Joining our host https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardswalters/ this week is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnerships at https://www.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 differences that shape these distinct markets. Ed and Simon discuss: - The pivotal role of adaptability in navigating the evolving landscape of financial services - Insights into the contrasting fintech practices between America and Europe, emphasizing the significance of cultural understanding in the industry - The critical importance of compliance in fintech partnerships

Stacey Armijo, the Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union, joins our host Drew Megrey to share her path to credit union leadership and discusses how Amplify has made strides to prioritize their member experience, including going fee-free on checking and savings accounts. Discussed in this episode: - Diversity in product development and the importance of aligning products with the needs of diverse customer demographics. - The strategic move towards fee-free banking, including the elimination of overdraft fees, prioritizing fairness, equity, and customer satisfaction. - Technological evolution and its impact on industry adaptation, from open banking trends to the integration of virtual reality in financial experiences.

The new year always brings change, and Leaders in Lending is no exception. Our long-time host, Jeff Keltner, is taking on new opportunities, but he is excited to pass the mic to a wonderful group of new co-hosts for this new era of Leaders in Lending! Moving into the host seat we have 5 co-hosts joining us, all with deep expertise in the current lending climate. https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardswalters/, VP account management at https://www.upstart.com/our-story https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsnow/, Head of solutions consulting at https://www.upstart.com/our-story https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-roach-2529845/, Senior Account Manager at https://www.upstart.com/our-story https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-megrey/, Senior Account Manager at https://www.upstart.com/our-story https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnsautterbeal/, Vice President of Lender Services at https://www.upstart.com/our-story Please join us to hear from each their perspective on the current economic outlook and what excites them for the year ahead.

2023 has been a big year for the advancement of AI across all industries. But how have these changes helped community banks scale and improve their lending portfolios? And how has taking that leap to partner with FinTechs been transformative? https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-fisher-79170a137/, president and CEO of https://www.tiogabank.com/, is a fifth generation community banker who believes incorporating partnerships to drive innovation is the best path forward for small banks. He joins Jeff to get into the specifics on what has worked (and what hasn’t) and why collaboration with FinTechs might not exactly be a risk, but a necessity. They discuss: - The burgeoning landscape of community banking and strategic partnerships with fintechs - Insights into decision-making, risk mitigation, and the challenges of navigating failed collaborations - The intersection of financial innovation, AI, and community connection- taking on the role of charitable foundations in the industry

Who would be bold enough to start a bank during a recession? https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-stevens-a16a68159/, President and CEO at https://www.oconeestatebank.com/, and his team were, and he has lessons to share on how the constraints actually helped to build the business. In this episode he reflects on the pivotal moment of launching a new bank during the 2007 recession. The entrepreneurial spirit that fueled this risky move has contributed to the institution's resilience and shaped a strong organizational culture. He also dissects how the unique model of community engagement through a foundation helps to balance high standards with effective leadership. Jeff and Neil discuss: - Leveraging opportunities for banking by being more entrepreneurial (how a focus on the construction industry powered them through the pandemic - Insights into building and maintaining a positive organizational culture - The unique model of community engagement and effective charitable giving via a foundation supporting over 50 organizations in local communities

With the right mix of innovation and growth, credit unions can prioritize community, culture, and informed decision-making in serving diverse markets. https://www.linkedin.com/in/corlinda/, SVP/Chief Retail Officer at https://www.unitusccu.com/, discusses the development and execution of their comprehensive strategic plan aimed at serving diverse markets. Driven by passionate leadership, their approach emphasizes authentic community engagement. Leveraging data insights, translation services, and strategic partnerships, the credit union tailored their offerings to meet the specific needs of their members. Join us as we discuss: - How Unitus Credit Union developed a three-year strategy targeting the Hispanic community, founded on trust-building and authenticity - Understanding how data analytics guides growth opportunities and can shape a credit union's product offerings - How a combination of strategic partnerships, employee involvement, and the integration of AI brought success to the credit union's lending program

AI is not inherently intelligent, but do we need our computers and machines to think like us? Some might be reluctant to test the boundaries of Generative AI intelligence, but https://www.linkedin.com/in/vosspeter/, CEO & Chief Scientist at https://aigo.ai/request-demo/, has spent his career figuring out how to build software that has common sense and can reason. He sees a distinct need in business for cognitive AI to go beyond what a programmer can dictate so that technology is anticipating, and solving, real-world problems efficiently. Businesses stand to dramatically reduce the cost of goods and services by having a lot more things automated- particularly banks and other businesses with vast customer facing workforces. Join Jeff and Peter as they discuss: - The capabilities and limitations of AI intelligence models in customer service - The necessity of embracing cognitive AI for achieving human-like intelligence - The transformative potential of advanced chatbot technology for Fintechs

Is your bank adapting to evolving credit demands? Banks and private lenders have been slow to adopt technology, but with shifting demands for credit products in both consumer and business markets, the imperative to offer a diverse portfolio of lending products is higher than ever. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcbarnett/, Founder and CEO at https://www.loanspark.com/, shares how banks are leveraging automation and the innovative ways technology is streamlining processes and increasing efficiency in the commercial lending landscape. Join us as we discuss: - The impact of customer preferences on the lending process - The role of technology in high-touch vs. low-touch communication - Key practices and insights for improving customer service

Your home page highlights your bank’s main points of focus — are you conveying the right message? Whether it be blog posts serving to inform and educate the community or new lines of products available for sale, your customers can get a grasp on what is important to you very quickly. If your homepage creates an incomplete picture of your business, it may be time for a brand refresh. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracebruins/, Marketing Officer at https://www.horiconbank.com/, joins the podcast after recently working on a massive brand refresh with critical insights for getting your message across the right way. Join us as we discuss: - The three core principles of a successful brand refresh - Enhancing communications and transparency for a cohesive brand image - The importance of embracing collaboration or competition with FinTech companies

For a community bank to connect with today’s clients and the clients of the future, they must be at the forefront of technology. https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-caffee-esq-7b366282/, SVP, Director of Retail Lending at https://www.web5.com/ found his way into the banking industry through law. His unique perspective and experience have allowed him to take non-traditional approaches to community, business and designing lending solutions. Darryl joins us to share how and why today’s smaller and community banks need to embrace a larger lending mentality to succeed in the marketplace. Join us as we discuss: - Empathy as an innovation driver and how understanding diverse perspectives is a key to growth - The importance of embracing a culture of adaptability and evolution - Leveraging data to make informed decisions and retain customer-centricity