Leaders in Lending

As the auto finance industry faces mounting regulatory scrutiny and increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics, lenders are working together to navigate risk, improve compliance, and better serve today’s borrowers. In this episode, recorded at CBA Live 2025 in Orlando, host Matt Snow sits down with Fabien Thierry , Head of Indirect Lending at Bank of America, and Mike Gilbert, Director of Consumer L...

As tariffs and inflation drive up vehicle prices, both lenders and consumers are feeling the pressure to adapt. In this episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal speaks with Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights at Experian, and Mark Pregmon, VP of Consumer Lending at USAA, to explore how market shifts, financial pressures and evolving consumer demands are reshaping the auto financing lan...

With 97 percent of Americans already banked, acquiring new customers means convincing them to break existing relationships. So how can financial institutions stand out when banking feels increasingly commoditized? Live from CBA 2025, host Matt Snow from Upstart is joined by Kurt Lin , Co-Founder and CEO from Pinwheel as well as Dennis Chira and Wei Ke from Oliver Wyman to tackle the question: “How...

As regulatory and political landscapes shift, financial institutions must stay agile and innovative to navigate new challenges and opportunities. In this episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by David Pommerehn , General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Affairs at CBA, and Billy Rielly , Head of Public Affairs at CBA, to unpack how political shifts, state-level regulations and consumer protectio...

As economic conditions shift, financial institutions must adapt their lending strategies to balance growth, risk, and liquidity. A "Slow and Grow " approach is emerging as a sustainable way to navigate today’s market while expanding financial services. This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal welcomes Joseph Mayans, Chief Economist at Experian North America, to discuss the key economic drivers impacting...

In episode re-air, joining our host Ed Walters  is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnership at Finwise Bank , to discuss his trajectory in the financial services sector from Europe to the US. With this multi-cultural background in finance, Simon explains the intricacies of FinTech, unraveling the cultural and regulatory intricacies that shape these distinct markets. Ed and Simon discuss: The pivotal rol...

As economic conditions shift, financial institutions must adapt their lending strategies to balance growth, risk, and liquidity. A “Slow and Grow” approach is emerging as a sustainable way to navigate today’s market while expanding financial services. This week, host Barry Roach welcomes Michelle Goeppner , Vice President of Consumer Lending & Product Strategy at Vantage West Credit Union , to...

In episode re-air, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Jillian Murrish , CEO of Pier Asset Management , about the waves she and her firm are making in the market — targeting less liquid and underserved areas while focusing on secondary markets and early-stage credit facilities. Jillian shares her journey from working in online real estate to co-founding Pier Asset Management, while offering valuable...

In today’s episode, we dive into the dynamic world of financial services, specifically auto and mortgage lending. Join host Drew Megrey as he speaks with Rick Moore, the Chief Lending Officer at  Maine Savings Credit Union . With nearly 39 years of experience under his belt, Rick provides invaluable insights into the evolving mortgage landscape, tackling challenges like rising interest rates and s...

As technology evolves, open banking is reshaping how we manage and share financial data, creating exciting opportunities for innovation and better services. In today’s episode, host Matt Snow welcomes Armen Meyer, Co-founder of the American Fintech Council, to explore the world of open banking. Together, they discuss the opportunities and challenges this transformation brings, from balancing innov...

In banking, yesterday’s touchdowns don’t win today’s games. A great product is just the start — constant evolution is key to meeting ever-changing customer needs. In today’s episode, host Matt Snow sits down with Rhett Roberts , CEO and Co-Founder of LoanPro, for an in-depth look at the modern financial landscape. Rhett shares key insights from the recent Money 2020 event in Las Vegas, covering ev...

In a world where technology rapidly reshapes financial systems, credit unions must innovate to stay ahead.  In this episode, host Matt Snow chats with Nat Hoopes, Head of Public Policy at Upstart, as they navigate the fintech landscape and highlight the importance of actionable insights from industry professionals. They discuss the evolving role of the NCUA, the need for diversified products in cr...

