Banking Transformed with Jim Marous

As part of the Executive Leadership Series, sponsored by Naehas and recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, i was joined by Colin Walsh, the founder and CEO of Varo Bank – a true pioneer in the financial services industry. In 2020, Varo made history by becoming the first consumer fintech company to receive a national bank charter, transforming from an ambitious startup into America's first all-digital, nationally chartered bank. Under Colin's leadership, Varo has revolutionized banking through innovative technology, human-centered design, and a mission to improve the financial health of millions of Americans. We explore Varo's remarkable journey, their challenges, and how they leverage AI and product innovation to create sustainable competitive advantages in an increasingly crowded digital banking landscape. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Naehas Naehas provides financial institutions with a centralized platform to efficiently manage product creation, pricing strategies, compliance, and disclosures. By automating complex processes and integrating advanced governance tools, Naehas significantly reduces operational risk and accelerates execution. Trusted by 6 of the 10 largest U.S. banks, our solution supports top-tier institutions in delivering precise, compliant offers with speed and accuracy. ⁠https://www.naehas.com/?utm_source=financialbrand&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Banking_Transformed_podcast

Regional and community financial institutions face unprecedented challenges from both banking giants and nimble fintech startups. But size isn't the determining factor for success in today's financial landscape – rather, it's the ability to foster an innovative culture, make strategic partnerships, and leverage data effectively. As part of the Executive Leadership Series, sponsored by Naehas and recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, we spoke with Victor Alexander, Head of Consumer Banking at KeyBank, a leader who understands the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in financial services. Victor will explore how leadership styles impact organizational agility and highlight KeyBank's approach to collaboration with solution providers that extends capabilities without massive internal investment. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Naehas Naehas provides financial institutions with a centralized platform to efficiently manage product creation, pricing strategies, compliance, and disclosures. By automating complex processes and integrating advanced governance tools, Naehas significantly reduces operational risk and accelerates execution. Trusted by 6 of the 10 largest U.S. banks, our solution supports top-tier institutions in delivering precise, compliant offers with speed and accuracy. ⁠https://www.naehas.com/?utm_source=financialbrand&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Banking_Transformed_podcast

Product innovation in banking faces significant challenges, including legacy systems, regulatory constraints, risk aversion, and the need to balance digital transformation with traditional services. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we explore the dynamic landscape of banking product management with Puneet Chhahira, VP and Head of Product Management and Marketing at Infosys Finacle. Our conversation reveals how financial products are evolving beyond traditional services to meet changing customer expectations and technological possibilities. Puneet shares valuable insights on how banks can foster innovation cultures, accelerate digital transformation, and effectively implement AI technologies to enhance both product development and customer experiences. We also discuss the critical role leadership plays in driving these changes and how banks can balance technological advancement with human-centered design principles.

While consumer digital banking has seen tremendous innovation, commercial and wealth management sectors often lag behind, creating frustration for some of banking's most valuable customers. We're joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Alex Jimenez, Lead Principal Consultant at Backbase. Alex helps us understand the critical differences between consumer, small business, commercial, and wealth solutions – and why a one-size-fits-all approach fails in today's competitive landscape. He also explores the unique needs of the commercial and wealth segments, examining the performance gaps currently plaguing the industry. The message is clear – financial institutions can no longer afford to focus exclusively on consumer digital experiences while neglecting their commercial and wealth management clients.

In an industry where legacy infrastructure often dates back decades, core conversions represent immense challenges and transformative opportunities. As part of the Executive Leadership Series, sponsored by Naehas and recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, we had the opportunity to speak with Jennifer Smith, Chief Information Officer of Zions Bank, who has recently led one of banking's most complex technological undertakings: a complete core systems modernization. Jennifer will share invaluable insights from Zions Bank's journey, from the initial business case through implementation and beyond. Her firsthand experience navigating this intricate process offers a unique window into how financial institutions can successfully approach these mission-critical transformations while maintaining business continuity and enhancing customer experience. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Naehas Naehas provides financial institutions with a centralized platform to efficiently manage product creation, pricing strategies, compliance, and disclosures. By automating complex processes and integrating advanced governance tools, Naehas significantly reduces operational risk and accelerates execution. Trusted by 6 of the 10 largest U.S. banks, our solution supports top-tier institutions in delivering precise, compliant offers with speed and accuracy. ⁠https://www.naehas.com/?utm_source=financialbrand&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Banking_Transformed_podcast

