ABA Partner Network Podcast

Most banks do not realize the clock on their next core decision starts years before renewal. In this episode, ICI Consulting's EVP of Sales, Kevin Mehl, explores how financial institutions can prepare earlier, evaluate the right vendors, and create leverage before entering one of the most important technology decisions they will face. Speakers:  Kevin Mehl, EVP of Sales, ICI Consulting Craig Drive...

This podcast will explore how stablecoins are moving from the crypto periphery into the core of regulated banking and institutional finance. Moderated by Tim Pannell, Kevin Bannerton, R&T's Chief Business Development Officer, will discuss what stablecoins are (and are not), the regulatory and market forces accelerating adoption, and what bank leaders should be thinking about now, from payments and...

Fraudsters are no longer just stealing money — they're impersonating brands and inserting themselves into legitimate customer interactions. As digital engagement increases, so does perceived risk: Everyday touchpoints — calls, texts, notifications — are now treated as potential threats. Speakers: Mick Moss, Sr. Director, Product Management, TransUnion Craig Driver, VP, Partner Network, ABA

Margin momentum has carried financial institutions through the past year—but what happens when that momentum slows? As 2026 commences, bankers face a tightening liquidity environment and the growing challenge of finding the right balance between cost savings and deposit growth.  Speakers:  Joe Kennerson, Managing Director, Darling Consulting Group  Lottie Watts, Senior Director, Partner Network, C...

Regional banks are entering a pivotal stage in modernizing cross border payments as ISO 20022 shifts from implementation to optimization. With richer data, growing expectations for real time transparency, and rapid advancements in blockchain and AI, banks must determine how to enhance efficiency and deliver more seamless global payment experiences. This episode with Convera—highlights the top tren...

Using anonymized data from thousands of compliance questions asked by bankers over the past 90 days, 360factors CEO Carl McCauley reveals the top regulatory topics keeping banks busy, where confusion persists, and what it tells us about the state of compliance in 2026. A data-driven look at what's actually happening on the ground. Speakers: Carl L. McCauley, CEO, 360factors  Tim Pannell, VP, Partn...

Banks have invested heavily in data and technology, yet many still struggle to turn insights into action. In this episode, we explore why the biggest obstacle to data transformation isn't the platform — it's the people. From siloed teams and low data literacy to insights that arrive too late to matter, we break down the human and cultural barriers that prevent data from driving real decisions. Lea...

As financial institutions pursue the promise of generative AI to streamline compliance, enhance reporting, and improve operational efficiency, one challenge consistently emerges: trust. A curated content strategy changes the equation. By limiting an LLM's training and retrieval functions to a validated, domain-specific corpus including federal and state regulations, supervisory guidance, internal...

SignWell Chief Business Officer Bader Hamdan  unpacks a quiet truth in banking tech: sometimes the tools that feel "safe" are actually holding your institution back. From inflated renewal costs with legacy vendors to complex workflows that frustrate teams, Sam shares how the idea of software safety has been warped by brand recognition and inertia.     He offers a practical lens for tech change, fo...

The 2025 PULSE Debit Issuer Study is the 20th edition of the annual report on debit use and issuer performance. Over the last two decades, the debit market has expanded as issuers adapted and evolved to meet consumer demands and regulatory requirements. Speakers: Steve Sievert , Vice President Debit Marketing, Discover Network Craig Driver , VP, ABA

Discover how Allpoint's cash deposit-enabled ATMs are transforming the way financial institutions serve their customers. In this episode, we explore the benefits of enabling deposit functionality—from expanding access and reducing branch dependency to enhancing customer convenience and operational efficiency. Tune in to learn why financial institutions should cash in on this opportunity. Speakers:...

Blend's Intelligent Origination — an AI-powered orchestration layer embedded in Blend's platform that reduces the cost of loan origination, improves speed and accuracy, and redefines how lenders and borrowers experience the lending process.

