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...

After being robbed three times in two weeks as a teller, David Reiling took quite the interest in bank security. Now serving as the Chief Executive Officer, FinTech Leader, B Corp Advisor and Board Chair at Sunrise Banks, David joined the show to share invaluable expertise gained through years of operational experience ensuring security in every area of banking. Forming fintech partnerships can alleviate a host of difficulties plaguing banks, but banks must also ensure they have proper...

Credit scores determine where people live, where their kids go to school, what they drive and even where they work. Couple that with the fact that nearly half of minority households can not cover an emergency $400 expense. Rodney Hood, Eleventh Chairman and current Board Member of the National Credit Union Administration, made financial equality his mission. Fintech partnerships enable credit unions to extend credit access and provide financial literacy education services, ultimately...

Volatility management is a component of banking that should always be on management’s radar, especially after recent bank collapses. Thoroughly understanding the waves of volatility leads to improved risk management and a strong culture of trust with customers. David Sayers, Chief Financial Officer at Maine Savings, believes by prioritizing internal and external continuous education and improvement, credit unions will optimize and become more trusted by their members. Join us as we...

Banking has been hit with a whirlwind of technologies in recent years. With growing tech stacks that only continue to increase in complexity, it’s important to pick and choose which tech offers the best solutions. Fostering a strong organizational culture that focuses on understanding your customers to provide them with the right technology is key. Matt Pierce, Chief Lending Officer at Leader Bank, joins the podcast to discuss how to create this culture, the importance of close fintech...

Technology is revolutionizing the world. With continuous iterations of tools and processes, people juggle between implementing with careful consideration and jumping head-first into large-scale digital transformation projects. How can banks pragmatically embrace these digital advancements without losing touch with in-person experiences? Ben Udell, SVP Client Experience at Lake Ridge Bank, is the guide to the future of banking, and how to successfully integrate helpful technologies while...

Over the past few weeks, there has been a shift in the nature of risks in the banking world — the federal government playing a significant role in stabilizing. These experiences have highlighted the dynamic nature of risks in finance and banking and the need for a responsive government, ready to take action. On this episode, we’re joined by Kristina Schaefer, General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer & Chief Administrative Officer at First Bank & Trust. We dive into the evolution of...

Last June, the Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule regarding consumer protections. This rule would greatly affect auto dealers, placing greater restrictions and imposing new duties. This week, we sat down with Paul Metrey, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs for the National Automobile Dealers Association to discuss the FTC’s Safeguard Rule going into effect June 9. Join as we discuss: The challenges surrounding the FTC’s proposed ruleHow dealers can comply with these updated...

Consumer credit is a hot topic. With new credit products like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) hitting the market and the always-evolving impacts of credit reporting, banks need to expertly hone their underwriting to strike the optimal balance between business and risk. In this episode, Aaron Rykowski, SVP, Chief Compliance Officer at WesBanco, and Jennifer Ruggiero, SVO - First Line Director at M&T Bank, examine the latest trends in consumer credit and what they mean for your financial...