In the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses across the nation have demonstrated remarkable resilience and ingenuity, adapting to new realities and discovering innovative ways to survive.  On today's episode, host Matt Snow is joined by special guest, Chris Pilkerton, the former head of the Small Business Administration and author of "Plandemic." Chris shares his unique insights from inside the SBA and the White House, detailing how the...

Can credit unions turn economic setbacks into stepping stones for success?  Today, we sit down with Dustin Holmberg, Chief Revenue and Lending Officer at Clearview Federal Credit Union. With $2 billion in assets and a vibrant community of 120,000 members, Clearview is not only surviving but thriving in today’s financial landscape. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of AI, innovative lending strategies, and the critical role of community engagement. Dustin also shares his...

Ultimately, providing the best financial advice or service is all about having the right data in the right place at the right time. This week, host Matt Snow speaks with Chris Gifford, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at USAA Federal Savings Bank, about the evolution of data analytics within the financial industry—as well as the importance of having a strong data foundation. Chris also shares insights on driving innovation through real-world problem-solving, the democratization of data, and...

From having a child to starting a business, every major life decision comes with financial implications—and with those come concerns and challenges. But even concerns come in all different shapes and sizes, so building trust as a bank means having an in-depth and empathetic understanding of the community they’re operating in.  This week, host Matt Snow speaks with Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at KeyBank and CEO at KeyBank Foundation.  Eric delves into the evolving role...

Like many institutions, credit unions can't afford to be left behind in the race to adapt to the new AI-driven technological landscape. But successfully and responsibly leveraging AI goes beyond adopting AI solutions for the sake of checking off a box—it involves identifying opportunities to collaborate with seasoned partners who can help solve the problems that AI is equipped to solve. This week’s episode features a conversation with Upstart Senior Account Managers Barry Roach and Drew...

Things need to change, oftentimes more than we’d like. This week, host Matt Snow is joined by Adam Goller, EVP and Head of Fintech Banking at Cross River Bank, for a conversation about transformation and innovation within fintech in the face of turbulent times and shifting preferences. Adam shares his insights on how smart strategy, rapidly evolving technology, and—most importantly—a willingness to adapt, is resulting in creative solutions for today and tomorrow’s challenges. Join us as we...

Although the US Supreme Court recently upheld the CFPB’s funding system—and removed a major threat to the agency’s ability to regulate financial products and services—the future of financial regulation is far from settled or certain.  On today’s episode, host Matt Snow speaks with Armen Meyer, Co-Founder of the American Fintech Council, about the implications of the CFPB ruling on the financial industry and other regulatory and government institutions. Matt and Armen also explore the growth...

Successful AI integration isn’t just about saving time or cutting costs—it’s about thoughtfully implementing the technology into areas where it can do the most good for the company and the customer. On today’s episode, host Matt Snow speaks with Will Robinson, CEO at Encapture about AI’s application in financial institutions. Will has seen first-hand the challenges of legacy processes and resistance to change, and he shares specific use cases for successful AI implementation—along with the...

When it comes to the tech revolution, it’s not all about the coasts or the biggest cities. Although areas like Silicon Valley continue to dominate the headlines and the public imagination, there’s an undercurrent of tech growth and innovation in “Heartland” and “Rust Belt” areas like Ohio. This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Chris Berry, President and CEO of OhioX, about the vibrant growth of Ohio's tech industry. Chris explains the industry’s historical evolution in the state, its...

In today’s episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Jillian Murrish, CEO of Pier Asset Management, about the waves she and her firm are making in the market — targeting less liquid and underserved areas while focusing on secondary markets and early-stage credit facilities. Jillian shares her journey from working in online real estate to co-founding Pier Asset Management, while offering valuable lessons on flexibility, operational ease, and evolving borrowing bases for early-stage...

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to regulation in the world of financial services. Sometimes it’s a matter of encouraging fintech companies to engage in responsible behaviors—and other times it’s a matter of allowing responsible FinTech companies to continue operating responsibly without regulatory burdens. This week’s host, Lynn Sautter Beal, is joined by Phil Goldfeder, CEO at American Fintech Council, and former New York State Assembly member. Phil has a wealth of experience and...

For financial service professionals, it’s important to meet the needs of their customers and clients. But it’s equally important that they ensure they’re leaving no stone unturned when it comes to harnessing the latest technological solutions that can make their job — and the consumer’s experience — as frictionless as possible. This week, host Matt Snow is joined by Greg Blausey, Senior Director of Banking Industry Solutions & Strategy at Salesforce, and Amir Madjlessi, Managing Director...

