The DigIn Podcast

Like in the industries its reporters cover, the lack of Black representation in business and financial media has created blind spots. Predominantly white newsrooms often miss stories about systemic racism or fail to reach an audience of more than one demographic.  In the wake of this summer's Black Lives Matter protests, there are serious implications for financial services, the reporters covering them — and an emerging group of professionals creating their own media. What can journalists like us learn from these Black voices?

Asset and capital allocations often exacerbate systemic racism across the financial services in some surprising ways. Innovators in the fields of asset management, banking, impact investing and pensions suggest there are also many ways to disrupt the cycle. Shifting the flow of capital could help reduce or eliminate institutional barriers and racial discrimination.

The lack of Black representation in the financial services stems from two interconnected problems. Black professionals face significant hurdles once they break into the industry. And the presence of nearly 175,000 Black financial professionals displays that their widespread absence at the upper executive ranks isn't a product of there being an insufficient talent pool. 

Racism at the branch and in the workplace makes it harder for Black Americans to gain access to financial services. In the second episode of the Access Denied podcast, innovators and researchers from the fields of human resources, banking and wealth management explain how industries leave people out — and what needs to be done to change it.

In this featured episode from the Arizent special series, net worth disparities and the roles housing and mortgage discrimination play in Black homeownership show how it's impossible to close the gaps without eliminating racism.

The pandemic allowed Argo Group to ramp up an already evolving IT and digital organization, Jeff Strohschein, SVP and Global CIO, tells the podcast this week.

In the post-COVID-19 era, IA Capital's Andy Lerner anticipates more investment in low-touch capabilities that allow insurers to acquire customers less invasively.

Deloitte's Gopi Billa joins the show to talk about what the insurance workplace will look like as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and carriers make choices about their workforce.

Travelers' EVP and chief technology and operations officer for Travelers, joins the show to discuss the company's tech priorities before, during, and after the pandemic; and how they're keeping up their recruiting and onboarding of key tech talent during this crisis.

SMA's Mark Breading joins the show to share insights from his company's research into how insurance carriers are deploying tech budget dollars in the wake of the pandemic.

J.D. Power's Tom Super joins the show to talk about how auto insurance loyalty is being affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Forrester analyst Ellen Carney joins the show to discuss how insurance companies are likely to spend their digital and technology budgets in the wake of COVID-19, in order to adapt to the current situation and beyond.

With insurers rapidly deploying digital capabilities in order to service socially distancing customers, Jamie Yoder of Snapsheet thinks these habits could stick and become status quo going forward. 

Rick McCathron, chief insurance officer of the digital home insurance carrier Hippo, talks rapidly ramping up work-at-home and virtualizing home inspections as the coronavirus fallout spread.

Allstate's Don Civgin, CEO, Protection Products and Services, talks to Nate about the auto insurance leader's strategy in the COVID-19 era.