Episodes

Throughout history, most financial institutions have viewed loans as commodity products. Pricing and distribution — the economics of the selling model — have been the primary differentiators when bringing loan products to market. However, according to Richard Wada , Chief Lending Officer at Patelco Credit Union, there’s a huge opportunity to differentiate through exceptional experience, and more importantly, through strong relationship management throughout the borrower life cycle. In this epi...

It’s tough for smaller credit unions to compete in a digital transformation world. Most of the time, they just don’t have the IT budgets to play in that space. But with the help of credit union service organizations, or CUSOs, and fintech partnerships, credit unions can close the gap in the digital divide. In this episode, Drew Megrey, CEO of Ohio Teamsters Credit Union, shares how credit unions are adapting to a digital world. We discuss: - Why members prefer a personal touch - How credit ...

No matter how many shiny advertisements fintechs put out, it would be a mistake to confuse them for omens marking the end of traditional financial institutions like credit unions. Credit unions have been building something for generations no fintech can compete with them on: trust. Fintechs won’t replace credit unions — but the successful ones from both camps will partner with one another. That’s something today’s guest, Dan Berger, President & CEO at NAFCU (National Association of Federally-...

When it comes to the future of banking, the best service may be no service at all. In other words, the best service may be self-service. Mark Pregmon, GM of Consumer Lending Line of Business at USAA, joins the show today to share his thoughts on why building things digitally requires a different way of thinking and why making processes fast, easy, and simple is the key to customer satisfaction. At USAA, Mark is responsible for credit underwriting, core servicing, and default management for con...

In a digital world, legacy core banking systems just aren’t allowing banks to meet the demands of the modern customer. With the rise of digital banking, cloud core banking systems are entering the picture. Tyler Craft, SVP, Head of VirtualBank & Fintech at First Horizon Bank, shares why his team decided to transition the VirtualBank brand to a cloud core system and how the lessons from that experiment are transferred across the larger First Horizon ecosystem. Tyler heads VirtualBank, a digital-...

With the shift to digital, people are coming into retail branches less often — but for more important things. Because of this transition, banks are making the switch to experiential banking — less focused on routine transactions and more on becoming trusted financial advisors. In this episode, Jim Wechsler, Chief Retail Lending Officer at WSFS Bank, shares how his bank has been transitioning to this new model and why he thinks a fintech partnership makes sense. Jim has been in banking for over 1...

In modern banking, survival depends on meeting the needs of the modern consumer, whether that’s through digital transformation or through new products and services. But many banks don’t have the capabilities or the resources to manage that on their own. That’s where fintech partnerships can really help move the business forward. In this episode, Barry Cooper, Chief Sales Officer at First Federal Bank of Kansas City, shares his insights into fintech partnerships and how they helped his company e...

Banks and financial institutions play an integral role in the pursuit of true equality in America. By opening up new opportunities and increasing access to capital, they can build a more economically-inclusive world. In this episode, Sui Lang Panoke, Sr. Vice President - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at Zions Bank, shares why DEI needs to be deeply integrated into your business strategy to be successful and sustainable. Sui Lang has over two decades of experience fighting for social, racial, an...

Many mid-sized banks are struggling to find new asset classes and new opportunities to offer retail banking services. Unsecured lending has become a viable way for them to broaden their product portfolio on the credit side. In this episode, Jim Matera, EVP/Chief Retail Banking Officer at Apple Bank, talks about how his firm got involved with unsecured lending and how technology is becoming the new driver of loyalty in banking. Jim has been with Apple Bank for over 30 years. Currently, he is in...

Credit unions maintain a distinct advantage over larger banks. As a community-based institution, they are well positioned to truly understand the unique financial needs of their members. Now, with the proliferation of digital technologies, credit unions can continue to meet the evolving needs of their members — even if they’ve moved across the country. In this episode, Barry Roach, President & CEO at WPCCU, talks about how credit unions are pivoting to meet the challenges and opportunities of a ...

Emerging leaders of the consumer lending industry all have a few things in common. On this week’s episode, Upstart’s Senior VP of Business Development, Jeff Keltner talks about what he’s learned from nearly a decade of working in the consumer lending...

Consumers are more comfortable buying online, even big ticket items like cars. A significant impediment to ecommerce in the auto industry is securing the loan and creating a frictionless digital experience. In this episode, we interview Val Gui, Vice President of Automotive Lending at Upstart, about trends in the automotive lending space and get some insight on how he forecasts the future of the industry. What we talked about: - Increased awareness about automotive lending to financial instituti...

