Transforming Banking: OneUnited’s CEO Kevin Cohee on Proactive Relationship Building

Published On : 11/12/2024

Kevin Cohee, OneUnited Bank Chairman & CEO

Kevin Cohee, OneUnited Bank Chairman & CEO

1.How many employees does your company have?

KC: Hundreds

2.How many new clients or customers do you get per month (on average)? 

KC: Thousands

3.Do you currently refer your clients or customers to help them find new strategic referral partners?

KC: OneUnited Bank actively provides references to its customers and strategic partners to expand its network. Building networks, particularly in this technology-driven age, is critical to building the company’s brand and expediting its sales and operational strategies and tactics.

4.How has the significance of networking evolved over the past decades? How do you see the future of networking evolving with the rise of AI, VR, and other technologies?

KC: AI and other emerging technologies will play an increasingly important role in networking. These technologies have the potential to streamline the networking process, making it easier to connect with the right people and build meaningful relationships. However, it’s important to remember that technology can never replace the human touch. Successful networking will always be about building genuine connections and fostering trust. AI can facilitate this process, but making those connections meaningful is up to us. 

At OneUnited Bank, we see AI and technology as tools to empower our team to build meaningful human connections. Technology enables us to identify opportunities for proactive outreach, ensuring we’re always there for our customers when they need us most. But the human touch – the empathetic conversation, the personalized advice – truly strengthens these relationships. Technology enables us to reach further and stay closer, building and nurturing connections at a scale previously unimaginable. This philosophy is embodied in our customer success team, which leverages AI to identify customers who need support so that a person from our team can proactively reach out with a call. This approach reflects a broader shift in the industry towards a more proactive, data-led, and client-centric model of customer success. This approach is critical for building and maintaining strong relationships in an increasingly digital world. By combining AI’s efficiency and convenience with human interaction’s trust and rapport, we deliver a superior customer experience. This model also enables us to scale our relationship-building efforts, fostering deeper connections with more customers and partners. 

The end goal is to create a personalized and proactive banking experience. We want to anticipate our customers’ needs, offer tailored solutions, and guide them every step of the way. By harnessing the power of technology while maintaining our focus on human connection, we’re confident that we can achieve this vision and continue to redefine the future of banking. 

5.Can you share a personal story where one networking interaction led to unexpected doors opening and how it highlights the ripple effect of networking? 

KC: OneUnited Bank partnered with another large U.S. bank to co-brand a financial services product. This enabled both companies to benefit from utilizing OneUnited Bank’s brand to drive relationships and the partner bank’s operational expertise to drive product sales to other large corporations. This ‘door-opening’ experience led OneUnited, the partner bank, and our entire partner network to access expanded opportunities worth billions of dollars. 

6.What are some common networking mistakes people make, and how can they pivot to turn potential missteps into learning experiences?

KC: One of the most common mistakes is not recognizing that mistakes are, ‘in fact,’ common. One of the keys to success is adjusting effectively to the mistakes that will occur in any large-scale enterprise. Of course, it is critical to have a process for identifying mistakes and quickly ratifying them. It is vital to use technology to implement guardrail processes and automated monitoring.

7.How do you see the future of networking evolving with the rise of AI, VR, and other technologies?

KC: The future of networking is a convergence of human connection and technological innovation. At OneUnited Bank we are witnessing the transformative power of virtual communication, allowing OneUnited Bank to connect with customers at an unprecedented scale. Technological advancements have democratized networking, granting access and opportunities to a wider audience, irrespective of geographic location or established networks. AI enables OneUnited Bank to analyze vast amounts of data and provide insights into individual needs and preferences, and furthermore, it empowers OneUnited to pinpoint the ideal individuals to engage with and the optimal timing for outreach. 

Personalized messages, crafted with AI assistance, resonate deeply with each individual, fostering genuine relationships built on trust and understanding. 

In this evolving technical landscape, human touch will continue to be of paramount importance. Building trust, cultivating genuine relationships, and demonstrating empathy will continue to be cornerstones of successful networking, even as technology amplifies our reach and capabilities. The future of networking has never been brighter. It is important for corporations and individuals to embrace these new technologies to strengthen our connections and drive our businesses and personal relationships forward.

Wanda Rich

Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.