Banking on Digital Growth

Financial brands often face challenges in digital growth due to a lack of awareness about the problems within their websites. Many don't realize they have issues that hinder their digital performance, while others acknowledge these problems but do not feel the urgency to address them. Additionally, some brands feel stuck and unable to make progress, often due to limitations with their tech stack o...

Many financial brands are navigating the digital landscape with blind spots, as our research indicates that a staggering 85-90% of financial brands have never conducted a website secret shopping study, leaving them in the dark about user experience. Imagine spending countless resources on designing and maintaining a digital platform, only to find out it doesn't resonate with your target audience o...

The financial landscape is increasingly being influenced by factors such as technology and global economic shifts. Leaders must adapt to these changes to avoid falling behind, especially as traditional models of operation are disrupted. Dan Sullivan , founder of Strategic Coach , joins the show to introduce a framework for understanding these challenges and opportunities for growth. By leveraging...

We're seeing a clear split between those who've grown up with the internet at their fingertips and those for whom digital tech is a learned skill. This divide is particularly noticeable in areas like social media and finance, where traditional approaches clash with digital expectations, leading to a disconnect in communication and service usage. To bridge this gap, it's essential to explore the ro...

Financial brands face a critical issue with account holder retention, struggling to maintain the accounts they work hard to acquire, if they are even aware they have a problem. Banks and credit unions invest heavily in acquisition efforts, only to see their gains erode due to poor retention practices. Kelly Chambers , content strategist and writer, believes that by prioritizing personalized, relev...

When you think of the term "discipline," what comes to mind? Is it a constraint or a catalyst for growth? Particularly in challenging times, discipline might be the key for financial brand leaders to elevate themselves, their teams, and their organizations. In this episode of the #BehindTheCover series, we Audrey Cannata and I explore " Discipline is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control " by Ryan Ho...

Storytelling goes beyond just entertainment; it can truly change people. This power isn't just for leadership and personal growth but also helps motivate teams and bring about change in organizations. Joe Byerly , an active-duty Army lieutenant colonel and the mind behind " From the Green Notebook ," discusses how understanding and leveraging the art of storytelling can lead to exponential persona...

Facing the challenge of a race, whether in athletics or in the competitive financial industry, requires more than just showing up. Without a solid strategy, you're merely running without direction, risking not achieving your full potential in both physical races and financial growth. Just as athletes wouldn't dream of tackling a marathon without comprehensive training, financial institutions that...

Financial well-being is often compromised due to a lack of personalized guidance and accountability, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and underserved by traditional banking models. The gap between financial institutions and the personal financial health of individuals widens as services remain transactional rather than transformational, ignoring the emotional and practical needs of consumers. This...

In this episode of the Practical Perspectives series, we uncover the challenges faced by a credit union during its online account opening process, where major friction points led to a staggering 60% of users abandoning their applications. The complexity and frustration of the process were pinpointed as the primary issues. We explore the effectiveness of website secret shopping studies and benchmar...

Marketing often finds itself in a tight spot—seen as the event organizers and handling creative materials, but not always recognized for the strategic thinkers they are. This underestimation shadows the true potential of marketing to drive substantial growth and innovation. Martha Bartlett Piland , founder and president at Banktastic and a visionary in bank marketing, joins the show to dive into t...

How would you define your relationship with money as a financial brand leader? What about the relationships that your account holders have with their money? And how might financial coaching help every single one of us reframe the relationships that we have with money so that we can all continue to level up our financial confidence? Expanding on episode 369's insights , Audrey Cannata , Operations...

Financial brands struggle to differentiate in a saturated market. Despite having diverse offerings, many institutions fail to create unique, engaging experiences for specific customer groups. Austin Wentzlaff , co-founder and CEO of Nook , introduces their innovative approach, focusing on niche markets through a combination of lifestyle and financial content. This strategy allows credit unions and...

Understanding specific needs of those in the communities you serve is critical, particularly in unique markets like rural areas. But where do you put your focus first? It's the age-old philosophical question of what came first...the chicken or the egg? Is it on the external digital experiences that will impact both account holders as well as prospective account holders? Or should you put your focu...

For many, the world of finance is not just about numbers and investments; it's an emotional and psychological battlefield. In this episode, we delve into the world of financial coaching, a lifeline for those drowning in financial troubles. Audrey Cannata , Operations Lead at the Digital Growth Institute shares her journey through financial hardship and the emotional and psychological toll it took...

Financial inclusion is not just a concept; it's a pathway to reshaping how we view prosperity and community engagement. But the financial industry still grapples with the complexities of truly achieving financial inclusion. Traditional models are being disrupted, leaving many organizations searching for effective strategies. Viola Llewellyn , the founder and CEO of The Tulle Box, joined the show t...

There is one word that differentiates financial brand marketing sales and leadership teams who are just dreaming about maximizing their future digital growth potential compared to those that are doing it right now today. Discipline. That's why in this episode of the Practical Perspective series, James Robert Lay gives you three practical ways that you can level up your discipline, so that you can...

"No" is one of the most powerful words that can unlock future growth for you and for your team. Saying "no" or even "not yet" might just be what you need to level up your loans and deposits at your bank, credit union, or fintech. In this episode, part of the Real Solutions series, we're joined by Jill Sammons , Senior Vice President of Marketing, Wellbeing, and Wealth Advisory at BCU . Together, w...

Financial brand leaders face the challenge of bridging the empathy gap with both existing and prospective account holders. This issue is compounded by internal perspectives and resistance to change. On this episode of the Real Solutions series, Jonathan Clay , a skilled data analyst at Louisiana Federal Credit Union , joins the shows to discuss the challenge of balancing individual responsibilitie...

Does the word "philosophy" take you back to a monotonous college lecture that was a struggle to sit through? Well, today's episode is set to change that perception. We're not just talking about philosophy in the abstract; we're diving into how its ancient wisdom, surprisingly practical and relevant, can revolutionize the way banks, credit unions, and FinTech companies operate and thrive in this ag...

Imagine it's early 2020. The world is about to enter an unprecedented period of lockdown due to COVID-19. Your credit union is facing not only this global crisis but also an impending merger, the launch of a new brand, and the daunting task of building and continually optimizing a website to support various business lines. Overwhelmed? Stressed? In this episode of the Digital Growth Journeys serie...

Many marketing teams within banks and credit unions struggle with integrating new technologies like AI and adapting to changing member behaviors. Adam Remshifski , VP of Analytics and Digital Marketing at American Heritage Credit Union , shares his journey of evolving the marketing department to meet these modern demands. However, adapting to these changes while maintaining growth is an ongoing st...

Traditional market research in finance is heavily focused on quantitative data, neglecting the nuanced emotional factors that influence customer choices. The gap between logical reasoning and emotional influence in financial decision-making leads to ineffective marketing and customer engagement strategies. Grant Gooding , founder and CEO of Proof Positioning , believes the answer lies in emotional...

Is financial coaching a path toward future growth at your bank, at your credit unit, your FinTech? Are there strategic elements that need to be put in place before a financial coaching program can be developed and then expanded? On this episode of the Real Solutions series, James Robert Lay highlights the transformative potential of financial coaching. He dives into the challenges and opportunitie...

Digital leadership transcends technology. It's about a human-centric approach that enables individuals to achieve new growth levels. This includes being open to continuous learning, prioritizing team dynamics, and fostering a culture that values innovation and human connection. In this episode of the Digital Leadership series with Audrey Cannata , Operations Lead at the Digital Growth Institute, w...