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...

Joining our host Ed Walters this week is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnership 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 intricacies 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...

Stacey Armijo, the Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union, joins our host Drew Megrey to share her path to credit union leadership and discusses how Amplify has made strides to prioritize their member experience, including going fee-free on checking and savings accounts. Discussed in this episode: Diversity in product development and the importance of aligning products with the needs of diverse customer demographics.The strategic move towards fee-free banking, including the...

The new year always brings change, and Leaders in Lending is no exception. Our long-time host, Jeff Keltner, is taking on new opportunities, but he is excited to pass the mic to a wonderful group of new co-hosts for this new era of Leaders in Lending! Moving into the host seat we have 5 co-hosts joining us, all with deep expertise in the current lending climate. Edward Walters, VP account management at Upstart Matt Snow, Head of solutions consulting at Upstart Barry Roach, Senior Account...

Hear how Colony Bank is leading the way in delivering digital solutions to fuel loan growth responsibly, even in uncertain times. Heath Fountain, Chief Executive Officer, and Lenny Bateman, Chief Credit Officer, talk about how they are leveraging technology and additional data to continue to serve their existing customers' borrowing needs and still acquire new customers in today's macro environment. Join us as we discuss: The bank’s strategy to balancing growth, returns and risk in a...

2023 has been a big year for the advancement of AI across all industries. But how have these changes helped community banks scale and improve their lending portfolios? And how has taking that leap to partner with FinTechs been transformative? Bob Fisher, president and CEO of Tioga Bank, is a fifth generation community banker who believes incorporating partnerships to drive innovation is the best path forward for small banks. He joins Jeff to get into the specifics on what has worked (and...

Who would be bold enough to start a bank during a recession? Neil Stevens, President and CEO at Oconee State Bank, and his team were, and he has lessons to share on how the constraints actually helped to build the business. In this episode he reflects on the pivotal moment of launching a new bank during the 2007 recession. The entrepreneurial spirit that fueled this risky move has contributed to the institution's resilience and shaped a strong organizational culture. He also dissects how...

With the right mix of innovation and growth, credit unions can prioritize community, culture, and informed decision-making in serving diverse markets. Corlinda Wooden, SVP/Chief Retail Officer at Unitus Community Credit Union, discusses the development and execution of their comprehensive strategic plan aimed at serving diverse markets. Driven by passionate leadership, their approach emphasizes authentic community engagement. Leveraging data insights, translation services, and strategic...

AI is not inherently intelligent, but do we need our computers and machines to think like us? Some might be reluctant to test the boundaries of Generative AI intelligence, but Peter Voss, CEO & Chief Scientist at Aigo.ai, has spent his career figuring out how to build software that has common sense and can reason. He sees a distinct need in business for cognitive AI to go beyond what a programmer can dictate so that technology is anticipating, and solving, real-world problems...

Is your bank adapting to evolving credit demands? Banks and private lenders have been slow to adopt technology, but with shifting demands for credit products in both consumer and business markets, the imperative to offer a diverse portfolio of lending products is higher than ever. Michael Barnett, Founder and CEO at Loanspark, shares how banks are leveraging automation and the innovative ways technology is streamlining processes and increasing efficiency in the commercial lending...

Your home page highlights your bank’s main points of focus — are you conveying the right message? Whether it be blog posts serving to inform and educate the community or new lines of products available for sale, your customers can get a grasp on what is important to you very quickly. If your homepage creates an incomplete picture of your business, it may be time for a brand refresh. Grace Bruins, Marketing Officer at Horicon Bank, joins the podcast after recently working on a massive brand...

For a community bank to connect with today’s clients and the clients of the future, they must be at the forefront of technology. Darryl Caffee, SVP, Director of Retail Lending at Webster Five found his way into the banking industry through law. His unique perspective and experience have allowed him to take non-traditional approaches to community, business and designing lending solutions. Darryl joins us to share how and why today’s smaller and community banks need to embrace a larger lending...

For so long, new tech has been utilized by fraud artists, costing many unsuspecting victims countless dollars. Now, AI tools and strong fintech partnerships could be used to stop fraud in its tracks. With quickly evolving innovations, financial institutions must be at the forefront of tech. Kyle Hauptman, Vice Chairman at NCUA shares his views on the changes facing the industry and how they can be beneficial for everyone. Join us as we discuss: Adapt or close: staying relevant in today’s...

Commonwealth Credit Union’s partnership with Upstart shows how fintech partnerships can unlock potential in financial institutions. Automation drives innovation, allowing for financial institutions to focus on what matters most: supporting their customers in their journey to stellar financial health. Our guest for this webinar, Jaynel Christensen, Chief Growth Officer at Commonwealth Credit Union, discusses the new opportunities being made available. Join us as we discuss: Innovative...

The rising interest rate environment of the first half of 2023 have many fearful recession is on the horizon, but, simultaneously, there are some indicators that inflation is beginning to subside. Curt Long, Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at NAFCU, shares his expectations for the auto and housing markets as well as key economic signals to watch for, Join us as we discuss: Possible deflation ahead for auto and housingThe Federal Reserve’s approach and the FIA-FITPredictions...

For community banks, scaling a personal loan portfolio profitably without introducing risk is a challenging feat – especially with the added constraint of limited resources. Through fintech partnerships, AI and automation, institutions are able to streamline a vast majority of banks' processes for creating a modern, all digital lending experience, analyzing risk factors and more. Even more, institutions are able to rapidly tailor their products to meet their customers’ needs. With the...

Around 90% of a loan lifecycle and engagement happens in the world of servicing, but no one really talks about it. From getting approved to taking a loan through the final stage of closing an account, servicing matters for customer experience and loyalty, ultimately driving business outcomes. We’re joined by Matt Bivons, Founder & CEO at Canopy — an organization focused on helping lenders be better operators through their easily integrable loan management platform and cutting-edge suite...

From his position as Product Manager at Umpqua Bank, Ben joins us to shed some light on the challenges and benefits of cross-pollinating data and technology, tailoring services to meet unique needs, exploring alternative credit scoring methods and automation, and more. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscapes, finding a sustainable balance between human interaction and digital automation in lending is paramount. Join us as we discuss: Navigating interest rate sensitivity and the...