This episode of the Banking Transformed podcast, as part of the Experience Factor series, sponsored by Q2, tackles the persistent gap between recognized trends and strategic priorities revealed in the 2025 Retail Banking Trends report. Fabio Biasella from EngageFI helps listeners develop frameworks for ensuring technology investments directly enhance customer experiences rather than simply adding capabilities. We explore why only 7% of institutions have fully achieved their digital transformation goals despite widespread recognition of its importance, and how experience-led approaches can accelerate progress. The conversation will also provide practical guidance for building organizational resilience through customer-centric transformation, helping banks and credit unions create a sustainable competitive advantage regardless of marketplace shifts.

As financial institutions navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, they face the dual challenge of driving innovation while maintaining the security and reliability that customers expect. Dominic Venturo, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at U.S. Bank, has been at the forefront of US Bank's digital transformation, helping his organization develop resilient systems that not only respond to change but anticipate it. As part of the Executive Leadership Series, sponsored by Naehas and recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, our conversation explores how modern resilience in banking has evolved beyond disaster recovery to become a dynamic capability that enables personalization, real-time engagement, and proactive risk management. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Naehas Naehas provides financial institutions with a centralized platform to efficiently manage product creation, pricing strategies, compliance, and disclosures. By automating complex processes and integrating advanced governance tools, Naehas significantly reduces operational risk and accelerates execution. Trusted by 6 of the 10 largest U.S. banks, our solution supports top-tier institutions in delivering precise, compliant offers with speed and accuracy. ⁠https://www.naehas.com/?utm_source=financialbrand&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Banking_Transformed_podcast

In the financial services industry, we often see a critical gap between technological potential and practical implementation. Financial institutions must bridge this divide, moving beyond the excitement of new technology to achieve measurable outcomes that impact both customer experience and operational efficiency. Today, we're joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Tara Lacey, Regional Vice President of Customer Success at Backbase. Tara has made her career focusing on what truly matters in financial technology – not just helping to build innovative solutions, but ensuring they're effectively deployed to create real business value. We explore the evolving philosophy of customer success in banking technology – where the emphasis isn't on selling solutions but on ensuring their successful deployment and adoption. We also discuss why implementation strategy is often more important than the technology itself.

With significant shifts in Washington's political dynamics and new regulatory challenges emerging across the banking sector, our discussion today will explore how the CBA is evolving to address these changes while balancing the needs of financial institutions and consumers alike. As part of the Executive Leadership Series, sponsored by Naehas and recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, Lindsey Johnson, President and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, provides valuable insights into how the banking industry is adapting to a changing regulatory landscape in 2025. Johnson also discusses the CBA's evolving role in navigating the challenges of a new administration. Finally, Johnson shares her perspective on how banks can navigate the uncertainty of leadership changes at key regulatory agencies while maintaining focus on consumer needs. This episode is sponsored by Naehas. Naehas provides financial institutions with a centralized platform to efficiently manage product creation, pricing strategies, compliance, and disclosures. By automating complex processes and integrating advanced governance tools, Naehas significantly reduces operational risk and accelerates execution. Trusted by 6 of the 10 largest U.S. banks, our solution supports top-tier institutions in delivering precise, compliant offers with speed and accuracy. ⁠https://www.naehas.com/?utm_source=financialbrand&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Banking_Transformed_podcast

