Digital Banking Podcast

In the latest episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Nichole Williamson, the Chief Strategy Officer at Zilker Media. They explored the significant role of authentic marketing in community financial institutions. Williamson shared her passion for building genuine connections and the importance of integrating community values into marketing strategies.DeTar and Williamson discussed the evolving landscape of community banking, emphasizing the necessity of storytelling and re...

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, emphasizing...

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 real-wor...

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 ...

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 personaliz...

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 exper...

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...

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 h...

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 te...

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, part...

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 acquaintanc...

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 leadership...

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 challeng...

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. Th...

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 ahead.H...

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 changi...

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 a...

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 abl...

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 pu...

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 organi...

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 i...

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 Moneyma...

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar and Austin Adams, retired CIO at JP Morgan Chase, discussed why empathy is more important than feature functionality when community FIs try to take on the megabanks. Adams also shared a little of his knowledge and expertise in driving innovation and superior customer experience in a complex and ever-changing environment.

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Ashish Garg, the founder and CEO of Eltropy. They talked about the importance of community financial institutions in underserved communities, how community FIs can find their niche, and why technology is a powerful ally for financial institutions.

In this crowded marketplace, how can a community financial institution possibly differentiate itself? Better technology is table stakes, because as soon as you add the latest shiny object to your tech stack, every other FI in town will add it, too. In the end, differentiation can only come from better ideas.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, our Josh DeTar welcomed Aaron Wollner, the CMO of Quontic Bank, which is the best online bank according to Forbes. Wollner discussed the imp...

Community financial institutions are no longer competing with just each other. In an increasingly all-digital world, they’re competing with every other app and service that facilitates some sort of financial transaction. If these institutions don’t innovate to stay ahead of the curve, they risk losing relevance – especially with younger generations.In this episode of the The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Benjamin Maxim, Chief of Digital Strategy & Innovation at Michiga...

Many new fintechs started out focused on a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model. They’re not accustomed to many of the technological constraints of the banking industry and, just as important, they’re unfamiliar with the language of the industry. This can lead to break-downs in communication between fintechs and FIs, even though they very much need each other right now.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Lisa Gold Schier, the Chief Strategy Officer at ASA Techno...

Collaboration and cooperation in the face of competition. It’s a concept that both financial institutions and fintechs must embrace to survive. In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar was joined by Danny Payne of Jack Henry. The two discussed how competing fintechs can share a common forum and learn from each other to meet their users' specific needs.Payne and DeTar also discussed digital transformation and the challenges community financial institutions face in approa...

It’s easy to think of banking as a numbers industry. After all, that’s what a dollar is: a numerical representation of buying power. However, as our guest in this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast made clear, banking is really a people industry. It’s people working at financial institutions helping the people who bank there to better their financial lives.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Kareem Refaay, the managing director of The London Institute ...

The reason it’s so hard to define digital transformation is because it means – or should mean – something different to every financial institution. In other words, the finish line may be the same for everyone, but the starting line will always be different. Sometimes simply adding a new layer of technology will work. Other times, you’ll need to step back and consider completely reengineering a process based on the availability of new technology. The key is to always be mindful of your account...

There are many ways for financial institutions to communicate with their accountholders in the digital age. With so many options, it’s easy mistake quantity for quality. Effective communication is still a matter of listening mindfully to the people you serve and intelligently providing them with the information that’s pertinent to them. The only thing that’s changed is how that’s accomplished.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Gregg Hammerman, the CEO of ...

During his 30+ years marketing technology of all sorts, Don MacDonald worked for Intel, Qualcomm, Fiserv, and MX. As a result, the insights he shared on this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast are beyond valuable as they help banking professionals mitigate fear and embrace change. MacDonald shared Andy Grove's philosophy and how it shaped his thinking, the lessons he learned from bees and believes could benefit everyone, and how taking the customer-first approach and providing a pers...

Do financial institutions still need branches? Is digital transformation more of a cultural shift than a technological shift? According to one industry insider, the answer to both questions is no.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Ron Shevlin, the Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors. Shevlin and DeTar explored the world of fintech and tech trends in banking. They also discussed the digital transformation of FIs and what's going on in banking in...

