Management
Matthew R. Earl
Managing Partner and Principal
Mr. Earl has held management level positions in organizations ranging from community banks to super regional bank holding companies and an Internationally recognized accounting firm. He has 20+ years’ experience in commercial, consumer and mortgage lending, loan review, credit administration, regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management. He has also spent extensive time performing due diligence on both acquiring and to be acquired entities for banks and leasing companies. Mr. Earl has developed and implemented systems that both monitor credit risk and provide strategic methodologies, policies and procedures for credit, lending and control standards, process flow and tracking mechanisms. Mr. Earl specializes in loan review programs, risk rating systems, problem bank resolution, allowance for loan loss methodology, model validation and stress testing. He has also developed a solution for CRE Stress testing that has been implemented at both Banks and Credit Unions nationally. Mr. Earl currently consults on a national level for Banks and Credit Unions of all sizes, in all areas of credit risk and has provided ready solutions for his clients. Mr. Earl serves as a faculty member of The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking and is a speaker for The Assembly for Bank Directors and other national conferences / seminars.
Joseph D. Pianalto
Senior Partner and Principal
Mr. Pianalto has 15+ years’ experience in risk management, credit administration, and loan review. Mr. Pianalto began his career as a Credit Risk Analyst for a large community bank and was responsible for leading reviews on all segments of the bank’s loan portfolio including: agricultural, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction, mortgage, and consumer loans. Mr. Pianalto gained further experience with a national bank as a Credit Review Specialist. In addition to specializing in credit analysis and risk assessment, he provided lender support and training for Review Specialists. Mr. Pianalto is currently a consultant to the financial services industry where he specializes in agricultural credit reviews within the Farm Credit System primarily focused on assessment of credit quality, risk rating accuracy, credit administration processes and documentation, loan portfolio management, and compliance with Farm Credit Administration Regulations and prudent lending practices.
Cory Browell
Partner
Mr. Browell has over 28 years of diversified Banking and Consulting experience, he began his career as a commercial credit analyst at National City Bank ultimately progressing to Middle Market lending at a large National Bank. His experience also includes several years with a Big 4 accounting firm. Cory has been a vital member of the RWG team for over twelve (12) years. As a Partner at RWG he is responsible for leading consulting projects for Banks and Credit Unions ranging in size from $100MM in assets to over $10 billion in assets. Additional responsibilities include presenting consulting project findings to directors’ loan and audit committee, opine on complex regulatory issues impacting clients, review client’s policies and procedures to provide recommendations, assess and enhance client’s portfolio management reporting and risk assessments and offer expertise and guidance to lending personnel resulting in overall improvement of lending practices and credit administration.
Merrill J. Reynolds
Partner Emeritus and Original Co-Founder
A graduate of Southern Methodist University and The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, Mr. Reynolds began his career as a bank examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. A 30+ year banking veteran, he has worked for both community and multi-bank holding companies in various lending and managerial capacities. Prior to beginning his consulting career, Mr. Reynolds served as Senior Vice President and Business Banking Manager for Wells Fargo, N.A. in New Braunfels, Texas. Mr. Reynolds founded Reynolds Williams Group in 1999 as a consulting firm designed to provide services to commercial and savings financial institutions and credit unions nationwide. Reynolds Williams Group serves clients of all sizes, from small community banks to large regional banks, offering credit-related assistance in many areas of banking, including loan review and due diligence, credit related training, policy development, management and efficiency studies, and assistance in complying with regulatory directives. Mr. Reynolds serves as an instructor for multiple state and national banking organizations, and was instrumental in the design of the only accredited certification course for loan review professionals. Mr. Reynolds serves as a faculty member of The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking and is a regular speaker for The Assembly for Bank Directors and numerous national conferences and seminars.