Since 2020, financial institutions have faced a perfect storm – rising funding costs, increased delinquencies, and now, a dramatic surge in sophisticated fraud attacks. We're joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by two experts from TransUnion who are at the forefront of understanding and combating these threats: Joshua Turnbull, VP of Card and Banking Strategy, and Craig LaChapelle, VP of Market Development. They'll share insights on why fraud losses are becoming more painful in today's high-cost environment, how fraudsters have adapted their strategies post-pandemic, and most importantly, how financial institutions can build resilience against these evolving threats. Whether you're concerned about the 37% increase in synthetic identities, the fact that 30% of online applications now come from bots, or the alarming spike in early default rates, this conversation will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to protect your institution and customers. This episode is sponsored by TransUnion. As part of a global information and insights company, the TransUnion Card and Banking business supports over 5,000 financial institutions in the US — from the largest card issuers and retail banks to community-based institutions and technology-driven card issuers. TransUnion has a world class identity spine – spanning consumer identity and behavior, email, device and calling data – that is recognized as a leader by analysts and trusted by the largest banks to enable their fraud strategies. https://www.transunion.com/extracreditpod?atvy=%7B%22264995%22%3A%22Experience+B%22%7D

In an industry where customer trust is paramount, financial institutions like Ally are navigating the delicate balance between rapid innovation and robust security. As part of the Executive Leadership Series, sponsored by Naehas and recorded live at the Financial Brand Forum, we'll explore how Ally has leveraged generative AI to streamline operations, foster innovation, and enhance customer experiences while maintaining the trust fundamental to banking relationships. I'm thrilled to be joined by Sathish Muthukrishnan, Chief Information, Data, and Digital Officer at Ally Bank, one of America's leading digital financial services companies. Sathish will examine broader industry trends and provide a forward-looking discussion of Agentic AI's potential to revolutionize banking relationships, including the ethical considerations involved.

The banking industry faces unprecedented pressure to shift from reactive service models to proactive engagement strategies. However, many institutions are still hindered by fragmented customer data, disconnected channels, and limited AI capabilities. Banking's future belongs to institutions that can harness unified data, artificial intelligence, and seamless experiences to predict and fulfill customer needs before they're articulated. I'm joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Tim Rutten, Chief Marketing Officer at Backbase, to discuss how financial institutions can unlock their growth potential in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving market. We discuss how leading banks break down traditional barriers between products, channels, and business units to create cohesive customer journeys that build deeper relationships and unlock new revenue streams. Tim also provides actionable insights on prioritizing high-impact use cases that can be put into action today.

In less than two years, Jenius Bank has surpassed $2 billion in deposits and loans, and recently launched a next-generation mobile and online banking platform that promises to transform how customers understand and manage their finances. The focus has been on leveraging technology to deliver personalized insights, eliminating fees, and helping customers live what they call "richer lives." I'm excited to welcome back John Rosenfeld, President of Jenius Bank, the digital banking division of SMBC MANUBANK to the Banking Transformed podcast. John discusses how digital banking must evolve beyond convenient transactions to become a financial partner that provides actionable insights for customers. By focusing on financial wellness, data optimization, and the mind-money connection, Jenius Bank creating differentiation in a highly competitive digital banking landscape.

Despite having accumulated vast amounts of customer data for decades, many financial institutions struggle to effectively harness this information for strategic advantage. Legacy systems, organizational silos, and competing priorities often leave valuable data isolated and underutilized. Meanwhile, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies has created both immense opportunities and significant challenges for banks trying to keep pace. I'm joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Lee Wetherington, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at Jack Henry™ & Associates. Lee has been at the forefront of helping financial institutions navigate these complex data and AI challenges. This episode is sponsored by Jack Henry. Jack Henry™ is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens the connections between people and their financial institutions through technology and services that reduce the barriers to financial health – with the purpose of empowering people and communities to gain the financial freedom to move forward. Visit jackhenry.com to learn more. https://www.jackhenry.com/topi... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6970 (Jack Henry) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackHenryAssociates/ (Jack Henry) Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/JH_Fintech Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackhenry_fintech/