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Brett Wooden, the SVP of Innovation at FTSI. They talked about the benefits of integrating AI into banking technology, the importance of thinking outside the box, and why you need to create a seamless and convenient digital experience for your accountholders. 

Fintechs are no longer the enemy. They’re gradually moving into the role of trusted technology partner. The sooner you recognize and accept that, the better off your financial institution will be.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, ASA founder Landon Glenn and host Josh DeTar discussed digital transformation and the vast number of fintech launches in recent years. They discuss the danger these companies present to traditional FIs, but also the challenges fintechs face when coming ...

Opinions are like … well, you know the saying. And that’s all customer feedback is – opinions. Some feedback is downright transformative, other feed back not so much. However, because it comes from your customers, you must respond to all of it in some measure. The trick is determining the appropriate response for any given feedback. You can’t overreact, but you can’t underreact, either.In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Catherine Ordeman, Head of Banking ...

Traditionally, it’s always been your employees who are responsible for the “front line.” In the wake of digital transformation, has technology taken over responsibility for the front line? The short answer is no. Technology is just a new tool that can help your employees better serve your accountholders. Thus, your employees must be well-versed in the use of that technology. In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar was joined by John Findlay, the CEO of LemonadeLXP...

Each new voice on The Digital Banking Podcast brings with it a fresh perspective that adds to the conversation, and this installment is no different.  In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Dan Black, Strategic Partnerships and Accounts at Boost.ai. The two discussed open banking and the age of conversational AI. They also covered the conversion to digital banking, ways of communicating with users, and the evolution of fraud in financial services.

Are fintechs your financial institution’s enemy or its savior. Or something in between. The correct answer is, all of the above.  In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Don Shafer, the co-founder and chief evangelist at Quilo. Among other things, the two discussed how fintechs generally fall into one of three different “buckets.” They also looked at people's expectations from banking and tech, as well as why you shouldn’t close your branches.

Think you understand cryptocurrency? More important, do you understand what it means to your community financial institution? Probably not as well as this episode’s guest, Lou Grilli, Sr. Innovation Specialist at PSCU. Host Josh DeTar dug deep as Grilli explained crypto and shared how it will revolutionize financial services. 

The core philosophy of credit unions is people helping people and enabling underbanked communities that don't have access to traditional financial institutions. While technology can play an important role in effectively reaching those communities, there will inevitably be some members of the community that don’t have access to modern technology. Therein lies the rub. In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, Kristi Kenworthy, Managing Director of Dora Financial, a CUSO of credit union ...

George Estrada, Principal Strategic Advisor for Credit Unions at AWS, emphasizes that listening to the needs of your accountholders and community members is very important to retain them. In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Estrada and host Josh DeTar considered the relationship between a credit union (CU) and its members. They discussed the importance of user experience, the positive impact of innovative external sources, and how to develop a data strategy that protects your data...

It’s a constant balancing act for community financial institutions. If you use all your software ”out of the box,” you risk looking just like everybody else. If you customize your environment too heavily, you can end up with a support nightmare that none of your vendors can help with.In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Bill Kinnelly, the CEO of KGA Advisory, LLC. They discussed the pitfalls of being on a customization island, the potential problems with develo...

Change is difficult for everyone – for some more than others. Communication – whether to employees or account holders – can make change much more palatable.In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Melissa Kopp got into the need for communication in the corporate world and pointed out the importance of fintech for increasing an FI’s speed to market. She and host Josh DeTar discussed changes in consumer payments, the risks of this process, and fintech's role in all of this.

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Sabeh Samaha, President and CEO of Samaha & Associates. They chatted about what Samaha called “the speed of impulse,” the importance of functionality, beauty, and hospitality in banking, and the future of banking in the metaverse.

A successful product is unique, or at least arguably better than its competitors. However, that in itself is not enough to guarantee success. And a seamless, frictionless, transparent user experience is table stakes today. To win big, you need to humanize the experience and introduce human elements into your product.In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Sarah Sprague Gerber, the Director of Product at MoneyLion. They talked about building trust through...