On today’s episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Matt Hrna, Senior Vice President at Regions Bank to discuss inflationary pressures and market volatility impacting banks today. Leveraging over a decade of expertise and experience, Matt covers a wide range of challenges and opportunities faced by players throughout the financial industry.  Although economic uncertainty continues to abound, there are systems and practices lenders can take advantage of to mitigate risk while adopting...

For many in the financial industry, it’s not hard to see banks and financial institutions committed to providing services that are both effective AND ethical. But all that work is for nothing if fair and responsible banking practices aren’t carried out successfully. Today, host Lynn Sautter Beal speaks with Lindsay Yousif (Executive Director of Compliance at Ally) and Nick Roesler (Fair and Responsible Banking Officer at U.S. Bank). In their roles as chairs of the CBA’s Fair and Responsible...

This week, host Matt Snow talks with Mike Shepard, Senior VP - Head of Consumer Lending Partnerships at U.S. Bank, about trends, best practices, and concerns within the world of home equity lending. 2022 was a strong year for the industry despite the upward trajectory of interest rates, and homeowners are continuing to leverage home equity for purposes like debt consolidation and home improvement projects. Still, the industry remains in flux — with regulatory developments, consumer sentiment,...

AI is top of mind for most financial services organizations, but the question of, 'where to begin?' remains. Upstart's new AI in Financial Services Professional Certification course is designed to give banking professionals a firm grounding for the potential of AI in financial services —with a particular focus on credit—as well as practical tools to help them begin the journey of applying AI inside their organizations.    This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Jeff Keltner, Startup...

On today’s episode, host Matt Snow is joined by Melinda Zabritski, Sr. Director at Experian Automotive, and Mark Pregman, Head of Credit Operations at USAA. Whether due to rapid technological innovations (like the advent of electric vehicles) or economic factors (everything from lending rates to unemployment), the landscape of auto sales and lending is shifting more rapidly than ever.  With their collective experience and expertise in lending and the auto market, Mark and Melinda are...

To reliably forecast what the future of finance the economy holds, you must be able to assess the current moment. This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal speaks with Joseph Mayans, Chief Economist at Experian, who shares his economic and credit outlook for the year ahead in 2024, along with consumer credit trends and potential risk areas.  Join us as we discuss: Key factors shaping a more optimistic 2024 compared to 2023The dichotomy between a strong economy and labor market with slow credit...

This week, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal and Matt Snow are joined by Kelvin Chen, Senior Executive VP, Head of Policy at the Consumer Bankers Association. Kelvin shares his assessment of the current landscape of financial regulation, innovation, and advocacy. As someone who has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors (including the CFPB), Kelvin has no shortage of expertise and what does (and doesn’t) make for an effective approach to financial regulation that centers the consumer...

With periods of financial collapse and upheaval serving as the catalyst, movers and shakers in the world of digital finance solutions have navigated a host of challenges — all while tending to the concerns of regulators and the needs of consumers alike.   This week, our host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Penny Lee, President and CEO at Financial Technology Association to break down all things fintech and how it intersects with regulatory changes, financial crises, and innovative product...

Joining our host Drew Megrey is Jared Dryer, VP of Consumer Lending and Centralized Deposits at Westerra Credit Union. Jared brings a passion for streamlining processes for employees and consumers alike—and he shares insights from his experience in building and implementing an automated decision engine and rethinking the process for underwriting adaptive auto loans. Discussed in this episode: The challenges of rebuilding a consumer lending programWhat factors influence the loan-to-value...

This week, our host Barry Roach is joined by Nathan Cox, CEO of InRoads Credit Union, to discuss his transition from banking to the world of credit unions, as well as the stakeholder-focused culture and societal impact of credit unions. Nathan’s position and insights have been hard-won, as he’s put no shortage of work into bettering himself—from his days as a walk-on D1 basketball player to an MBA student seeking to address any and all shortcomings. It’s this same level of insightfulness and...

How will responsible data practices and blockchain technology shape the financial technology landscape this year? Join our host, Matt Snow and guest Sanjib Kalita, Head of Industry at Fintech Meetup, as they explore key themes such as data technology, blockchain, and the importance of networking in the industry's evolution. From personal experiences with bad data to the potential of blockchain for data ownership, listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping...

Joining our host Ed Walters this week is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnerships at Finwise Bank, to discuss his trajectory in the financial services sector from Europe to the US. With this multi-cultural background in finance, Simon explains the intricacies of fintech, unraveling the cultural and regulatory differences that shape these distinct markets. Ed and Simon discuss: The pivotal role of adaptability in navigating the evolving landscape of financial servicesInsights into the contrasting...