In a world saturated with digital noise, where customer loyalty is increasingly rare, how can traditional banks not just survive, but thrive? I'm joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Kartik Ramakrishnan, CEO of Financial Services at Capgemini, to discuss the eye-opening findings from their just-released 2025 World Retail Banking Report. This report reveals some concerning trends, including the a vast majority of customers are indifferent or outright dissatisfied with their current banking experiences. Meanwhile, banking executives are struggling to convert prospects into customers, with significant gaps between what consumers want and what banks are delivering. But within these challenges lie extraordinary opportunities for transformation. We explore how leading financial institutions are using the customer-centric "flywheel growth model" to attract, engage, and delight digital-first customers in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In an evolving banking ecosystem, CMOs must approach AI as a transformative force while avoiding the pitfalls of short-term thinking. To drive differentiation, forward-thinking marketing leaders must leverage first-party data foundations, AI tools, and human creativity and stop marketing like it's in 1999. On today's episode of Banking Transformed, my friend Eric Fulwiler, who is the co-founder and CEO of the marketing consultancy Rival, joins me to discuss how true marketing innovation will come not from the AI tools themselves but from proprietary customer insights and creative application of AI outputs. Eric also shares practical frameworks for CMOs to evaluate AI investments, build team capabilities, and maintain a strategic perspective amid rapid change while providing tips for ongoing AI learning.

According to Avanade's latest AI Value Report, 59% of these institutions have already embarked on AI transformation journeys, with a third claiming completion. Yet beneath this enthusiasm lies a complex reality: many banks expect quick returns while still building fundamental capabilities in data management, security, and infrastructure. Joining me on the Banking Transformed podcast are Jeromey Farmer, Head of Data & AI for North America at Avanade, and Daragh Morrissey, Director of Artificial Intelligence for WW Financial Services at Microsoft. Together, we'll unpack the report's findings, explore real-world AI use cases delivering value now, examine implementation opportunities and challenges, and look ahead to what's next, including the transformative potential of agentic AI.

As financial institutions navigate rapid technological change, evolving customer expectations, and increasingly complex regulatory environments, industry associations like ProSight play a crucial role in providing guidance, resources, and community. My guest on the Banking Transformed podcast is Debbie Bianucci, who led BAI for nearly 30 years before becoming President and CEO of ProSight. She, shares insights on the complementary strengths each organization brought to the merger and how their combined capabilities create a more comprehensive support system for financial institutions. The conversation examines how ProSight is helping banks navigate digital transformation, changing customer expectations, regulatory complexity, and emerging risks. Debbie highlights ProSight's expanded suite of offerings, including decision support tools, research, learning programs, and peer networking opportunities designed to equip financial leaders with practical strategies for success.

Small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges alongside remarkable opportunities as they respond to the digitalization of engagement, an uncertain geopolitical landscape and increasing consumer expectations. More than ever they want their financial institution to be a partner in their journey. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we sit down with Manny Tocco, Chief Operating Officer of Business Banking at Citizens Bank. Manny shares his insights on the major trends impacting small businesses and how financial institutions must reimagine their small business banking model from the ground up, balancing high-tech capabilities with high-touch relationship management. Whether you're a banking executive seeking to enhance your small business strategy, a fintech leader looking for partnership opportunities, or a small business owner navigating the evolving financial landscape, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on creating meaningful banking relationships in a digital-first world that still craves human connection and expertise.

As financial institutions navigate the challenges of digital transformation while maintaining relevant physical spaces, organizations must focus on reimagining how to connect with customers in an increasingly digital world. This must include a shift from transaction-focused branch designs to experience-centered environments that prioritize consultative interactions. I'm joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by EJ Kritz, Chief Experience Officer at DBSI. EJ shares his expertise on the evolution of branch banking design and customer experience improvements. Recorded live at the Visionary Voices event in Chandler, Arizona, the conversation digs into how data-driven design decisions are helping banks optimize their physical footprint while enhancing customer engagement. Whether you're looking to revitalize your branches or enhance your overall customer journey, this conversation offers valuable insights for financial leaders ready to transform their approach.