Tom Shen boasts a long and fabled career in financial technology spanning some 40 years. Some of the companies he’s been associated with, like Software Dynamics and S1, are long forgotten. Others like Digital Insight and Maluzai Software are still fresh in our memories. Today Shen is on the board of two financial technology rising stars: Sensibill and Zsuite Technologies. In short, he can back up his opinions with plenty of experience. In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, Shen...

It’s no secret that tech giants like Amazon and Apple are driving consumer expectations for all digital interactions – including digital interactions with your financial institution. The problem is that many systems still in use at community FIs are still based on what one might call “legacy technology.” Simply stated, they were architected before Amazon was even a glimmer in Jeff Bezos’ eye. This problem is not insurmountable, but it does need to be aggressively addressed. In this episo...

Digital transformation isn’t a project – it’s a never-ending pursuit. What’s more, digital transformation is cultural as much as it is technological. There are no easy answers and there are no shortcuts. In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, Jeff Keltner, the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Upstart, joined host Josh DeTar to discuss the impact of digital transformation on the growth of community FIs. He also explained why failures are as critical as successes and h...

Digital transformation is more than deploying some new technology. Effective digital transformation requires financial institutions to think differently and act differently. This fundamental shift begins at the brand level. While some institutions may see their brand as chiseled in stone, a brand must constantly evolve. That’s truer now more than ever.In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Amy Herbig, founder and CEO of The BA Group. DeTar and Herbig discusse...

By now it should be clear to all community financial institutions that digital transformation is both imperative and a never-ending endeavor. Technology keeps changing, which means that consumer expectations keep changing, which means that FIs must keep changing just to keep up. It’s not easy. In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Jenn Markus, the Director of Technology Partnerships at Glia. two discussed how companies can engage consumers and lead them to s...

It’s impossible to ignore the constant beating of the digital transformation drum. Where many financial institution executives struggle is trying to figure out exactly what digital transformation means and where to start. Our guest on this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast broker digital transformation down to four manageable components: people, technology, data, and processes.In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, we hear this and more from Mark Sievewright, the founder and CEO of ...

There’s general agreement that digital transformation is an imperative for forward-thinking financial institutions. Where there’s not always agreement is in what “digital transformation” actually means. Unfortunately, some FI executives conflate digital transformation with simply buying and deploying new tech products on top of their old tech products. To be clear, digital transformation is not about buying technology; it’s about a paradigm shift in how FIs view themselves and what they do.In...

Community financial institutions are unique in that they have high-touch relationships and services built into their culture. But if they want to keep pace with – or even outpace – the mega banks, they must be willing to use that uniqueness to their benefit and take some risks, too.That was the message from Bryce Deeney, the co-founder and CEO of equipifi. In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar talked to Deeney about the importance of providing an exceptional user exp...

Credit unions nationwide have joined forces to help raise money for kids in hospitals, and their results have been significant. Of course, this is a need that never goes away.In this special episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Nick Coleman, the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). They discussed Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids), the way this mission brings credit unions together, and how CU4Kids became the fifth la...

Today’s credit unions are faced with a balancing act. On one side is the high-touch, member-focused, “people helping people” ethos. On the other side is the need to embrace digital, with all its benefits and all its shortcomings.In this episode of the Digital Banking podcast, host Josh DeTar, welcomed Brian Alfano, the COO of Oregon Community Credit Union. They discussed how core values can guide you in the right direction, why credit unions need to put their members first, and how you can le...

Digital tools are increasingly critical to any community financial; institution’s marketing program. However, with so many options literally at one’s fingertips, it can be difficult to create a cohesive, effective digital marketing strategy. That said, the starting point is always a careful consideration of the institution’s culture.In this episode of the Digital Banking podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Kristin Harrison, the Director of Business Development at Web Strategies. The two discuss...

While most new credit union members are middle-aged men and women, credit unions, like so many other organizations, want to pursue the millennial market. That apparent disconnect creates quite a challenge for growth-minded credit unions.In the latest episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomes Michael Murdoch, the marketing manager at Wauna Credit Union. The two get into what credit unions should do to attract younger members, why credit union executives should include th...

