QCBJ Features Laura "Divot" Ekizian's 2026 Outlook
Laura “Divot” Ekizian, President and CEO of Quad City Bank & Trust, was selected by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal to share her outlook for 2026, offering insight into the future of the Quad Cities region, the banking industry, and Quad City Bank & Trust.
In the article, Ekizian reflects on the banking sector’s strong 2025 performance and the lessons learned from navigating early-year economic headwinds. She notes that these challenges underscored the vital role community banks play in supporting small businesses that form the foundation of the local economy.
Ekizian acknowledges that banking remains a highly regulated industry and that 2026 will present new challenges. However, she points to economic forecasts suggesting easing financial pressures and increased stability across many industries.
A central theme of her forecast is the importance of deposits, the “raw materials” of banking. While rates of return have softened slightly from the peaks seen in late 2024 and early 2025, they remain well above the historically low levels experienced during the pandemic years of 2020–2022. She anticipates that banks will continue to explore innovative ways to grow deposits, particularly within business accounts.
With interest rates beginning to stabilize, Ekizian believes 2026 could bring a period of predictability and “calm waters” for both business owners and residents. She also highlights the Quad Cities’ advantage as a mid-sized Midwestern metropolitan area that is often insulated from the sharp economic volatility seen in larger coastal markets.
Ekizian concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued investment in the community and support for nonprofit organizations that serve the region’s most vulnerable populations, helping ensure the Quad Cities remains strong, inclusive, and resilient in the year ahead.
Read more here: 2026: A Look Ahead in Business