In the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses across the nation have demonstrated remarkable resilience and ingenuity, adapting to new realities and discovering innovative ways to survive.  On today's episode, host Matt Snow is joined by special guest, Chris Pilkerton, the former head of the Small Business Administration and author of " Plandemic. "...

Can credit unions turn economic setbacks into stepping stones for success?  Today, we sit down with Dustin Holmberg , Chief Revenue and Lending Officer at Clearview Federal Credit Union . With $2 billion in assets and a vibrant community of 120,000 members, Clearview is not only surviving but thriving in today’s financial landscape. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of AI, innov...

Ultimately, providing the best financial advice or service is all about having the right data in the right place at the right time. This week, host Matt Snow speaks with Chris Gifford , Chief Data and Analytics Officer at USAA Federal Savings Bank , about the evolution of data analytics within the financial industry—as well as the importance of having a strong data foundation. Chris also shares in...

From having a child to starting a business, every major life decision comes with financial implications—and with those come concerns and challenges. But even concerns come in all different shapes and sizes, so building trust as a bank means having an in-depth and empathetic understanding of the community they’re operating in.  This week, host Matt Snow speaks with Eric Fiala , Chief Corporate Resp...

Like many institutions, credit unions can't afford to be left behind in the race to adapt to the new AI-driven technological landscape. But successfully and responsibly leveraging AI goes beyond adopting AI solutions for the sake of checking off a box—it involves identifying opportunities to collaborate with seasoned partners who can help solve the problems that AI is equipped to solve. This week’...

Things need to change, oftentimes more than we’d like. This week, host Matt Snow is joined by Adam Goller , EVP and Head of Fintech Banking at Cross River Bank , for a conversation about transformation and innovation within fintech in the face of turbulent times and shifting preferences. Adam shares his insights on how smart strategy, rapidly evolving technology, and—most importantly—a willingness...

Although the US Supreme Court recently upheld the CFPB’s funding system—and removed a major threat to the agency’s ability to regulate financial products and services—the future of financial regulation is far from settled or certain.  On today’s episode, host Matt Snow speaks with Armen Meyer , Co-Founder of the American Fintech Council , about the implications of the CFPB ruling on the financial...

Successful AI integration isn’t just about saving time or cutting costs—it’s about thoughtfully implementing the technology into areas where it can do the most good for the company and the customer. On today’s episode, host Matt Snow speaks with Will Robinson , CEO at Encapture about AI’s application in financial institutions. Will has seen first-hand the challenges of legacy processes and resista...

When it comes to the tech revolution, it’s not all about the coasts or the biggest cities. Although areas like Silicon Valley continue to dominate the headlines and the public imagination, there’s an undercurrent of tech growth and innovation in “Heartland” and “Rust Belt” areas like Ohio. This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Chris Berry , President and CEO of OhioX , about the vibrant gro...

In today’s episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal talks with Jillian Murrish , CEO of Pier Asset Management , about the waves she and her firm are making in the market — targeting less liquid and underserved areas while focusing on secondary markets and early-stage credit facilities. Jillian shares her journey from working in online real estate to co-founding Pier Asset Management, while offering valuabl...

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to regulation in the world of financial services. Sometimes it’s a matter of encouraging fintech companies to engage in responsible behaviors—and other times it’s a matter of allowing responsible FinTech companies to continue operating responsibly without regulatory burdens. This week’s host, Lynn Sautter Beal, is joined by Phil Goldfeder , CEO at American Fin...

For financial service professionals, it’s important to meet the needs of their customers and clients. But it’s equally important that they ensure they’re leaving no stone unturned when it comes to harnessing the latest technological solutions that can make their job — and the consumer’s experience — as frictionless as possible. This week, host Matt Snow is joined by Greg Blausey , Senior Director...

On today’s episode, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Matt Hrna , Senior Vice President at Regions Bank to discuss inflationary pressures and market volatility impacting banks today. Leveraging over a decade of expertise and experience, Matt covers a wide range of challenges and opportunities faced by players throughout the financial industry.  Although economic uncertainty continues to abound,...