FIsionaries

What does relationship banking really mean when the back office gets in the way? Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous speaks with John Hutcherson, SVP and COO at State Bank of Texas, about how a highly focused community bank is using digital transformation to make service faster, simpler and more useful for the customers it knows best. Hutcherson explains why operations are central to...

What happens when a credit union CEO comes from outside the industry and refuses to accept legacy thinking as the cost of doing business? Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous speaks with Darius Wise, President and CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union, about how an unconventional leadership path shaped the transformation of a $360 million credit union in Colorado. Wise shares how his backgroun...

Community banking has always been built on relationships. But when customers no longer need to walk into a branch to make decisions, those relationships must start earlier, move faster and become more relevant across digital channels. Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous speaks with Jeffrey Wright, Digital Communications Manager at Colony Bank, about how community banks can use data, t...

What does it take for a $500 million credit union to compete like a much larger institution? Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous sits down with Shonna Shearson, President and CEO, and Diana La Point, Chief Growth Officer, of First US Community Credit Union. The conversation explores how the credit union is moving beyond being “the best kept secret” by prioritizing digital onboarding,...

Most financial institutions talk about omnichannel. Belco Community Credit Union built it. With 88% of members active in digital banking and a 4.8-rated mobile app, Belco has achieved what many credit unions are still striving for: a seamless member experience where branch, contact center, and digital services function as one. But the real story isn’t the numbers. It’s the strategic alignment behi...

Most credit union mergers promise transformation. Few deliver it. Jared Freeman, CEO of OnPath Credit Union, turned a merger with Louisiana Federal Credit Union into something rare: an actual catalyst for change. While other institutions get bogged down in integration challenges, OnPath accelerated innovation, reimagined their digital experience, and scaled personalized service across a growing me...

Right now, the greatest threat to banking isn’t fintechs or big tech—it’s member indifference. If your experience doesn’t engage, your members will quietly drift away. Your members don’t compare you to the credit union down the street. They compare you to Amazon, Netflix, and Apple. If your experience isn’t as seamless, you’re already behind. For banks and credit unions, falling short means diseng...

In this episode of the FIsionaries Podcast at Co:lab 2025, Ryan Hill, First Vice President and Product Director of Corporate Treasury Services at Trustmark National Bank, shares how Trustmark balances AI, technological advancement, and meaningful client engagement in commercial banking. Hill discusses the importance of communicating effectively with clients and internal teams, and how Trustmark ap...

In this episode of the FIsionaries Podcast from Co:lab 2025, Pamela Villanova, SVP of Digital Services, and Mari Gadlin, Director of Digital Banking Services, from American Eagle Financial Credit Union, share how they're building a digital-first mindset focused on personalization and financial wellness. The conversation explores how a credit union of modest size evaluates and selects technology pa...

In this episode of the FIsionaries Podcast, we're joined by James Hilton, VP of Product Management for Digital Solutions, and Jesse Evenson, Director of Quality and Site Reliability, from Mountain America Credit Union in Salt Lake City. With a legacy of member-focused service primarily through branches, MACU is navigating the challenge of creating "a digital twin" of their acclaimed in-person expe...

In this episode of the FIsionaries Podcast from Co:lab 2025, I'm joined by Liam Petraska, Digital Banking Manager at NASA Federal Credit Union. Petraska shares the remarkable story of how the $5.5 billion credit union transformed its member experience from a dated platform with 1.3-star reviews to a modern solution earning 4.8 stars in less than 18 months. He reveals the keys to their success, inc...

From democratizing data across the organization to creating timely, personalized experiences for their 114,000 members, Chad Gramling, AVP of business intelligence at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, explains how 3Rivers abandoned the traditional seasonal marketing calendar in favor of always-on, data-driven member engagement. Learn how 3Rivers integrated their business intelligence, marketing, and d...

With assets of $2.7 billion, First Fidelity Bank has nearly doubled in size since 2017. My conversation with John Symcox, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at First Fidelity Bank, explores how smaller financial institutions can innovate at speed and scale, particularly in the underserved treasury management and commercial banking areas. Symcox shares how the COVID-19 crisis perman...

