Ahead of the Curve: A Banker's Podcast

Know the red flags of human trafficking With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the news, public safety agencies, anti-trafficking task forces, advocacy organizations, and media outlets are raising concerns about the potential for increased human trafficking activity surrounding a major international sporting event. Human trafficking remains a persistent danger in communities around the world, and is ofte...

As AI adoption accelerates across financial services, banks and credit unions face a critical challenge: how to innovate without compromising trust, transparency, or regulatory compliance. In this episode of Ahead of the Curve , we sit down with Danny Piangerelli, Chief Technology Officer at Abrigo, to explore how Abrigo is building and scaling AI responsibly within highly regulated environments....

As sanctions risk intensifies and regulatory expectations grow more complex, financial institutions are under increasing pressure to strengthen and defend their compliance programs. In this episode of Ahead of the Curve , we sit down with Greg Pinn of Abrigo and Sarabjeet Singh, Founder and CEO of RZOLUT, to explore how data quality, risk visibility, and AI are reshaping financial crime compliance...

For the last episode of 2025, get to know Abrigo's CTO, Ravi Nemalikanti, as he talks about his AI philosophy at Amazon's AWS Re:Invent conference. Listen in to learn about the metrics Abrigo considers when making decisions about machine learning in its solutions, ensuring that those decisions support community banks and credit unions.  About the guest:  Ravi Nemalikanti is Abrigo’s Chie...

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we sit down with Gary Fan, Chief Operating Officer at Royal Business Bank, to unpack what real innovation looks like inside a modern community bank. With experience spanning fintech, global institutions, and community banking, Gary brings a rare perspective on how regional banks can move faster, differentiate smarter, and still stay grounded in sound risk man...

This episode's guest is author, speaker, and "patron saint of crazy ideas" Kyle Scheele. Listen in as he makes the case that creativity at financial institutions isn’t confined to marketing teams—it’s simply problem-solving, and it belongs to everyone at your organization. He shares why “culture eats strategy,” explains the importance of making space for innovation in a traditional...

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the topic of real-time payments, specifically the introduction of Stablecoin. In this conversation, we will discuss Definitions and differences of RTP vs Stablecoin Benefits and risks associated with both Regulatory concerns What financial institutions need to do to prepare for the more general adoption of this type of technology We hope you enjoy the podcas...

Sadly, extortion and sexual exploitation are nothing new to the world, but today, we discuss a new twist to these old crimes. Learn how criminal organizations are preying on the younger generation and ways you can identify these crimes. Our moderator, Terri Luttrell, will steer the conversation with Alison Jimenez, our expert, to provide everyone with a working knowledge of these crimes.

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we discuss the ripple effects of global trade, regulatory shifts, and advancing fraud threats with Duncan Taylor , SVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Washington Bankers Association . Tune in as we explore: How tariffs and international trade tensions are impacting regional and agricultural banks What community banks should know about regulatory rollbacks...

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, you'll hear innovative ideas on financial literacy programs and leveraging technology for better customer service from Anne Tangen, President and CEO of BankFive. Tune in as we discuss:  How to engage customers in learning about improving their credit  The role of financial literacy in getting the right loan products in front of customers  What BankFive...

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the loan review process, making it more efficient, accurate, and compliant—while ensuring that human expertise remains essential. Joining us is Steve Wert , Vice President of DiCom Loan Review Solutions at Abrigo. With over 20 years of experience in market strategy and technology, Steve has played a pivot...

With a new administration in office, speculation is running high on what the future holds for financial institutions working within the cannabis-related business (CRB) industry. Today's guest is Kevin Gulledge , Senior Risk Management Consultant at Abrigo and a seasoned expert in financial compliance. With extensive experience guiding banks and credit unions through the challenges of serving...

Bank mergers and acquisitions are on the rise, with institutions looking to expand, scale technology investments, and enhance profitability. But the accounting side of these deals—Day 1 valuation, CECL modeling, and income recognition—can introduce unexpected complexities that impact deal success. In this episode, Abrigo Advisory’s Neekis Hammond and Derek Hipp bring their accounting expertise to...

The CFPB 1071 regulation has sparked plenty of debate and concern among financial institutions. Since our last 107 1 episode in March, there have been some key developments, including the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the CFPB’s funding structure and the new administration's 60-day pause on the rule. We’ll discuss how community financial institutions are responding—whether with resi...

While having data is valuable, the key to success is knowing how to interpret and effectively use that data. Core deposit studies can enhance the value of your institution’s non-maturity deposit sector, improving pricing betas and reducing funding costs. But how can you be sure you're considering the right factors when analyzing your portfolio? Join us as Abrigo Senior Consultant Urum Urumogl...

With many experts predicting that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates this week, this episode delves into what financial institutions should expect now that rate drops are on the horizon. Banks and credit unions are under pressure to reevaluate their strategies for managing deposits, loans, and overall financial health. We will explore topics such as: The implications of expected rate cu...

It is a BSA Compliance officer's job to make sure their institutions are in compliance with the latest from the FFIEC. That means getting their boards and leadership invested in following AML/CFT best practices. In today's episode, we'll explore the FFIEC's list of critical elements for a BSA program—from adequate staffing and expertise to the technological systems necessary fo...

With interest rates having shifted dramatically, financial institutions find themselves navigating uncharted territory, grappling with how to adapt their ALM strategies to the new normal. Join us as Abrigo Director of Sales and Professional Services Dave Koch , an experienced asset/liability management advisor, delves into the complexities of the current economic landscape and its impact on commun...

As the global population of individuals aged 60 and over is projected to increase by 38% between 2019 and 2030, elder abuse and elder financial exploitation (EFE) are becoming increasingly prevalent issues. This demographic shift, particularly in the developing world, brings attention to the unique challenges older persons face, including those related to human rights and financial security. Elder...

Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires financial institutions to collect and report data on small business lending to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The details of the CFPB 1071 rule are laid out in an extensive 888-page document, so it's no surprise that many financial institutions aren’t sure where to start when it comes to p...

The OCC , FDIC , and Federal Reserve Board have released the hypothetical scenarios for their annual Dodd-Frank stress tests, which help ensure that large banks can lend to households and businesses even in a severe recession. How do the scenarios impact community financial institutions, and how can you use stress testing to your institution's benefit? Join Zach Englert and Jacob Lowe as they...

Human trafficking – a form of modern slavery – is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in the world, exploiting over 45 million people and generating an estimated $150 billion in profits each year. While global in reach, human trafficking also affects individuals, communities, and economies across the United States. Join Brad Jeffery, founder of MADE FREE, and Heather Bellino, CEO of Tex...

The marijuana-related banking industry took major steps forward on September 27, 2023, when the Senate Committee passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act after weeks of negotiations and revisions to reach a bipartisan agreement. The bill would secure access for marijuana-related businesses (MRBs) to financial institutions. Terri Luttrell and Michael O’Neill , aka “The...

The OCC issued it's Bank Supervision Operation Plan for 2024 and we take a look on at it on the latest episode of Ahead of the Curve. This plan outlines the OCC's priorities and objectives for the coming year and provides great insights on where to focus your financial institution's time. In this episode,  Abrigo Advisor Zach Englert discusses his big takeaways specifically around l...

Financial institutions all have one thing in common right now: an unprecedented rising rate environment that isn't going away anytime soon. Some have action plans in place to ensure capital and margin objectives are still achieved, but for many, this coming period represents a complete unknown, so they are not as prepared. Whether deposits are an issue or not right now, it is prudent to make...