Plugged In - A Banking Podcast

In this episode, Al and Steve sit down with April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, to chat about growth strategies in Michigan, a state that ranks 49th in overall population growth since the 1990s. Spoiler: For the university credit union, it includes more intimate marketing, like sponsoring green-and-white pizzas (the university’s colors) and pizza-making classes. April also...

Join Al Dominick and Steve Williams as they speak with Kirk Wycoff, managing partner, and Tom Cestare, COO, of Patriot Financial Partners to delve into how banks are building resilience through digital innovation. This episode features discussions on the integration of technology in banking operations, the importance of maintaining a robust digital posture, and strategies for efficient tech implem...

In this year’s final episode of Plugged In, Al and Steve reflect on their favorite moments from 2023 – including in banking, books and music. They also explore the top traits that make for smarter banks. Bonus: Hear the backstory of how the GonzoBanker Awards were developed. Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest from industry leaders in Banking, Finance, and Fintech!

Al and Steve sit down with Maria Tedesco, the president of Atlantic Union, the commonwealth of Virginia’s largest independent bank. They explore how to navigate some of the thorniest industry challenges, including: retaining deposits in a rising rate environment, cultivating trust in digital channels and leading efforts to diversify talent, especially in the c-suite. Steve sings a little Dave Matt...

Al and Steve are back! Here is the audio version of their Smarter Bank Live virtual event that you don't want to miss. Join the insightful discussion on how banks can transform into "Smarter Banks" in the current environment. They explore 5 key pillars - being hyper-efficient, differentiated, nimble, data-driven, and opportunistic. Steve and Al share real examples of banks excelling...

Kevin Blair, the CEO of Synovus, shares with Al and Steve his views on hybrid work, sourcing talent from outside of banking, and chasing ideas even when the undercurrents are tough like right now. Among the bank’s recent pursuits? Launching Maast (money-as-a-service) while preparing to become a $100B bank. Subscribe to Plugged In for the latest in Banking and Fintech from Cornerstone Advisors.

On this episode Al Dominick and Steve Williams sit down with legendary entrepreneur Chip Mahan, founder of companies like Live Oak Bank and Canapi Ventures. Chip shares his unique perspective on innovation, building customer trust, controlling your tech destiny, and more. You'll hear Chip's incredible origin story, how he convinced reluctant partners to join him, and his views on the hyp...

How is AI transforming banking and financial services? On this episode, Al and Steve talk with Sarah Hinkfuss (Bain Capital Ventures) to provide an insider's perspective on the impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT.They discuss strategies banks are taking to adopt AI: building custom models in-house, configuring existing solutions, and adopting ready-made vendor products. She explains th...

On this episode, Al Dominick and Steve Williams give an unfiltered look at what's next for financial institutions during a time of rising rates, economic uncertainty, and fast-changing technology. You'll get the duo's straight talk on:Why historic Fed rate hikes call for long-term strategic planning, not knee-jerk reactionsHow to retain top talent and maintain an innovative, entrepr...

On this episode of Plugged In, Al and Steve talk with Jill Castilla, President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond, who shares her perspectives on incorporating creativity, promoting transparency, and implementing innovation in banking. Among her achievements are the successful revitalization of downtown Edmond through the 'Heard on Hurd' music festival, fostering trust in her bank and co...

On this episode of Plugged In, Al and Steve discuss the transformation of Washington Federal Bank under the leadership of this week's guest, CEO Brent Beardall. Starting off 2023 amidst a heartbreaking event, Brent emerged as a survivor of a devastating plane crash that sadly claimed the life of his friend and colleague, Nathan Ricks. The conversation explores the profound impact of such life...

On this episode, Al Dominick and Steve Williams sit down to talk about how recent bank failures have revealed the need for enhanced risk management and reinforced the importance of regional and community banks. The financial industry must learn from these incidents and implement strategies such as focusing on niches, embracing fintech partnerships, and remaining agile to ensure continued success....

In today's episode, Steve and Al talk with Gene Ludwig, former Comptroller of the Currency and a banking regulation, risk management, and fiscal policy expert. Gene shares some powerful insights into modernizing the banking industry. They discuss the importance of smart regulation that helps to balance banking activities and technological advancements, the need for regulators to have the tool...

On this episode Steve and Al talk with Jim Reuter, CEO and President at FirstBank. They discuss Jim's vision for FirstBank as an "open bank" by integrating with various software solutions to better serve their clients. They dive into the importance of leadership, fostering innovation, and talent development in the banking industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested...

In this episode of Plugged In, Al Dominick is joined in the studio by Anton Schutz, an experienced bank stock investor and founder of Mendon Venture Partners, a venture capital firm focused on early- to mid-stage technology companies. The two debate when bank M&A might pick up, the need to reduce expenses — to reinvest in technology opportunities — and the drive for deposits, deposits, deposit...

On today's episode of Plugged In, Steve Williams sits down with Brandi Gregory, Managing Director in Cornerstone Advisors’ Contract Negotiation and Payments practices.

Executing a business strategy requires courage, commitment and culture — points raised by Eric Sprink, the CEO of Coastal Community Bank. With Al Dominick, the two explore embedded finance, embedded fintech, executing on a BaaS strategy and why now is such an amazing time to be a community banker.

Collyn Gilbert, the Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Valley Bank takes Plugged In's hosts, Al Dominick and Steve Williams, behind the scenes of the $54B+ institution.  The three share quite a few laughs while talking about how to architect a strategy, areas of potential opportunities — and how to keep strategic planning from becoming a glorified budgeting activity.

The new CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, Lindsey Johnson, joins Al Dominick to breakdown recent regulatory actions, potential oversight on crypto and emerging small business trends.

Al and Steve crank up the volume with the founder of Second Curve Capital, Tom Brown. Starting with the state of talent in the tech sector, the three discuss current marketing volatility, how bankers continue to pay lip-service to going "branch light" and why culture remains king in the financial sector.

In advance of his retirement from Idaho Central Credit Union, Steve Williams and Al Dominick talk with Kent Oram, ICCU's CEO, about luck being where opportunity and preparation meet. With one of the most impressive growth stories in financial services, Kent shares his approach to keeping creative mindsets from "being crushed" by naysayers. Further, how the team's culture evolve...

With the CMO of Chainalysis, Ian Andrews, Al Dominick explores digital assets, on-chain identity and why business leaders should continue to lean in on blockchain — on the heels of FTX's collapes and this crypto winter.

While crypto craters, the business of banking continues to grow. Plugged In's Al Dominick is joined in studio by Ron Shevlin, the Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors. The two discuss how and where to accelerate banks' digital capabilities with the tech community's support.  Al gets Ron to reveal why he remains so bullish on the concept of Buy Now, Pay Later...why he belie...

Today our hosts Steve Williams and Al Dominick are joined by Tom Michaud, President & CEO at KBW. They talk about how investment banks are in a recession already, how bank regulation is going to be a very dominant part of the future, ESG, and much more.

Welcome to the first episode of Plugged In! For our first episode, our hosts Steve Williams and Al Dominick talk about 5 areas of growth and change that are relevant to all banks. The twin towers of transformation, why every basis point counts, how to think about technology from a performance management standpoint, the concept of scaling smart, and depoliticizing ESG.