Banking on Digital Growth

Digital transformation momentum may seem out of reach to some financial leaders, but that’s because they’re trying to move mountains rather than one pebble at a time. Transformation starts with the self, and you’re not starting from a dead stop. Regardless of speed or trajectory, each one of us is already moving. In this episode of our Exponential Insights series, we’re joined by the Chairman and...

Data and analytics have become the default yin and yang in digital transformation, but they’re much more than just water cooler buzzwords. As Rich Carlton , President at Aunalytics , told us, financial brands need to stop putting their data solely in the hands of their IT departments and start asking the big question. What business problem are you trying to solve?   In this episode, Rich shares hi...

Despite mountains of data at their disposal, banks and credit unions constantly fumble lending growth opportunities. Gary Lewis , Managing Director of Lending & Deposit Solutions at Jack Henry & Associates , believes it’s because many financial institutions have forgotten an important part of the customer journey. That credit is an art, not a science. If financial brands want to maximize t...

Machine learning has a tenuous reputation among many financial leaders, be it from fear of negative social impact or regulatory risk. But Tyler Barron , Chief Revenue Officer at Encapture , argues that AI’s potential to remove friction points in the lending experience is too great to ignore. Tyler gives us his unique perspective on machine learning and how financial brands can utilize intelligence...

Narrative storytelling for your financial institution or fintech is about framing perspective. Words are an outward expression of our thoughts and feelings, so they hold tremendous power over how our customers and employees perceive us. Angela Moonan , CEO of consultancy Angela Moonan, LLC , believes choosing the right words to tell your brand’s story can move mountains for your business. It start...

Direct mail marketing may feel nostalgic to some. Yet, in a digital world dominated by social media and mobile technology, direct mail is still a reliable channel that delivers point-blank engagement with consumers. As David Fink , CEO and Co-founder at Postie , put it, direct mail puts control of your financial brand’s narrative back in your hands. David tells us how direct mail marketing can be...

Despite all the buzz around embedded finance and fintech, traditional ways of thinking still find a way to contradict innovation. Part of the problem is a knowledge gap among financial leaders: they know fintech is the future of the industry, but they don’t truly understand what that means. Joe Keeley , CEO and Co-founder at Justifi , believes if these companies want to harness the power of embedd...

Digital onboarding, or lack thereof, is often an afterthought as financial brands chase new account applications. However, can banks and credit unions really label a fresh account as a win if all it does is collect cobwebs? Laurie McLachlan , CMO at Digital Onboarding, Inc. , thinks financial brands have an abandonment problem, and they won’t be able to fix it until they step back and accept it. L...

Community financial brands coasted for decades on a positive reputation built on trust. Consumers believed that these banks and credit unions had their best interests at heart, but the rapid rise of fintechs has put these brands on notice. Now, many of those same customers worry that smaller institutions may not have what it takes to keep up with digital innovation. Gabe Krajicek , CEO of Kasasa ,...

Personal transformation means different things to different people. Still, one thing remains constant: if one wishes to transform, one must be willing to change. If we’re unwilling to address our self-destructive patterns and behaviors, our mental health will become a victim of complacency. If we want to transform ourselves and our teams, we must first cure our mindset. Peggy Van de Plassche , men...

Influencer and affiliate marketing have taken the digital world by storm this decade. The reason is simple: people trust people. Customers don’t want to be sold to by a faceless financial organization. They want to engage with trusted people who can bridge their needs to your product or service. Alana Levine , Chief Revenue Officer at Fintel Connect , tells us why your institution or fintech shoul...

Communication failure is often the number one cause of productivity setbacks in the workplace. As digital communication channels continue to evolve and spread, how do we ensure we’re providing clarity in context to our colleagues? Audrey Cannata , Operations Lead at the Digital Growth Institute , gives her thoughts on cutting through confusion as we break down Michael Hyatt’s book No-Fail Communic...

