OneAccord becomes WBA's exclusive strategic planning partner

By AI, Created 10:05 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – OneAccord has been named the Washington Bankers Association’s exclusive strategic planning referral partner for member banks across Washington state. The deal gives community banks access to OneAccord’s advisory team as they face pressure from technology change, leadership transitions and tougher regulatory demands.

Why it matters: - Washington community banks are dealing with tighter margins for error as technology disruption, customer expectations, leadership transitions and regulatory demands intensify. - The partnership is meant to help WBA member banks stay independent and competitive by improving alignment, decision-making and execution. - The arrangement connects member banks with specialized strategic planning support without forcing them to build that capability in-house.

What happened: - OneAccord announced a strategic partnership with the Washington Bankers Association on May 1, 2026. - The WBA designated OneAccord as the exclusive strategic planning partner for WBA member banks across Washington state. - The partnership gives member banks direct access to OneAccord’s Financial Institutions Practice. - WBA CEO Duncan Taylor said the association chose OneAccord because of its personal, practical approach. - OneAccord CEO Nick Anderson said the partnership is a natural fit because community banks are central to local economies.

The details: - The Washington Bankers Association was founded in 1889 and represents commercial banks and savings institutions in Washington state. - The WBA serves members through advocacy, education and professional development. - OneAccord is a Kirkland-based business advisory and consulting firm. - OneAccord’s Financial Institutions Practice focuses exclusively on community banks and credit unions. - The practice has more than 25 years of advisory experience working with community financial institutions. - OneAccord says it has completed more than 750 client engagements across 27 states. - The practice offers strategic planning and multi-year roadmap development. - It also provides board and executive alignment, leadership development and succession planning, growth strategy and market positioning, organizational effectiveness and execution discipline, and fractional and interim C-suite leadership. - Michael Kadel, managing principal of the Financial Institutions Practice, said community banks need plans leadership teams can align around and execute.

Between the lines: - The WBA is positioning strategic planning as a practical operating tool, not just an annual exercise. - OneAccord is using the partnership to expand its reach with banks that may not have dedicated internal strategy resources. - The focus on execution suggests both organizations see planning discipline as a competitive advantage for smaller institutions.

What’s next: - OneAccord will work with the WBA team to connect member banks with tailored strategic planning support. - Engagements will be shaped around each bank’s size, stage and priorities. - The expected goal is not just a written plan, but stronger organizational capacity to carry it out.

The bottom line: - The partnership gives Washington community banks a direct route to outside strategic planning help at a time when they face more pressure to adapt quickly and execute well. - OneAccord’s announcement