The Allied Angle

Join Allied’s Vice President, Strategic Partnerships Randy Salser and Chief Client Lending Consultant Jack Imes as they unpack the latest lending and deposit trends shaping today’s credit unions and banks. From the current state of the industry and asset‐quality challenges to proven growth tactics, product diversification, targeted marketing, and technology enablement — you’ll hear practical strat...

On this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied’s Anne Holtzman, SVP of Client Experiences and Risk Management Services, and Cindy Bryant, SVP of Client Sales and Support demystify CPI. Together they unpack today’s regulatory spotlight, shifting lender and borrower expectations, and the tension between profit and purpose.      :47   Get to know Anne and Cindy.  7:55  The current state of CPI and how i...

In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience (UX) design are reshaping the future of financial institutions. Guests Brett Mitchell and Barrett Crites from Allied Solutions share how AI is moving beyond automation to build trust, enhance personalization, and deliver human-centered experiences. From virtual assistants to ethical design, we dive into the strategies...

Credit unions are facing rising fraud, liability, and insurance costs, prompting carriers to tighten underwriting, raise rates, and limit coverage – all while balancing member convenience with stronger risk controls. This episode explores the key threats driving these changes, how insurers are responding, and what credit unions can do to protect themselves and their members.    0:39  – Get to know...

Fraud is a team sport and a growing concern in auto lending. Join James Maguire, Senior Director of Marketing at Experian Automotive; Suzi Straffon, Director Finance Company Markets at Allied Solutions; and John Denison, Senior Vice President Sales Enablement Operations at Allied Solutions, as they dig into why collaboration is key when it comes to fighting fraud.    00:49 Get to know John, Suzi,...

Season three of The Allied Angle kicks off with Allied Solutions' CEO Pete Hilger. Pete shares 2024’s challenges, Allied's key accomplishments, and insights into navigating 2025’s evolving financial landscape - including AI, compliance, and innovation.   00:51  Reintroducing Pete Hilger.  04:02 Navigating the highs and lows Allied and other financial institutions faced in 2024. 06:19 The biggest a...

In this unique year-end episode of The Allied Angle, some of the industry’s most innovative and influential credit union leaders join Allied Solutions’ Nikki Warner, Mark Rodriguez, Bill Sarsfield, Anne Holtzman, and Jack Imes for a special “highlight of insights.” From attracting and engaging Gen Z members to navigating the complexities of auto lending, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and del...

In this episode of The Allied Angle, we discuss the rising risks facing auto lenders, especially in the wake of recent hurricanes Helene and Milton. Allied's Vice President Claim and REPO Plus Operations Scott Myers and 2nd Vice President RMO Product Management Mike Batchelor dive into the impacts on loan portfolios, the surge in GAP claims, and insurance rate hikes.      00:46   Meet Mike and Sco...

In this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied's Chief Legal Officer, Kelly Miller, and SVP Client Experience and Risk Management, Anne Holtzman, address the regulatory and compliance hurdles that lenders face when managing Collateral Protection Insurance (CPI) and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) programs.   In this episode:  :40  Meet Anne and Kelly 5:46  The partnership between business and legal...

In this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied's VP of Recovery Services Brooks Stewart along with special guest Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights for Experian Automotive, join the show to discuss the rise of delinquency rates and the cost of buying a vehicle in today's market.    In this episode:   00:42  -  Meet Brooks and Melinda 04:14  -  The trends that are contributing to...

The Allied Angle is back with Amy Level-Hearn, VP of Marketing & Communications. Tune in as she shares insights on the evolution of marketing in the financial sector, the importance of branding post-banking collapse and the rise of generative AI and digital transformation.    In this episode:   00:41 - Meet Amy Level-Hearn 03:33 - Amy's path to leading the marketing team for a company that sup...

Lending is continually evolving and changing, but what are the top concerns facing financial institutions today regarding lending? Learn how leveraging data, technology, and the impact of AI is changing the lending landscape in this panel discussion featuring Allied Solutions’ Mark Rodriguez and Jack Imes, along with special guest Josh McAfee from Callahan & Associates. This episode is part 2...

