Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and social strategist Sophie Bawany share how credit unions and banks can make financial content actually work on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. From simplifying the message to embracing real, behind-the-scenes moments—this episode is your cheat sheet for Gen Z engagement. Key Takeaways: Simplify to Amplify - To engage younger audiences, financial instituti...

Cross-selling at community banks and credit unions doesn't have to feel like sales—it should feel like service. In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, FI GROW CEO Meredith Olmstead and Director of Sales Danielle Fancher unpack real-world strategies for creating authentic, high-impact cross-selling efforts. From live chat and automation to frontline staff training and data-driven segmentat...

In this episode of the FI GROW podcast, CEO Meredith Olmstead and Sales Director Danielle Fancher dig into a powerful conversation around customer acquisition vs. retention—and why focusing on deeper relationships with your existing members may be your most overlooked growth opportunity. From defining true onboarding to real-world tactics that work, they share actionable strategies to personalize,...

Surveys aren't just for collecting opinions—they’re tools for growth. In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Nida Ajaz explore how banks and credit unions can use surveys strategically to deepen member relationships, improve product offerings, and make smarter, data-informed decisions. From onboarding to attrition, they share real use cases that turn feedback into action. Key Takeaways: Surve...

In our latest episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FiGrow Solutions, joins forces with Inbound Marketing Manager Rebecca Gwaltney to explore creative and effective ways to harness the power of automated emails. Beyond the basics, they delve into advanced strategies for financial institutions to engage customers meaningfully, ensuring their services remain indispensable. Key Takeaways: Re-engagement...

Join Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock from FI GROW Solutions as they dive deep into the lesser-known features of HubSpot that can transform how financial institutions engage with their clients. Discover innovative ways to leverage smart content, enhance user experiences, and optimize your digital strategy. Key Takeaways: Smart Content: Tailor your digital presence dynamically based on user behav...

Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock from FI GROW Solutions discuss a recurring challenge faced by marketing departments in banks and credit unions: the lack of clear, measurable goals. In their conversation, they explore the importance of setting specific objectives for marketing teams to effectively align their strategies and resources, enhancing overall institutional performance. Three Key Highli...

In this engaging podcast, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, speaks with Sam Paxson, founder of the Power & Light Collaborative and a seasoned expert in the credit union industry. They explore transformative strategies for banks and credit unions to shift from product-centric to member-centric models, focusing on leveraging digital tools to align services with member needs and behavi...

In this episode of our podcast, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, and Kristin Mock, Senior Inbound Strategist, delve into the world of digital branches for banks and credit unions. They discuss the power of customizing digital experiences right from the homepage based on user behavior and characteristics, a strategy that not only enhances user engagement but also significantly boosts co...

Join Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, and Danielle Fancher, Sales Director, as they delve into the critical topic of budget allocation for credit union and bank websites. In this episode, they address the persistent issue of underfunding digital assets and advocate for recognizing websites as essential operational tools, not just marketing expenses. They share insights on the real valu...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, teams up with Kristin Mock, the firm's inbound marketing manager, to delve into the integration of AI in website development for financial institutions. They unpack the challenges and pitfalls of relying on AI and automated tools for creating or migrating websites for banks and credit unions, emphasizing the va...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, teams up with Kristin Mock, the firm's inbound marketing manager, to delve into the integration of AI in website development for financial institutions. They unpack the challenges and pitfalls of relying on AI and automated tools for creating or migrating websites for banks and credit unions, emphasizing the va...

In this podcast episode, Meredith Olmsted, CEO and founder of FI GROW Solutions, sits down with Ronaldo Hardy, President and CEO of NACUSO, to discuss a groundbreaking initiative he led at Southwest Louisiana Credit Union. Ronaldo shares his journey of certifying all credit union employees as financial counselors, delving into the transformative impact it had on staff, members, and the broader com...

In this episode of FI GROW Solutions' podcast, Meredith Olmsted and Rebecca Gwaltney delve into the world of email marketing for banks and credit unions. They discuss the benefits and strategies behind behavior-based or automated email marketing, focusing on how financial institutions can leverage automated workflows to enhance customer engagement and streamline communication. Meredith and Re...

In this insightful podcast episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, and Nida Ajaz, discuss the critical importance of demonstrating the value of marketing within credit unions. They explore common challenges faced by marketers, such as incomplete data, lack of industry knowledge, underfunded budgets, and limited strategic influence. The conversation highlights the need for marketers t...

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, and Danielle Fancher, Director of Sales, discuss the challenges and strategies of building an effective digital sales and lending team for banks and credit unions. They share insights on managing digital applications, creating strong team structures, and aligning marketing and lending teams for better collaboration and results. Key Take...

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, and Sophie Bawany, the company's in-house social media guru, explore how social media is transforming financial inclusion for younger and underserved audiences. They discuss how banks and credit unions can leverage platforms like Instagram and TikTok to provide financial education, improve accessibility, and build trust with their...

In this podcast, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of FI GROW Solutions, and social media expert Sophie Bawany discuss why social media remains vital for banks and credit unions in 2024. They explore how social media humanizes financial institutions, helps them engage with customers where they are, and fosters a unified brand experience. Additionally, they delve into the importance of internal collaboration,...

In this podcast, Meredith Olmsted and Kristin Mock offer a detailed exploration of user experience strategies for financial institution websites in their discussion. They emphasize setting clear goals for user interactions, simplifying navigation to reduce user effort, and the importance of continuous website evaluation to adapt to technological and behavioral changes. This dialogue is a valuable...

In this podcast, Meredith Olmstead, CEO and Founder of FI GROW Solutions, and Danielle Fancher, the Director of Sales, discuss effective strategies for capturing leads on websites of banks and credit unions. They emphasize the complexity of online financial product applications and the high rate of abandoned applications. The conversation highlights the importance of combining automated and person...

In this podcast episode, Meredith Olmstead, the CEO and founder of FI GROW Solutions, discusses the unique challenges and solutions in managing website projects for financial institutions. Joined by inbound marketing strategist Kristin Mock, they explore the critical role of their team in project management and content creation, detailing how their expertise helps bridge gaps between web developer...

In this podcast episode from FI GROW Solutions, CEO Meredith Olmstead and Senior Vice President of Marketing Nida Ajaz discuss the comparative effectiveness of contests versus surveys for engaging clients. They share results from a recent test involving the same audience and prize but with different formats: a simple contest and a more detailed survey. The results highlight how surveys can signifi...

In this podcast episode, Meredith Olmsted, CEO and founder of FI GROW Solutions, has a great conversation with August Mize, the brand ambassador for Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union. August discusses her journey from a communications graduate aiming for a career in journalism to becoming a brand ambassador, emphasizing the strategic shift towards influencer marketing to strengthen community con...

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead, CEO of Fi Grow Solutions, and Danielle Fancher, Director of Sales, delve into innovative strategies for enhancing sales success in banks and credit unions. They discuss the importance of prioritizing service-oriented skills over traditional sales abilities, the benefits of proactive customer engagement through CRM tools, and the crucial role of integrating marke...