In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Jim Donnelly, President and CEO of Wayne Bank, shares his unconventional journey into the banking industry and how a chance opportunity through a management training program set him on a path toward a long-term career in financial services. What began with limited exposure to retail banking evolved into a deep interest in commercial lending, where he found fulfillment in helping entrepreneurs and business owners turn ideas into real-world enterprises. He also reflects on Wayne Bank’s deep historical roots, dating back to 1871, and how the institution has continued to serve its communities through major economic disruptions, including the Great Depression, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jim discusses how the bank has navigated periods of industry stress and uncertainty, parti ...