Lending is continually evolving and changing, but what are the top concerns facing financial institutions today regarding lending? Learn how leveraging data, technology, and the impact of AI is changing the lending landscape in this panel discussion featuring Allied Solutions’ Mark Rodriguez and Jack Imes, along with special guest Josh McAfee from Callahan & Associates. This episode is part 1...

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so the question is: How can you do more in that time to improve outcomes? Allied's Senior V.P. of Risk Management Operations, Doug Falvey, joins The Allied Angle to discuss innovation in RMO. [:26] Meet Doug Falvey [2:42] What is Risk Management Operations?  [5:13] What does "staying innovative" mean when it comes to RMO?  [7:45] The RMO team are problem sol...

Let's talk regulatory compliance. Governing bodies are cracking down on ancillary product refunds and more.  Allied's Peter Krall joins us to dissect the regulations and discuss how financial institutions can keep their borrowers protected.    In this episode...   [:27] Meet Peter Krall [4:20] What is Product Refund Liability? [6:51] The state of Product Refund Liability in Q1 2024 [7:51] How do c...

The financial industry is not immune to challenges in company culture and employee retention. That's why sales coaching, leadership training, and other key investments are critical to ensuring your financial institutions are set up for success. Allied's own Julie ann Wessinger, Director, Client Performance Strategies, joins the podcast to discuss the ROI benefits of improving your culture.    In t...

From AI and analytics to culture and more, tune in for an in-depth look at how financial institutions can innovate to keep up with the latest trends. Allied Solutions' EVP and Chief Growth Officer Mark Bugalski joins us for an insightful discussion on growth and innovation strategies in the financial services industry.    Stay up to date with current market trends by subscribing to the Allied Insi...

The Allied Angle is back for Season 2! To kick off the new year, we're talking with Allied Solutions CEO Pete Hilger to discuss the outlook for financial institutions in 2024. Join us as we dive into innovation, digital transformation, and more.    Stay up to date with current market trends by subscribing to the Allied Insights e-newsletter!   In this episode…   [0:39] Meet Pete! [4:28] What are f...

Featuring our favorite guests from 2023, join The Allied Angle team as we look back at the top moments from our inaugural season, including discussions around the liquidity crisis, optimism about new tech and so much more. Stay tuned to the end to hear some faux pas and bloopers from throughout the year. 

It's official, SundaySky and Allied Solutions have won the People's Choice Award for digital innovation in Finance. Join Allied's Charlie Peterson and SundaySky's Ian Gold in this special podcast release as they dish about gaining market advantage through video, digital innovation, artificial intelligence and more.    In this episode…   [0:35] Meet our guests [0:59] Congratulations, SundaySky! [2:...

In this episode, we discuss the wonky economic and financial challenges that financial institutions are facing, such as interest rate fluctuations, technology's influence, liquidity concerns, and the need for growth strategies in a rapidly changing financial landscape with Allied Solutions' Chief Lending Consultant Jack Imes. Read more about the wonky economy in the blog Wonkonomy .   In this epis...

Strategic planning is just around the corner and organizational transformation is a topic for many financial institutions. Allied's EVP, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer Dave Hilger joins the pod to discuss how to optimize your people, processes, and organization for future growth.      In this episode…   [0:35] Meet Dave Hilger [4:31] Why is planning for growth imperative to a company’s fu...

Capture your customers' attention with video and by leveraging artificial intelligence.  Allied's own Charlie Peterson, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, joins the pod to discuss how Financial Institutions can improve the customer experience.  In this episode… [0:30] Meet Charlie Peterson [1:54] What is the Attention Economy and why should financial institutions be familiar with it?...

Allied Solutions’  Senior Vice President, Mortgage Solutions Group Jason Sweeney joins The Allied Angle to discuss the current state of mortgage, LPI, and the future of technology in lending. In this episode… [0:35] Meet Jason Sweeney [2:00] What’s your go-to karaoke song? [2:49] What brought me into this industry is pure chance. [3:22] What has changed the most [in this industry] is an intriguing...

New and used car prices, sky-high interest rates and the looming impacts of inflation. Director of Finance Company Markets, Suzi Straffon, breaks down the latest trends in Auto Finance.  In this episode… [0:31] Meet Suzi Straffon [1:35] How did we get here? [2:34] I saw an interesting stat – 88% rise in index pricing from April 2020-January 2022. [5:25] Also on the table is a potential recession,...