Why Banking Pros Are Embracing Pickleball for Networking

Pickleball is Banking’s Newest Client Networking Tool

Banking and financial firms are organizing pickleball outings over traditional golf excursions. The sport offers an accessible, low-cost, and time-efficient way to foster stronger client relationships and corporate camaraderie.

In Building Client Relationships, Bankers Are Swapping Putters for Paddles 

For generations, golf has been the quiet arena where business got done. Loan deals were sealed between tee boxes, client relationships nurtured over eighteen holes, and the occasional miss-hit forgiven in the name of camaraderie. But in 2025, a new sound is echoing where fairway chatter once ruled: the quick, satisfying thock of a pickleball. 

Across the country, bankers and other professionals are trading golf shoes for court shoes, discovering that pickleball offers the same relationship-building benefits with a faster tempo and far less time commitment. 

Bloomberg noted in 2024 that corporate bookings at pickleball facilities were soaring, with executives citing the game’s lower cost, shorter duration, and universal appeal. For an industry where time is money — and long afternoons on the links are harder to justify — pickleball is proving to be a remarkably efficient networking tool. 

Why Pickleball is the Ideal Client Networking Tool for Financial Firms 

Bankers are drawn to pickleball’s simplicity. A match can fit neatly between client meetings, and unlike golf, no one needs hours of practice to look competent. The Bloomberg coverage noted that a growing number of firms are organizing pickleball outings for their teams or key clients precisely because of that accessibility. One Chicago broker told the outlet that even total newcomers can have fun “in under ten minutes,” a selling point that makes the sport far less intimidating than golf or tennis. 

And the numbers tell a clear story. Pickleball.com reports a surge in demand for corporate bookings, particularly among financial, legal, and professional services firms. For banks looking to engage prospects or reward partners, hosting a one-hour doubles match followed by drinks has become a smart, scalable alternative to the half-day golf excursion. 

How Banks Leverage Pickleball Sponsorships 

The appeal extends well beyond efficiency. Pickleball’s inclusive nature has made it a symbol of modern business culture — a sport where men and women, young and old, novice and athlete can play together. As noted by sports website Inside the Den, the game’s low barrier to entry is helping expand who participates in corporate networking, breaking golf’s traditional mold of exclusivity. 

Some banks are leaning in strategically. CIBC, for instance, became the official commercial and private wealth bank of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. That sponsorship underscores how seriously financial institutions are taking the sport as a platform for client engagement and brand visibility. Meanwhile, firms like Warren Street Wealth Advisors have even partnered with professional pickleball players to connect with younger investors and project a more modern image. 

Pickleball vs. Golf: Comparing Relationship-Building Dynamics 

While golf has always offered long stretches for quiet conversation, pickleball compresses the social dynamic in a different way. Even in doubles, where partners and opponents are separated by a net, the pace of the game keeps everyone actively engaged. Quick rallies, constant movement, and teamwork create a shared energy that accelerates relationship-building. Unlike golf, where players can be physically close but often mentally distant between shots, pickleball fosters a sense of connection through active participation and playful competition. It’s a different kind of closeness that is less about proximity and more about the intensity of interaction. 

Banking on the Court 

The opportunities for relationship-driven bankers are increasingly evident, especially in regions like the Mid-Atlantic, where suburban communities and country clubs are adapting to changing tastes. Pickleball isn’t just a casual pastime; it’s fast becoming a tool for meaningful client engagement. As Fortune reports, the sport’s social, inclusive nature makes it an ideal setting for professionals to connect, network, and build trust. Its low barrier to entry allows bankers to host games with a wide range of clients, from younger executives to mid-career professionals, without worrying about skill gaps or intimidation. 

Some banks are taking a more strategic approach. Jenius Bank, for example, has become the title sponsor of the 2025 Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, a move covered by American Banker. This partnership extends to tournaments organized by Major League Pickleball and the Professional Pickleball Association, positioning the bank as a prominent presence in the pickleball community. 

Jenius Bank president John Rosenfeld emphasizes the overlap between the bank’s target demographic and the pickleball audience, stating, “The typical pickleball player or fan very closely aligns with our target customer set.” This sponsorship not only enhances brand visibility but also fosters direct engagement with potential clients in a dynamic and social setting. 

Pickleball around Banking 

Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech at Travillian, is one of many younger professionals who have embraced the sport both personally and professionally. “I have six text chains on my phone, all filled with different people who play at different times and skill levels,” Love related. “I’ve expanded my social circle nicely just from playing. I’ve also talked to businesspeople and been invited to events, gatherings, and other connection opportunities as a result of those post-game conversations.” 

Concurrently, however, he admits the sport isn’t for everyone. “A lot of the games can get very competitive, which could turn people off,” he adds. “And seemingly everyone has a story about being injured while playing — including me, when I tore my calf and was sidelined for two months.” 

Courting New Relationships 

Pickleball’s appeal lies not only in its accessibility but also in the intensity and energy of shared participation. Unlike golf, where long stretches of quiet can separate players physically and mentally, pickleball keeps everyone actively engaged, fostering authentic connection through collaboration and friendly competition. 

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