Financial institutions face unprecedented challenges in product innovation and customer communication. From managing complex compliance requirements to optimizing offer management across multiple channels, banks struggle with outdated systems that hinder their ability to compete effectively. Today, we're joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Rab Govil, CEO and founder of Naehas, whose platform transforms how banks create, manage, and execute financial products and offers. Rab shares practical insights on how banks can reduce time-to-market for new products, ensure consistent messaging across channels, and maintain regulatory compliance without sacrificing innovation. Whether you're struggling with disclosure management, seeking to improve offer personalization, or modernizing your product pricing strategy, this conversation provides actionable solutions for banking's most pressing operational challenges. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Naehas Naehas accelerates value for financial institutions by leveraging deep expertise to strengthen how products, pricing, and compliance are structured, governed, and executed. Our platform enables institutions to align regulatory oversight, offer execution, and hyper-personalized engagement within a single, scalable framework. By integrating automation, structured governance, and data-driven decision-making, Naehas empowers financial institutions to focus on trust, operational transparency, and sustained growth. Visit: https://www.naehas.com/?utm_source=Banking+Transformed&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=FB

In today's rapidly evolving world of fintech and digital transformation, success is often painted as a glamorous journey of resilience and grit. But the reality is far more complex—and far less forgiving. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we sit down with renowned fintech leader and author Leda Glyptis to explore the hard truths behind building what lasts. Drawing from her new book, Beyond Resilience: Patterns of Success in Fintech and Digital Transformation, Leda reveals that survival in this industry is not about luck or brilliance — it's about mastering the art of doing hard, often unglamorous work, consistently and with precision. Whether you're leading digital change within a bank or launching the next disruptive fintech, this conversation will shift your perspective on what it really takes to beat the odds. If you're ready to move beyond the hype and uncover the playbook for building the future of financial services, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

The 2025 Retail Banking Trends and Priorities Report reveals an industry in transition. While 51% of institutions are actively implementing digital transformation efforts, 22% struggle with implementation or have halted their efforts. Key priorities focus on improving digital experiences (52%) and enhancing data capabilities (33%), while AI adoption is slowly expanding beyond security into customer service and process automation. Most interestingly, despite the continued focus on improving digital delivery, organizations, especially credit unions, are still building new branches. My guest on Banking Transformed, Mark Sievewright, Chief Strategy Officer for SRM, shares his perspective on where banks and credit unions focus their efforts and whether some of their investments may be misguided. He also discusses how the findings challenge conventional wisdom about digital transformation and highlight the complex balance between innovation and customer expectations.

While banks have successfully implemented GenAI for internal processes and back-office operations, they struggle to achieve meaningful ROI on customer-facing solutions like agent assist and Conversational IVR due to regulatory compliance requirements, data privacy concerns, and model explainability needs. This results in significant hurdles when deploying customer-facing applications. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we're joined by Manish Gupta, CEO of Corridor Platforms, and Toby Brown, Managing Director of Global Retail Banking Solutions at Google Cloud, to discuss their groundbreaking partnership and how AI and cloud technologies can transform banking decisioning capabilities, enabling institutions to compete effectively while maintaining regulatory compliance. Our guests will also share insights on overcoming implementation challenges, managing GenAI risks, and creating sustainable frameworks for long-term success in digital banking. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Corridor Platforms Financial institutions have made substantial investments in GenAI capabilities, yet face significant challenges in deploying high ROI customer-facing applications such as agent assist and Conversational IVR solutions. As banks' Model Risk Management and Compliance teams grapple with novel GenAI risks without regulatory precedents, Corridor's GenGuardX (GGX) platform emerges as a comprehensive solution designed by industry experts to bridge the gap between innovation and risk management. For more information: https://ggx.corridorplatforms.com/