Data continues to gain momentum as the commodity of choice in our global economy. As a result, digital assets have now gained a foothold on the balance sheets of the world’s most powerful banks. Emmanuel Daniel , Founder of The Asian Banker and author of The Great Transition , worries we may be evolving into a platform-based economy in which all data is financialized. Yet, he believes if individua...

Many traditional incumbent banks are struggling to offer digital services that meet customers’ expectations. Some have adopted a mindset that simply injecting new technology into their product is equivalent to real transformation. Maurice Lisi , Head of Direct Channels at BPER: Banca , argues that what traditional bankers really think is digital leaders don’t understand the complexities of banking...

Leadership lessons can come in all shapes and sizes, but what if we approached them through the lens of storytelling? Stories evoke feelings, and through feelings, we find purpose. Great leaders can empower teams by recognizing each impactful moment because once they gloss over the day-to-day, the greater story suffers for it. Garick Giroir , Marketing Strategist at Louisiana Federal Credit Union...

Every great president or executive in finance has a kit of leadership lessons they’ve collected on their transformational journey. Each person’s story is a little different, but they all share one thing in common: to move forward on a path of change, they first had to push past failure. Shane Saunders , President and CEO of Mocse Credit Union , believes that every leadership success story comes wi...

Different banking segments are certainly moving faster than others in transforming the digital landscape, like with subscription-based financial services. If financial leaders want to keep up, they need to alter their perception of change. Before acting differently, they need to feel different. Nick Belesis , VP of Growth at Fintech Insights by Scientia , believes it’s time for traditional banks t...

The pandemic put fintech innovation on a near-vertical trajectory as financial brands pivoted into the next stage of our digital evolution. But despite the brilliant minds behind them, some of the fantastic new products we’ve seen in the last few years are failing. Greg Palmer , Vice President of Finovate , believes it’s because companies designed those products for rational people. But your typic...

What is holding many banks and credit unions back from just doing the right thing by their clients? The unfortunate reality is that most financial institutions profit off of people’s mistakes. But what if they pivoted to banking on positive outcomes instead? Matt Wallaert , Founder of BeSci.io and author of Start at the End , believes everyone in finance has an intrinsic desire to help others. But...

Personal branding is a subject that gives many people pause despite its incredible marketing potential. Whether it’s the fear of failure or an overwhelming desire for instant gratification, it’s easy to make excuses not to plant our flag in the ground. The Duchess of Decorum herself, Pattie Ehsaei , believes financial leaders have the time and potential to provide value to others through personal...

In a heavily regulated industry like finance, it can be tough for financial brand leaders to go all in on a positive growth mindset during uncertain economic times. But if banks and credit unions are going to boldly move forward in their digital transformation journeys, they’ll need to continue to embrace change and pioneer new ideas. As Eric Cook , Founder & Chief Mentor of The LinkedBanker ,...

If there’s one topic in intimate conversations that may be frowned upon more than finances, it’s death. Unfortunately, many families put off the wealth transition dialogue until it’s too late. They’re then left scrambling to find the missing pieces in their dearly departed’s life. Emily Cisek , CEO & Co-Founder of The Postage , tells us why financial brands should take the opportunity to help...

In the risk-averse industry of finance, digital content marketing can feel like traversing a minefield. As social media platforms continuously adjust their algorithms, many financial brands and fintechs struggle to keep up while using outdated traditional marketing tactics. Anna Wolf , Owner and CEO of SuperScript Financial Marketing Agency , tells us why financial services need to stop touting di...

Three years ago, Jennifer Poniatowski , VP of Mortgage Sales at Credit Union 1 , and her team had no practical digital tools at their disposal. But Jennifer knew they had to be proactive in giving their clients the digital experience they deserved. By integrating forward-thinking tech into their operations, Jennifer elevated their member experience by investing in the employee experience. Through...

Community institutions are the backbone of lending for many businesses and individuals.   But when it’s easier to do business with bigger banks when it comes to consumer lending, community banks and credit unions lose. Joe Ehrhardt , CEO & Founder of Teslar Software , joins the show today with incredible, concrete examples of how you can better make your small, local financial brand stack up t...