Banks are the economic first responders during our current economic challenges. How do regulations support banks in their work to support Americans? On this episode of Leaders in Lending, we had a fantastic conversation with Rob Nichols, President and CEO at American Bankers Association (ABA) about regulations, economic recovery, and the optimistic future of banking. What we talked about: - Potential policy and regulation changes - The economic landscape in the near future - ABA and their r...

The lending landscape is always evolving. Recent changes in government administration, combined with the shifting dynamic of economics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated this evolution. Nat Hoopes, Vice President of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at Upstart shares his financial lending insight from DC, the changes underway, and the way banking is evolving to keep up with a rapid digital transformation. Tune in to hear about: - A sharp focus on the administrati...

Customers Bank, with a revolutionary crossover between FinTech and traditional banking, is truly disrupting and innovating past the financial industry as we know it. One year later, we look back and ask, how did AI-enabled underwriting models perform in a time of uncertainty? Sam Sidhu, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Customers Bank joins us this week to discuss the bank’s enormous success, how they got there, and where they’re headed next. What we talked about: - Lending practic...

Changing company culture and implementing technology to better align with emerging digital preferences can be challenging but essential to staying ahead of the curve. Nate Longfellow, Head of Digital, Product Strategy and Change Delivery - Home Lending at Wells Fargo, works with business partners and customers to provide them with the right capabilities to succeed. This involves implementing technology, new ways of conducting business, and strategic initiatives working in tandem to produce the ...

For a lot of smaller community banks and credit unions, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges as the world makes a hard left turn into a more digital focused landscape in every area, including banking. Gary Fan, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer at Gateway Community Bank, joins us to talk about the shift to digital and what it means for smaller financial institutions. Key topics covered: - Shifting to a more digitally enabled world - Balancing traditional offer...

Because of historically low interest rates, insane levels of liquidity within the banking system, and changing consumer needs, some banks need to find alternative ways to generate revenue. That means embracing change and bringing on new partners. In this episode, we talk with Matt Gallman, VP, Enterprise Risk Officer at Drummond Community Bank, about why the riskiest strategy a bank can take is not changing at all. Key Topics Covered: - Entering the consumer lending space during the pandemic ...

Most banks are sitting on a goldmine of data that could be used expansively across different products and services to build a relationship with their customers for life. Jim Deitch, Founder & CEO at Teraverde Management Advisors, joins us to talk about how banks are underutilizing one of the biggest strategic advantages they have. What we talked about: - The strategic advantage banks have in lending - Why many don’t use the opportunity - How banks can define the best way to innovate - The ...

Some clients want a 20 minute conversation with a trusted advisor. Some clients want to pick up their phone and get a loan in 5 minutes. Banks that are able to meet both needs have a tremendous advantage over those who primarily provide one or the other. In this episode of Leaders in Lending, our host talks with Dan Pogue, President of Commercial Retail and Small Business Sales at Midwest BankCentre, about the future of digital transformation in banking. What they talked about: - How to prep...

There’s a lot of buzz about the “artificial intelligence revolution” and the impact it’s going to have on businesses as we know it. As AI and machine learning emerge in the consumer lending space, the technology has proven to provide dramatic wins for both lenders and consumers. So what are companies doing today to help them be competitive and innovative in the unsecured lendingspace? On this episode of Leaders in Lending, we chat with our very own Paul Gu. Paul is the Co-Founder and Head of P...

In a digital world, threats to banking business models often appear on the horizon. How can banks stay aware of trends in future technology that have the potential to become disruptive threats? Marc Butterfield, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Disruption at First National Bank of Omaha, joins us to talk about the digital transformation and how his bank identifies threats and determines how to respond to them. What we talked about: - 3 areas of disruption in banking - How model developme...

Let’s face it. For being an industry that hits people so close to home, the banking and lending industry isn’t one that’s known for its ability to build genuine connections with customers. Not a lot of people seem to have feel-good stories about how someone in the banking industry made their day. But that can change. In a world where more and more people are turning to digital banking products and services, it’s becoming more important than ever before to dial in the customer service. The pers...

It’s not necessary to give up the fundamentals of banking in order to bring innovation to the industry. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive. In this episode, we speak with Cathy Myers — Executive Vice President at First Financial Bank with 37 years of experience in the industry — about why we should view “digitization” as simply a modern extension of traditional banking practices. What we talked about: - Staying true to the fundamentals of banking while innovating - Leveraging data t...