Technology is constantly changing, so what constitutes good due diligence today may not be good enough tomorrow. Many FIs neglect the importance of doing proper due diligence based on current technbology in order to find a vendor that best meets their current and future needs. In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, we heard from Shaun Murray, CEO of Enhanced Software Products, Inc. Shaun and our host Josh DeTar discussed the importance of practicing due diligence when choosing a...

Customers expect perfection from financial institutions. And when money and personal information are at stake, there's nothing unusual about that expectation. But striving for perfection and being perfect are not the same thing. Companies that strive for perfection in banking actually strive for constant improvement. In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, our host Josh DeTar welcomed Joel Morehouse, a Strategic Solutions Project Manager at DaLand CUSO. They got into the concept ...

Credit unions use technology and a personalized approach to ensure the best member experience. Even with this winning combination, it’s still a challenge to stand out in a market where major banks dominate. In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Shannon Ellis-Brock, the COO at Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union. Shannon and Josh discussed why innovation and development are such powerful ideas in their industry, how satisfied employees lead to happy mem...

For financial institutions to evolve and improve member experiences, it’s important to introduce new technologies. However, it’s important to consider new technologies from a strategic perspective as well. Too often, FIs jump to implement the latest new feature. And organizations chase after new “shiny objects” hoping to meet the requirements of members. In the rush, FIs fail to negotiate contracts effectively and potentially cost their organizations millions of dollars during the course...

Geoff Knapp, Chief Growth Officer at Allied Payment Network, argues that community FIs are hanging onto a life ring, fighting for their lives in the golden age of opportunity.In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sits down with Geoff to talk about how younger clients are disrupting the banking industry by opting for megabanks for traditional banking needs because of their digital presence, and choosing fintech for niche services. Geoff says community FIs need to nich...

Our guest, Dion Lisle, bills himself as the Rosetta Stone between FinTechs and Legacy FIs. He says FinTechs and banks operate at different speeds, and like gears, they need a transmission or a translation to be able to work together effectively. In this episode, he talks with host Josh DeTar about some of the current challenges community FIs face and what's at stake if they fail to listen to their customers more closely in the coming years. 

There was a time when most banking business was conducted at the branch. The interaction with the same people week after week made for a warm, personal experience. Thanks to technology, we wait longer to use the ATM so that we don't have to talk to anyone. As a result, that warm, personal experience is at risk of going the way of the dodo bird.Joel Schwartz, Founder and co-CEO of DoubleCheck Solutions LLC, joins our host Josh DeTar to discuss how fintech and digitized banking can actuall...

Shondell Varcianna is a resourceful and creative woman who keeps pace with the latest developments in the world of content marketing. Shondell is the CEO and founder at Varci Media. Her job consists of helping financial institutions succeed with their blog posts and all forms of content marketing. Shondell truly believes in the power of content. She suggests a holistic marketing approach to get in front of ideal customers, whether it is through Facebook Ads, PPC, or Google.In this episod...

In this episode of the Digital Banking podcast, you'll get to hear from Trey Maust, the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Oregon City, Ore.-based Lewis & Clark Bank. Trey brings over 25 years of banking experience to the table, having served as CEO and Director at several leading financial institutions. Josh DeTar, host of the Digital Banking Podcast, and Trey Maust discuss the benefits of community financial institutions (CFIs) and their role in the future of banking. Trey's pass...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar and SVP/VP of Operations Tracey Miller of Pioneer Federal Credit Union discuss a wide range of hot credit union topics. Tracey has a lot of experience in fintech and explains how important it is to be honest with both team members and external partners. Creating stable and sincere relationships can help any business to grow. If the foundation is strong, everyone around you will prosper and achieve their goals.Tracey points o...

Laura Thompson is a retired SVP/CIO at the famous Orange County's Credit Union. She inherited her passion for credit unions from her family, who have been involved with credit unions for decades. For her, credit unions, or careers in general, aren't only about getting promotions and earning more money. They’re about broadening knowledge and fostering mutual respect among members and colleagues, no matter what industry they belong to.According to Laura, knowledge is a never-ending journey that...