Contact centers sit at the crossroads of trust and risk—where fraudsters often strike first. In this episode, we explore how banks can strengthen defenses with advanced detection signals, real-time risk scoring, and seamless authentication. Learn how you can safeguard customer trust while minimizing fraud losses. Speakers: Conor White, President, New Initiatives, Daon Jim Hitchcock, VP Fraud Mitig...

SignWell's CEO joins us to discuss why the company continues to invest in enterprise-grade security—even as a more affordable e-signature alternative. We unpack what SOC 2 Type II really means, why most providers skip it, and why compliance shouldn't be reserved for big enterprise customers. Speakers: Sam Wehbe, CEO, SignWell  Lottie Watts, Sr. Director, ABA

SBA lending doesn't stop at closing. This podcast previews key considerations for servicing, monitoring, and maintaining SBA portfolios—with a look at what's ahead in our ABA webinar on SBA loan servicing. Speakers: Chris McClinton, President, Lenders Cooperative Tim Pannell, VP , ABA

A risk free approach to tackling check fraud which is customizable to your organization.

David Baxter, CEO of Solutions by Text, highlights how compliant texting improves payment timeliness, streamlines loan processes, and builds loyalty with Gen Z and millennial customers. Speakers : David Baxter, CEO of Solutions by Text Khalil Garriott, VP, ABA

Community banks can't afford to overlook SBA lending. In this podcast, we preview how institutions can strategically adopt SBA as a growth channel, and what to expect from our upcoming ABA webinar. Lenders Cooperative's SBA Lender Service Provider (LSP) solution—which helps financial institutions strategically adopt and grow SBA lending programs through both expert staff and platform automation. S...

Community and regional banks can extend their commercial servicing reach by leveraging Clip's network of 7,600 commercial cash deposit locations. Commercial customers benefit from unmatched convenience and reduced costs through our innovative, digital-first experience. Speakers: Brian Bailey, President, Clip Craig Driver, VP, ABA

Rivel Banking Research is here to share the latest insights from their nationwide consumer feedback about branding, perception, and, importantly, how your bank can stand out from the crowd when moving into new markets. Learn why it's important to track your brand effectively and tailor it to new audiences. Rivel Banking Research conducts the world's largest banking consumer survey, twice a year. U...

AI has already helped compliance teams automate the drudgery, elevate junior team members' capabilities and impact, reduce friction with marketing and revenue generating operational business units, instantly assess impact of regulatory change at a very granular level, better communicate up and down the organization, automatically revise policies, trainings, and more, and provide instant answers fo...

How LendingClub Connects Banks to Consumer Credit and Understand LendingClub's unique role in the market and why consumer credit belongs in modern bank portfolios. LendingClub is the leading digital marketplace bank in the U.S., connecting borrowers with investors since 2007. Speakers: Ari Schlusselberg , VP, FIG Partnerships and Sales - LendingClub Craig Driver , VP, ABA The information included...

In this episode, the American Bankers Association talks with the team behind LocalPay, a patented Pay-by-Bank platform enabling consumers to pay merchants directly from their bank accounts—without cards or intermediaries. Learn how LocalPay is partnering with core banking providers like Jack Henry, Fiserv, and FIS to streamline merchant acceptance, reduce payment costs, and drive revenue and depos...

With more ways to move money than ever before, financial institutions are scrambling to implement the necessary infrastructure to allow their customers to make payments as quickly as possible, through various payment rails. To recap their investments on these projects, though, organizations should not only be thinking about the direct benefits of real-time money transfers, but where they can creat...

The financial industry is evolving rapidly, and digital assets are a critical piece of the puzzle. From stablecoins to tokenized real-world assets like stocks and bonds, financial institutions must adapt now to stay competitive. This podcast explores the key trends, regulatory developments, and strategic steps banks can take to integrate digital assets into their operations. Speakers: Joanie Xie ,...