Financial institutions of all sizes face mounting pressure to deliver personalized experiences that rival tech giants and fintech disruptors. As consumers increasingly expect tailored financial services that anticipate their needs and preferences, credit unions must evolve beyond traditional relationship banking. We’re joined by Steve Zich, Chief Marketing Officer of Capital Credit Union on the FI...

We’re honored to have David Gorham, VP of Digital Solutions, Rebecca Forsberg, Director of Enterprise Application Support and Salinna Reel, Director of Digital Product Operations at Apple FCU on the FIsionaries podcast. They share how a clear focus, incremental implementation and a strong partnership with third-party solution providers is essential for successful digital banking transformation. Th...

On this episode of the FIsionaries podcast I am at the Alkami Co:Lab event in Grapevine Texas. I’m joined by Grace Pace from Quontic Bank, headquartered in New York City. Grace will share how Quontic has leveraged a digital first strategy to establish a nationwide presence. In addition, we discuss some of the innovations that have set Quontic Bank apart from competitors while helping the organizat...

On this episode of the FIsionaries podcast I am at the Alkami Co:Lab event in Grapevine Texas. I’m joined by Chad Rogers and Jeramey Litzman from Connexus Credit Union. Chad and Jeramey will share how Connexus has shifted from viewing digital services as a cost center to leveraging them as a profit center, setting a precedent for industry evolution. In addition, we discuss the unique approaches to...

On this episode of the FIsionaries podcast I am at the Alkami Co:Lab event in Grapevine Texas. I’m joined by Amy Driscoll, Digital Services Analyst at Kennebec Savings Bank. Amy provides a perspective on building a modern digital platform leveraging data and insight to enhance personalization and engagement. Amy also shares her perspective on how AI will enhance the customer experience and provide...

On this episode of the FIsionaries podcast I am at the Alkami Co:Lab event in Grapevine Texas. I’m joined by Matt Singleton, VP of payment and business solutions at Star Financial Bank. Matt shares how, despite having a modest size, it is not impossible to have a mighty vision –proving that innovation isn't just for the big players. From harnessing cutting-edge technology to fostering deep, person...

On this episode of the FIsionaries podcast I am at the Alkami Co:Lab event in Grapevine Texas. I’m joined by Amy Krasikov, Vice President of Digital Experience at Raiz Federal Credit Union. Amy provides an inside look into their extensive overhaul of both their core platform and online banking system. This revamp of their digital infrastructure has yielded amazing results, with a rapid adoption ra...

On this episode of the FIsionaries podcast, I’m joined by Luis Cruz, Chief Information Officer at Educational Federal Credit Union. Luis provides a captivating exploration of EdFed's approach to digital transformation, including a focus on data, analytics and innovation for serving their members, communities and employees. EdFed has achieved historical growth by deploying modern technology without...

We’re honored to have Greg Barnes, Chief Operations Officer, and Abigail Riesner, Manager of Digital Solutions at the Air Force FCU on the show. They offer an insider’s perspective on their credit union’s ambitious digital transformation that has resulted in decisions like discontinuing CO-OP shared branching, elevating member’s digital experiences, overcoming internal and external challenges, and...

I am excited to be joined by Smart Financial Credit Union's CIO, Marcus Manning, on the FIsionaries podcast. Marcus was just named Futurist CIO by Houston CIO Community for his foresight into how to leverage AI as a way financial services are both delivered and perceived by consumers. Just as importantly, Marcus works tirelessly to build a culture at Smart Financial that will make the credit union...

I'm excited to welcome Tim Ferrio, CTO of Team One Credit Union, to the FIsionaries podcast. With just under $750 million in assets, Team One faces an uphill battle competing against major banks with billions in their war chests to finance modern technologies and innovation. In this episode, we explore the unique opportunities and challenges smaller credit unions face in keeping pace with digital...

While modest is size, Nymeo FCU continues to be recognized regionally and nationwide as a “Best Credit Union to Work For” and “Best of the Best Credit Unions” within their marketplace in Maryland. According to the credit union, much of its success can be attributed to its commitment to its staff and their continued commitment to provide members with a superior experience across all delivery channe...