Eric Isham is a founder and CEO of OMNICOMMANDER, a company dedicated to helping credit unions grow by using well-thought-out SEO and marketing strategies. Based on his experience with credit unions, Eric claims that they do a terrible job of branding and marketing. How does that affect their overall performance and success?Eric sees marketing as an essential tool for growth. However, marketing is only part of the answer. Credit union executives need to communicate well with their employees, ...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar discusses the impact of digitalization on the financial industry with his guest Brenda DiMuro, Regional Sales Manager at CO-OP Financial Services.Not only do Brenda and her team at CO-OP service at least 50% of credit unions across the country, but they're also currently working to enable Zelle for them. Due to its endorsement/adoption by major banks like Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo, Zelle is rapidly becoming the de facto s...

In this episode of the Digital Banking podcast, Josh DeTar talks to Dennis Griesgraber, Chief Technology Officer at United Educators Credit Union. In this conversation, the two focus on the benefit of small credit unions and the importance of delivering a superior, member-centric experience to the credit union community in our technology-driven society.Dennis speaks about the role of technology in enhancing the member experience. He sees that, even though we are surrounded by technology, memb...

Gideon Taub, founder of Pinkaloo, is on a mission to democratize philanthropy.He says that while there's been a lot of innovation to help charities raise money, there hasn't necessarily been a lot of focus on how donors manage all of their giving. He also says giving has been siloed and isolated and explained why people should be more proactive in their giving. Pinkaloo seeks to change that. Gideon and host Josh DeTar discuss the virtual community and the importance of investing in digit...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar talks with Mark Sommer, COO at $70M ProMedica Federal Credit Union, based in Toledo, Ohio. They discuss actual a wide range of topics in the credit union environment, including the pandemic-driven society surrounded by the power of technology. How can small credit unions leverage technology to improve their services?Mark talks about the advantages and disadvantages of a digital environment, where non-face-to-face contacts affect the r...

In this episode of the Digital Banking podcast, you get to hear from Adrian Quince, Assistant Manager for technology at Redwood Credit Union. RCU is a trusted and community-focused credit union that offers banking services to over 300,000 members. Adrian joins our host Josh DeTar to discuss the power of technology in helping their members achieve their financial goals.What's one of the most significant value propositions that credit unions bring to the table? According to Adrian, it's the per...

In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar features a conversation with guest - Merle van den Akker. Merle is a Behavioural Science Ph.D. student at the Warwick Business School in England. Merle’s motto is “You are never done learning” and she backs this up as a host the Questioning Behaviour podcast and as a blog writer at Money On The Mind. Merle’s inspiration for all of her work are two big questions: “Why do people spend the money they spend, and why don't people make cer...

Tim VanTassel, a VP of analytics software organization FICO, has rich experience in consulting, financial services, and banking. He’s interested in data and applied analytics, which he finds incredibly important in delivering convenient member experience, especially when it comes to credit unions.In the latest episode of Digital Banking Podcast, he introduces the concept of FICO score, which is another brand of credit score widely used by lenders worldwide, but he also mentions other issues f...

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, you’ll hear from John San Filippo, the co-founder of Finopotamus. Finopotamus is a digital magazine for credit unions providing the latest fintech news from the industry. John has been in the credit union industry for over 30 years and has fulfilled a range of roles in different organizations. As a proud co-founder of a credit union blog, John now delivers useful tips and tricks to credit unions and technology companies that service credit union...

Collin Campbell is one of the brightest minds when it comes to implementing strategic initiatives focused on Credit Unions, and he has some interesting points of view that are going to shift the way you see the overall member experience. When Collin started his career, it was in digital. Over the years he has found his place in the finance industry where he works as a strategic advisor for credit unions. In 2019, Collin collaborated with other partners and launched Detalus Strategy. In t...

In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar discusses the development of payment technologies with his guest Mickey Goldwasser, VP of Marketing and Chief of Staff at Payrailz. Having been in the industry since he got out of college, he calls himself a lifelong FinTech. He selflessly shares with us his helpful insights on how to embrace technology and explore artificial intelligence. Mickey's goal at Payrailz is to create a smart payment experience that will satisfy the end cu...

