousands of financial institutions each month. His keynote presentations, seminars, and podcasts have an authenticity and humor that brings teams of all sizes and seniority levels together.

He is also a member of the guest faculty of the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU.

Dave is a lucky husband and proud dad of two sons and travels out of Houston, Texas.