Aired on January 4, 2026

• Public Banking, Community Building, Efficiency

Public banking means banks are owned by people as opposed to being owned by companies or corporations. When the public owns a local bank, a community bank, the bank is more easily able to understand the unique challenges on the ground and the people needing the funds. Public banks are then able finance local projects and local residents more directly through loans. Public projects help the people by leveraging local dollars as compared to going through Wall Street which requires more people, more paperwork, more fees, more time, and makes the dollars more expensive. Listen in and meet our guest:

Walt McRee has held leadership roles with Public Banking Institute and the public banking movement since its earliest years. In addition to serving as Chair and President (currently and 2015-2017), Board Director, and Senior Advisor, Walt has been centrally involved as co-founder and director of other public banking initiatives including the Pennsylvania Project and Banking On New Jersey. Following an extensive national media career, Walt created, produced and co-hosted radio and TV programs for public banking including, “It’s Our Money with Ellen Brown” on the Progressive Radio Network as well as “Public Bank Solution” TV series. Following his initial period as PBI Chair, Walt founded Public Banking Associates, a national consultancy of public banking experts helping legislators and policy professionals address creation of their own public banks. Walt has also held founding leadership positions in other public interest issues including world hunger, the environment, public broadcasting and the arts. He holds a BA in Philosophy and Geography from Valparaiso University.

“On The Porch” is hosted by Randolph ”Randy” Voller. He is also the publisher of Chatham County Line. Randy welcomes guests to the show who are from the communities of art, academia, business, and politics for friendly and informative conversations. “On The Porch” airs every Sunday at 11:06 AM, and is repeated at 5:06 PM and 8:06 PM on WCHL-FM 97.9. The show also streams on ChapelBoro.com
Current and previous shows of “On The Porch” are posted as on-demand, ad-free podcasts at ChapelBoro.com, Spotify and Apple Podcasts
To be a guest on the show or send us a comment, email: ontheporch@wchl.com