Sahil Pankhaniya and Christian Trummer are two names that you should remember beyond doubt, if you haven't done it already, because of some incredible things that these guys are working on. They're both seniors at the George Washington University, and this is precisely where they first started thinking about Credit Union Initiative. When Sahil first started his studies at the George Washington University, he discovered that his classmates were running credit unions. He also found out tha...

Is it possible to be pandemic-ready before one occurs? It was for Numerica Credit Union. Based in Spokane Valley, Washington, Numerica’s members-first operations had technological solutions in place to build on to better navigate COVID-19’s curveballs — that way, its 150,000 members could worry about one less thing. “Everything we do is all focused on enhancing our member’s lives, helping them fulfill their dreams and building the communities we serve,” says Numerica’s Senior Vice P...

Business Data Incorporated (BDI) customer relationship and sales expert, Brian Orta, discusses credit union (CU) industry learnings from the industry's adaptations and needs exposed during the 2020 coronavirus. Orta talks with Digital Banking Podcast Host, Josh DeTar about the unique challenges and opportunities the COVID-19 pandemic has generated for Credit Unions (CUs) to innovate methods for improving their customer and employee experience.Brian provides perspective on the shared circumsta...

Podcast guest Mike Tierney discusses with host Josh DeTar the contrasts between current and former conventional U.S. American financial institution service offerings and personal finance management practices compared with those in other cultures, such as in the Netherlands.Tierney, participating in the interview via international telecom, discusses current and future creative concepts for the development of live and digital interactive programs for educating children and adults in effective p...

Chances are, you’ve heard of Star One Credit Union. It’s one of Silicon Valley’s largest member-owned financial institutions.And because it’s surrounded by the Facebooks, Googles and Apples of this world, it has more than $10 billion in assets with less than 115,000 members. (Psstt… That’s pretty impressive.) It also has a 90% retention rate, thanks to its efforts to serve its members. (Psstt… Also pretty impressive.)One of the leading forces behind this customer-centric culture is Margarete ...

You might not immediately associate credit unions with fintech startups, but this intersection is Austin Wentzlaff’s passion — so much so he started his own business.As the founder of FinTech Accelerator, Austin works with early-stage startups that provide tech solutions for credit unions. For instance, he’s working with a company called Illuma Labs, a voice-authentication solution built for credit unions. The idea is for credit unions to bypass those annoying security questions and better se...

The abrupt cancellation of in-person industry gatherings has resulted in “a year of lost connections,” says Natasha Chilingerian, Credit Union Times’ Executive Editor.A self-proclaimed grammar nerd who deals with words daily, Natasha has managed the news site’s print magazine and website content for the past five years. Even though she’s worked remotely for seven years, there are plenty of new learning curves to navigate in light of COVID-19 — namely, the inability to connect with a community...

Of the many important lessons the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, don’t overlook this one: Digital marketing and communication strategies are key for any business, even those in the financial services industry.On this episode of the Digital Banking podcast, Prisma Campaign’s Chief Revenue Officer Ianai Urwicz discusses how critical it is for financial institutions to keep up with the ever-evolving marketing landscape.Ianai’s perspective is rich with culture and experience. Though born ...

Credit unions are uniquely able to create intimate relationships with members, especially in rural towns where access to critical resources is limited. A passionate advocate and CEO of CUProdigy, Amber Harsin understands that better than most. She’s committed much of her career to credit unions — she credits working in branch after high school with providing unique opportunities to discover her full potential. Now, she ensures CUProdigy, a core data processor vendor, can help credi...

As the digital space rapidly evolves, can credit unions access technology providers to fortify the journey forward? In the premiere episode of the Digital Banking podcast, host and Tyfone’s VP of Sales and Marketing Josh DeTar welcomes Mitch Rosenbaum and Lisa Mixon from the Credit Union of Colorado.As the credit union's Director of Project Management, Lisa has enjoyed learning everything about the industry over the last 10 years, especially the parts where she gets to connect with peopl...