In a thought-provoking episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Stephen Baker, CEO at Kinective, for an in-depth conversation on the evolution of digital and physical banking. DeTar and Baker explored the significant impact community financial institutions (FIs) have on their localities and the fear that these critical entities might vanish without technological adaptation and innovation. Baker shared his journey from the tech sector to the banking industry,...

In this enlightening episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Monique Little of First Tech Federal Credit Union and Nate LaMora of Ground Up Coffee Shop. The trio discussed the innovative collaboration between a credit union and a local coffee shop designed to empower students and support community financial institutions. Through this partnership, they’ve created a model that benefits both the community and the participating students, providing them with invaluable...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Brian Kaas, Managing Director at TruStage Ventures, for an insightful discussion on the intersection of fintech investments and community financial partnerships. Drawing from his rich background, Kaas shared his experiences and the significant role that venture capital plays in the innovation and advancement of the banking sector.  The conversation delved into how strategic investments and partnerships are essential for...

In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Sarah Snell Cooke from The Credit Union Connection. They embarked on a discussion about Cooke's transition from journalism to becoming a credit union advocate. Cooke's unique insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry were a focal point. The episode also delved into how credit unions are leveraging digital transformation to enhance member services. Cooke highlighted the critical role of...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, guest Ning Duong, Chief Operating Office of Credit Union West and host Josh DeTar discuss the progressive approach of Credit Union West towards empowering next-generation leadership and prioritizing employee well-being. The discussion revolves around the organization's commitment to nurturing next-generation leaders by prioritizing empathy, flexibility, and support, moving away from traditional leadership models to create positive employee...

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Sanjib Kalita, the Head of Industry for Fintech Meetup, an annual conference that brings together fintechs at all stages of development and financial institutions from across North America and beyond. Kalita shared his extensive experience in the fintech industry, discussing the dynamic interplay between technology and financial services. He reflected on his journey from working at Intel to his current role, highlighting...

In this insightful episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Bill Kennedy, an experienced credit union executive currently at 4Front Credit Union. Kennedy, with over 35 years in the credit union sector, shared his unique journey in the industry. Starting out as a talented golfer hired by a bank to win tournaments, he accidentally discovered his path in credit unions.  The discussion went beyond Kennedy's career trajectory. He delved into the importance of networking and...

In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Dr. Siva Narendra, CEO and co-founder of Tyfone. The episode centered around the digital transformation thought leader Dr. Narendra’s look back on 2023’s biggest moments in banking and technology, and his predictions for 2024 and beyond. DeTar and Narendra discussed the intersections of technology and empathy in banking. His background as a pocket-protector-wearing geek as well as a patent-authoring innovator was...

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomes James Burke-Frazier from Jack Henry, highlighting his genuine passion for credit unions and service. Burke-Frazier, affectionately known as JBF, is celebrated for his authenticity and dedication to finding solutions that align with the core mission of credit unions. His approach to service drives him to seek out the perfect blend of innovation and practicality in the financial sector. Despite not having a background in...

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Sarah Howell, the Head of Partnerships for Infinant. The discussion began on a heartfelt note, addressing the devastating fires in Lahaina and their impact on Sarah's family. The Hawaiian community's resilience and the overwhelming support they received from various quarters, including the banking sector, were discussed. Transitioning to the core topic, Howell dove into the evolving landscape of the banking industry,...

In this enlightening episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Uku Tomikas, a leading expert in the field of financial fraud prevention. They examined the ever-evolving landscape of financial fraud, exploring the ingenious tactics employed by fraudsters in today's digital age. Tomikas shed light on the alarming rise of deepfake technology, which allows scammers to create convincing video impersonations of loved ones or...

In this insightful episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with David Dindi, founder of Atomic Invest. The discussion revolved around the intersection of finance and technology, highlighting the potential for financial institutions, particularly community ones, to create meaningful change in people's lives. Dindi passionately emphasized the role of finance in breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting financial independence, and how...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar sits down with Jin Gwak from AmeriCU Credit Union to dive into the intricacies of modern banking. They discuss the importance of understanding different perspectives within an organization, emphasizing the need for business analysts and committees to bridge various business units. This ensures everyone is on the same page, fostering a cohesive approach to challenges. Jin highlights the significance of humility and empathy in...