Several key data trends are transforming the competitive landscape of banking. First, the emergence of Agentic AI is prompting institutions to reconsider how they organize and use customer data. Second, vendor consolidation is compelling banks to take greater control of their data strategies. Third, the growing sophistication of AI models requires higher-quality data to provide personalized experiences while addressing bias risks. In this episode of Banking Transformed, Don Permezel, VP of Data & AI at nCino, joins us to explore how banks must evolve beyond mere data collection to unlock true customer value through AI-powered personalization. The discussion reveals that while many banks excel at data collection and storage, they often fail to turn this data into actionable intelligence that enhances customer value. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by nCino nCino is the leading provider of intelligent, best-in-class banking solutions, focused on streamlining operations for financial institutions. Its Cloud Banking Platform is a single end-to-end platform that can enhance loan origination, customer onboarding, compliance, and portfolio management for banks, credit unions, and lenders. Over 1,850 financial institutions worldwide use the platform to solve business challenges, digitize processes, and enhance the customer experience through speed and convenience. For more information visit www.ncino.com/en-US

Legacy core systems, often decades old, restrict innovation and limit the ability to offer personalized digital products. Traditional "rip and replace" approaches to modernization are risky, expensive, and time-consuming. Organizations need a solution enabling speed and scale innovation while preserving existing infrastructure investments. On this episode of the Banking Transformed podcast, Ahon Sarkar, SVP and general manager of Helix at Q2 discusses a revolutionary approach to core banking modernization. By combining Q2's digital banking platform, Helix's cloud-based core, and extensive fintech partnerships, Q2 Fabric enables financial institutions to launch modern digital products without replacing legacy systems. The conversation explores how this solution helps banks and credit unions compete in today's digital landscape while minimizing risk and maximizing ROI.

Three-quarters of banks report that legacy infrastructure poses significant barriers to implementing new digital solutions. This creates a complex challenge of balancing innovation with addressing budgetary constraints and maintaining operational efficiency. In this episode of Banking Transformed, Barb Morgan, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Temenos, discusses how financial institutions can navigate this technological crossroads, examining strategies for optimizing tech spending, modernizing infrastructure, and leveraging emerging technologies like generative AI to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. We also explore the evolving role of leadership in driving technological change, including the critical balance between innovation and risk management. The conversation further addresses the industry's growing talent challenge – from recruiting tech-savvy professionals to upskilling existing teams.

Financial institutions of all sizes face mounting pressure to compete with tech giants, global banks and nimble fintechs while meeting rising customer expectations for personalized experiences. The key to success lies not in matching their scale, but in leveraging data more effectively through modern core banking systems. Jeffrey Kendall, Chairman and CEO of Nymbus, is joining me today on the Banking Transformed podcast. We will discuss how data-enabled core banking is transforming financial institutions and enabling them to deliver personalized experiences that rival the largest banks and most nimble fintechs. We also will explore the intersection of vertical banking strategies, real-time data analytics, and the future of community banking.

Banks and credit unions must innovate faster and deliver flexible, scalable, and differentiated offerings to keep up with account holders' changing expectations. This is best achieved through collaborations with solution providers and fintech organizations that offer customizable digital-first offerings. On this episode of the Banking Transformed podcast, Deena Otto, COO of Stanford FCU, and Dan Collins, Director of Digital Development at Visions FCU, share how their organizations are revolutionizing their approach to innovation. Rather than building solutions from scratch or undertaking time-consuming custom integrations, these institutions leverage pre-built components and standardized integration frameworks to deploy new solutions rapidly. Learn how these two credit unions “punch above their fighting weight" by reducing what would typically be year-long development cycles into projects deliverable within three to six months.

The banking industry stands at a pivotal crossroads as we approach 2030. While the past quarter-century was defined by digital transformation, which brought unprecedented efficiency and convenience, it also created an unexpected paradox: the loss of personal connection in banking relationships. In this episode of Banking Transformed, Michael Abbott, Senior Managing Director and Global Banking Lead at Accenture, discusses how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies will help banks bridge this gap. They will enable them to combine digital efficiency with the personal touch that defined banking's golden era. We also explore how banks can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape where technology alone is no longer enough to win customer loyalty.

