Operate Podcast

In this new format "brief" episode of the Operate Podcast, I caught up with Heath Fountain, CEO of Colony Bank, the largest community bank in Georgia with locations spanning Georgia, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. We explored how community banks can approach innovation strategically without overextending their resources. Heath shared the practical thinking behind his bank's decision to get in...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we dive deep into the world of banking investment strategy with Tom Brown , CEO and founder of Second Curve Capital . Tom brings an incredible 40-plus year perspective on the banking industry, starting as a top-rated Wall Street analyst before founding his equity investment firm exclusively focused on financial services about 25 years ago. What makes Tom's a...

I'm so grateful that Georgina joined me for a conversation to explore the future of financial data infrastructure. As the founder and CEO of SOLO, she brings a unique outsider perspective to financial services, having started her career as a data scientist in cybersecurity before founding Egypt's first cross-border payments app, Ziv Me, which she later sold to the National Bank of Egypt. We dove d...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we took a deep dive into the world of community banking with John Maxfield , the mind behind Maxfield on Banks. We explored the critical role community banks play in local economies and the unique challenges and opportunities they face. John discussed his journey from studying various subjects like high-altitude mountaineering and maritime disasters to his i...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we explored leadership through volatility with Dan Holt , co-founder and CEO of BillGO . Rather than looking back at his entire career, we focused on the major transformation he's currently navigating both personally and professionally as his company pivots its business model. Dan shared candidly about reducing his team from 340 to 150 employees while discov...

Brooke Ybarra and I dive into the intricacies of innovation and transformation within the banking industry in this episode. She is currently SVP of Innovation and Strategy at the American Bankers Association (ABA). Brooke shares her unique career journey, starting with the CIA, strategy consulting, a significant corporate role during the pandemic, and finally her impactful position at the ABA. We...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast , we explore the complex and crucial topic of technology transformation within the banking sector, with Kristiane Koontz , EVP and Director of Treasury Services and Payments at Zions Bancorporation. We dive into the significance of replacing legacy banking systems, a daunting project that Kristiane and her team successfully completed over a decade-long journe...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we explored the transformation of the banking sector through technology, leadership, and community engagement. Our guest, Marc Rehberger , delves into his journey from technology companies to leading tech-enabled banking at Customers Bank . We discussed cutting-edge advancements in real-time payments, the strategic adoption of technologies like RTP and FedNo...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of fintech P2P and marketplace lending with Peter Renton , one of its pioneers. Peter shared his extensive background, starting from his early days as a self-directed investor to founding key fintech companies like Lend Academy and LendIt, which later became Fintech Nexus. We discussed his journey into peer-to-pe...

In this episode, we get an insider look into the financial technology landscape with Jason Mikula . Jason shares his journey, from his unexpected entry into financial services and digital marketing to launching the publication Fintech Business Weekly . He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer acquisition metrics and analyzes the evolution of fintech innovations like online lending, B...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at company building with Isabella Sun , Founder and CEO of Short Story , a subscription e-commerce company serving petite women. The discussion sheds light on Isabella's journey from a structured finance career to becoming a successful e-commerce entrepreneur catering to a niche market. We explore how a personal pain poin...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we got a behind-the-scenes look at company building from Tiffany Haynes , COO at Fingercheck . Tiffany discussed her transition from a 19-year career at Jack Henry to her role at Fingercheck, a startup focused on payroll and HR services for small businesses. She highlighted the challenges and learning curves she faced and the importance of establishing found...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we dive deep into the evolution of 'Banking as a Service' (BaaS) and its complexities. My guest, Rafael DeLeon , the SVP of Industry Engagement at NContracts , shares his extensive insights on the partnership dynamics between community banks and fintech companies. We explored how these relationships started, the operational challenges they faced, and how the...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we delve into the use of AI & Machine Learning within the commercial real estate lending industry. My guest is Shayne Skaff , co-founder and CEO of Blooma , a SaaS company revolutionizing commercial real estate lending and portfolio management. Our discussion outlines Shane's entrepreneurial journey, the origins of Blooma, and the challenges and opportun...

In this episode, we delve into cybersecurity and the importance of making it relevant to each individual, beyond just their organization. My guest is David Shipley , Co-founder and CEO of Beauceron Security . David shares his journey from a career-altering cybersecurity incident at the University of New Brunswick to leading a cloud-based platform designed to enhance personal and organizational cyb...

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we delve into the essential role that technology and data analytics play in the banking industry's future. My guest was Brian Bauer , CEO of Revio , a promising banking and analytics technology startup that's making waves by assisting banks in leveraging their core banking transaction data to foster growth. Brian shares his journey from a 10-year military ca...

Given all that is going on in partner banking between community banks and fintechs, it was good timing to have Adam Shapiro on from Klaros Group . We took a deep dive into the evolving landscape of the financial industry, particularly at the intersection of banking, innovation, and regulation. Adam shared his extensive experience in it. Our discussion focused on 'banking as a service' (BaaS), divi...

Entrepreneurs always inspire me, and Michael Berman re-affirmed that when we met a couple years ago. It's also been a pleasure to build a partnership with him and his company, NContracts . He shared a lot of company and personal history, as well as industry perspective, in this conversation. With an increased need for efficient and effective risk, vendor and compliance management in banks, NContra...

In this episode, I interviewed Winter Mead , founder and CEO of Coolwater Capital , an incubator/accelerator that helps launch and scale venture capital funds, as well as a fund to invest in them and community to support them. This was a super fun, engaging and important conversation for emerging fund managers. He's met and worked with thousands of them! Winter shares how the venture capital fundr...

It was an absolute pleasure to have Kraig Lounsberry and Mike Kelley from Community Bankers Association of Illinois on the podcast. As the leaders of the association and service corporation, respectively, they advocate for and support community banks at one of the largest bank state associations in the country. 2024 is also their golden anniversary (50 years), and demonstrates how relevant and eff...

I was excited to record my conversation with Tara Schultz , as we've had several good discussions since meeting and she always has so many ideas and perspectives to share. She has been a key part of CSI for several years, and discussed her career path in and around banking, how CSI is evolving  and adjusting to life as a private equity-owned company, and what's ahead for them and her. From the #4...

My latest guest is Amber Illig , General Partner at The Council .  What started, as she told me, as her desire to do angel investing eventually expanded to a community and then a fund a couple of years ago. The Council Fund typically invests about $50-100K into pre-seed startups, and then she also has a group called the Council Angels, which has become a consortium of over a hundred angels.  Prior...

I've really enjoyed working with Sean Willett over the last couple of years, and it was a special treat to have him on the podcast. I'm grateful for the friendship we've developed and how generous he is with his perspective and feedback. We always have productive and future-focused conversations as we both work closely in the area of making community banks more capable, competitive and digitally t...

Kristin Marcuccilli joined me to share the STAR Financial journey, which is in its 80th year and has had at least one member of her family involved since inception. She's a great example of a next generation business leader, fully aware of the opportunities and challenges that technology and change present, and embracing them for how they can strengthen their bank and the communities they serve. S...

John Mizzi from Vero Technologies joined me to talk about his founder journey and the dual value proposition his company offers to banks and some of the larger commercial customers who hold and sell physical inventory. We discussed how challenging it's been for many banks to manage their wholesale finance business, and how Vero built the modern platform to make it better, faster and more scalable....