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Ryan Canin, CEO of DocFox, to explore the multifaceted world of technology, empathy, and innovation in the banking industry. They discussed the impact of COVID-19 on client relationships, emphasizing the newfound intimacy and connection through virtual meetings. Canin shared insights into breaking down barriers and the importance of open dialogue in the workplace. The conversation took a deeper dive into the...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sits down with Steven Ramirez, CEO at Beyond the Arc, to discuss the future of banking in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The conversation kicks off with a reflection on the traditional banking model, which was largely one-size-fits-all. Steven highlights how digital innovation has disrupted this model, creating a demand for more tailored, intuitive experiences akin to those we see in the retail and entertainment sectors....

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar spoke with Troy Stang, the president and CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association. The takeaway from this conversation is that credit unions need to work hard to change in some ways and work hard to stay the same in other ways. Not surprisingly, Stang called on credit unions to embrace digital transformation. Staying at the forefront of financial technology is paramount for any credit union that hopes to survive in the years...

In this insightful episode of Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar sits down with Mike Lawson, host of CUBroadcast, to delve into the evolving landscape of credit unions. Lawson shares his unique perspective on the industry, highlighting the importance of data analytics in shaping personalized services. He emphasizes that understanding members on an individual level is now more achievable and crucial than ever. The conversation then shifts to the topic of leadership. Lawson discusses the...

The third annual CU Build event was held in Dallas July 28-30, 2023. CU Build is a buildathon (sometimes called a hackathon) for credit unions running Jack Henry’s Symitar core processing platform, as well as invited vendor partners. The event is 100% credit union organized. Prior to the event, Digital Banking Podcast host Josh DeTar had the opportunity to chat with Brad Hickey about the then upcoming event. Hickey is the founder of CU Build, as well as the Manager of Application Development...

The third annual CU Build event was held in Dallas July 28-30, 2023. CU Build is a buildathon (sometimes called a hackathon) for credit unions running Jack Henry’s Symitar core processing platform, as well as invited vendor partners. The event is 100% credit union organized. Prior to the event, Digital Banking Podcast host Josh DeTar had the opportunity to chat with Brad Hickey about the then-upcoming event. Hickey is the founder of CU Build, as well as the Manager of Application Development...

Every organization on the planet is intent on creating a great user experience – the best possible combination of clicks and swipes to make the task at hand as frictionless as possible. However, as technologies like ChatGPT continue to develop, “clicks and swipes” will end up at some fintech museum right next to a 1200-baud modem. Instead, consumers will converse in natural language with virtually everything around them. Instead of a bunch of individual user experiences, consumers will be...

To remain competitive in today’s digital world, community FIs must be nimble. But being nimble isn’t enough if a legacy technology stack creates more obstacles than opportunities. Modernization is imperative, but many FIs lack the tools and the in-house expertise to move the FI forward on the best possible course. In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, Tim Hamilton, the founder, and CEO of Praxent, explained how community FIs should modernize applications to remain relevant against...

More and more organizations are committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices to build a more diverse and just workplace. This is even more important for financial institutions in their outreach to the communities they serve. In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, Shannan Herbert, the EVP of Inclusive Credit at Stratyfy, explained what DEI means and how to implement it in your organization. She and host Josh DeTar discussed how to improve DEI in an...

Digital transformation is a cultural shift more than it is a technological shift. It’s not about the tools; it’s about how the people within your organization use those tools. It’s about creating a culture of constant change and improvement.  In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, Jay Tkachuk, Chief Digital Officer at Golden 1 Credit Union, explained the digital transformation process. He and host Josh DeTar discussed why digital transformation should come top-down and from the...

It seems so simple. Follow a budget. Don’t run up your credit cards. Keep an eye on your credit score. Most importantly, consider the long-term consequences of every financial decision. It’s a recipe for financial success. And yet, most Americans struggle with their finances. In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Sid Ratkiewicz, a behavioral researcher at the Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University, and Matt Iverson-Comelo, CEO and Founder of...