A strong web presence isn't just an advantage—it's essential for survival and growth. In today's competitive market, a powerful digital footprint can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Understanding how to optimize your digital presence is crucial, whether you want to increase brand awareness, drive customer engagement, or boost conversions. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we are joined by Anil Aggarwal, the CEO of Milestone. Anil dives deep into the strategies and principles behind building a commanding digital presence. From content creation and audience engagement to measuring success and adapting to changing technologies, he shares the key elements of a successful online strategy. Anil also shares ways financial institutions of all sizes can go beyond using their website for brand building to creating new business opportunities. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by Milestone Milestone's Digital Experience platform including SEO-first CMS and Generative AI platform empowers financial businesses to be easily found online, deliver personalized digital experiences, enhance customer engagement, and drive conversions—powered by data insights, personalized content, and generative AI. We enable our clients to lead their industries with technology that drives growth and measurable results and have over 10,000 websites on our platform across multiple verticals. URL: https://www.milestoneinternet.com/

According to recent Q2 research, 74% of people across generations want more personal banking experiences, and 70% trust their financial institutions to create those experiences using data and AI. Yet, many banks and credit unions struggle to deliver the level of personalization consumers expect from their digital experiences. On this episode of the Banking Transformed podcast, Anthony Ianniciello, VP of Product Management at Q2, and David Sant, Chief Strategy Officer at Cyprus Credit Union, explore how financial institutions can transform commodity banking transactions into differentiated, personalized experiences that build lifetime relationships. Our guests share insights from both the technology and implementation perspectives, discussing real-world challenges and solutions in building a modern banking relationship strategy.

The recently released Business Banking Digital Maturity Report provides unprecedented insights into how financial institutions transform their business banking capabilities for a digital future. This research is unique because it goes beyond measuring digital capabilities to examine the culture, talent strategies, and operational models that separate leaders from followers. In this episode of Banking Transformed, Allison Cerra, the marketing director at Alkami Technologies and Casey Hogarth from Emerald Research Group discuss this first-of-its-kind research. We explore why some organizations are growing 10 times faster than their peers, how smaller institutions are successfully competing against larger competitors, and what it takes to build a digitally mature business banking operation. Most importantly, our guests will provide a roadmap for how any financial institution can accelerate its digital transformation journey.

Mid-sized financial institutions face unprecedented challenges. They must compete with larger banks that have massive technology budgets and nimble fintechs that can quickly deploy innovative solutions. The pressure to deliver sophisticated products and seamless digital experiences while maintaining the personalized service that distinguishes regional banks has never been greater. Today's guest, Matt Wind, head of product management at Popular Bank, joins the Banking Transformed podcast. He brings a unique perspective to these challenges, having recently transitioned from a 26-year tenure at Comerica Bank to a leadership role at Popular Bank. The discussion explores critical decisions regarding technology partnerships, innovation strategies, and the balance between building in-house solutions and partnering with third-party providers.

Embedded financial products and flexible payment solutions are reshaping how consumers interact with banking services. As commerce increasingly shifts toward integrated experiences, the ability to seamlessly embed financial services — from buy-now-pay-later options to comprehensive lending solutions — directly into the purchase journey has become critical for merchants and financial institutions. Terry O'Neil, Head of Connected Commerce for Citi Retail Services and Head of Strategic Partnerships for Citi U.S. Personal Banking, joins the Banking Transformed podcast to discuss how the convergence of traditional banking capabilities with modern digital experiences creates new growth opportunities while challenging established business models. The discussion explores the impact on consumers, merchants, and financial institutions as we move toward an increasingly integrated financial ecosystem.

Today on the Banking Transformed podcast, we're joined by Jaime Dominguez, Principal Product Marketer at Q2, to discuss their groundbreaking report on cross-generational banking preferences. This study, conducted in partnership with Harris Research, offers crucial insights into how financial institutions can deliver personalized experiences across different age groups. We discuss the surprising similarities in banking preferences across generations, the high level of trust in the banking industry, and the strong desire for personalized experiences. We'll also delve into the role of AI in fraud detection, the importance of data-driven personalization, and Gen Z's unique banking behaviors. The findings challenge some common assumptions about generational differences in banking preferences and highlight important opportunities for financial institutions.

