Improving Shareholder Liquidity in Community Banks
Guest: Matt Schultheis, Founder of BankVault Research
Podcast Show Notes:
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Topic: Improving Shareholder Liquidity in Community Banks
Our guest is Matt Schultheis, Founder of BankVault Research
On this episode of This Month in Banking, The Kafafian Group welcomes Matt Schultheis, founder of BankVault Research (BVR), a newly launched firm providing independent analysis on micro- and nano-cap banks. Matt discusses why smaller community banks often struggle with shareholder liquidity, how limited trading activity can impact valuation and access to capital, and what practical steps management teams can take to improve market visibility and investor engagement. He also shares how enhanced transparency, better analytics, and technology-driven insights can help unlock liquidity and broaden investor interest in the smallest corners of the U.S. banking sector. Listen and enjoy!
Biography
Matthew C. Schultheis, CFA is the Founder and Architect of BankVault Research, LLC, a financial research firm based in York, Pennsylvania. With 25 years of experience in financial analysis, equity research, investment banking, and regulatory compliance, Matt is recognized for his strategic vision and deep expertise in the banking sector.
Prior to founding BankVault Research, LLC in 2025, Matt held senior leadership roles at several prominent financial institutions. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at PNC FIG Advisory, where he expanded the firm’s market visibility and capabilities, guided industry analysis, and helped raise $365 million in equity capital for banks from institutional investors. His work included developing proprietary models for liquidity management, balance sheet restructuring, and regulatory capital analysis, as well as supporting strategic initiatives for community and regional banks nationwide.
Previously, Matt was Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Planning & Investor Relations at Orrstown Financial Services, Inc., where he led strategic planning and, investor relations. He developed acquisition screening models, enhanced shareholder engagement, and played a key role in improving “say-on-pay” voting surrounding executive compensation.
Earlier in his career, Matt was Director of Equity Research at Boenning & Scattergood, Inc., where he covered banks, and managed the full research team. He was also a sell-side equity analyst at Ferris, Baker watts, Inc. focused on Mid-Atlantic banks, property REITS, and specialty finance companies. At Allfirst Financial, Inc., and York Financial Corp., his work focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital management, and risk analysis.
Matt earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He has been recognized as one of the top bank analysts in the industry, including a ranking as the number two bank analyst in the Wall Street Journal’s “Best of the Street Analysts Survey.”
In August 2025, Matt launched BankVault Research, LLC to provide innovative research and proprietary analytics to financial institutions and their investors, leveraging his extensive experience and industry network.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Matt enjoys hiking, cooking, and traveling.
Relevant Links:
Matthew Schultheis
This podcast episode relates to The Kafafian Group’s Profit & Process Improvement, Strategic Management and Financial Advisory services.
Watch for episode 119 of This Month in Banking to be released on Wednesday, November 26th, 2025, and a new episode on the last Wednesday of every month.
Thank you for listening!