Traditional financial institutions are rapidly evolving in response to technological innovation, changing consumer expectations, and economic uncertainties. From the rise of digital-first banking solutions to the decline of cash transactions, from embedded financial services to the emergence of digital currencies, the very foundation of banking is being reshaped. Jan Bellens, Leader in the Global Banking Practice at EY, joins us on the Banking Transformed podcast. He provides a global perspective on the state of banking transformation, regulatory frameworks, and the unique challenges and opportunities financial institutions face in uncertain times. He also provides guidance for financial institutions hoping to become more future-ready in 2025 and beyond. Finally, we explore how leading banks must reimagine their infrastructure, highlighting that operational resilience has become the new competitive advantage in banking.

Digital banking success hinges on more than lists of features and technological capabilities. First principles thinking in banking design starts with the fundamental question: What do users truly need to accomplish their financial goals? This approach, combined with rigorous user-centric design, has revolutionized how financial institutions deliver digital experiences. Today's guest, Ty Griffin, Senior Head of UX/UI at Alkami, joins the Banking Transformed podcast. He shares insights on how Alkami recently became the first technology provider Certified by J.D. Power for providing "An Outstanding Mobile Banking Platform Experience."* Listeners will gain practical insights into creating distinctive digital banking experiences that drive engagement, satisfaction, and relationship growth. Listeners will also learn how to balance innovation with security and regulatory requirements. *J.D. Power 2024 Mobile App Platform Certification ProgramSM recognition is based on successfully completing an audit and exceeding a customer experience benchmark through a survey of recent servicing interactions. For more information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

Traditional financial institutions face mounting pressure from fintech disruptors, big tech companies, and evolving regulatory frameworks. The rise of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms, embedded finance solutions, and AI-driven services fundamentally alters how financial products are delivered and consumed. To explore these changes and better understand how banks and credit unions must prepare, we're joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by two leading voices in banking and fintech evolution: Brett King, renowned futurist and bestselling author, and Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors. Together, we discuss how technological advancements, changing consumer behavior, and market forces are reshaping the future of financial services. The conversation covers the evolution of primary banking relationships, the impact of embedded finance, and how traditional institutions can compete in an increasingly digital marketplace. My guests also offer insights into which organizations are best positioned to succeed in 2025 and beyond.

Competing as a $1 billion financial institution puts pressure on operational efficiency and technology investment. However, modest size also presents opportunities. These institutions are typically large enough to invest in necessary technology while remaining agile enough to adapt quickly to local market needs and maintain close community ties. On the Banking Transformed podcast, Brian McEvoy, Chief Retail Banking Officer at Webster Five Savings Bank, joins us. With extensive experience at national banks and community institutions, Brian brings unique insights into building successful community banking organizations in today's digital age. Our discussion explores how smaller banks can compete effectively while maintaining their community-focused mission.

Welcome to the second part of our episode, where we turn the tables in celebration of our 5th anniversary at Banking Transformed, I'm honored to be interviewed my senior producer, Leah Haslage, from Evergreen Podcasts. In this two-part episode, we discuss the journey of the Banking Transformed podcast, the evolution of the banking industry, and insights into the future of financial services. We explore how the podcast has chronicled the remarkable transformation of banking during one of the most disruptive periods in financial services history. In this and the previous episode, we discuss the major trends shaping the industry, memorable guest insights, and my predictions for the future. Both episodes offer a unique perspective on how digital disruption has transformed banking and provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Today, we're turning the tables. In celebration of our 5th anniversary at Banking Transformed, I'm honored to be interviewed my senior producer, Leah Haslage, from Evergreen Podcasts. In this first part of a two-part episode, we discuss the journey of the Banking Transformed podcast, the evolution of the banking industry, and insights into the future of financial services. From our first episode to our latest discussions on artificial intelligence and digital innovation, we explore how the podcast has chronicled the remarkable transformation of banking during one of the most disruptive periods in financial services history. In this and our following episode, we discuss the major trends shaping the industry, memorable guest insights, and my predictions for the future. Both episodes offer a unique perspective on how digital disruption has transformed banking and provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.