FIsionaries

At TopLine Financial Credit Union (TopLine), a merger created the opportunity to build a $1.2 billion organization while rethinking the technology that would support its future. In this episode of FIsionaries, Jim Marous speaks with Colleen Jakes, Senior Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer at TopLine, about the people, data, and technology decisions that made their merger successful. As the two credit unions came together, both were nearing the end of their digital banking contracts. Rather than defaulting to either institution’s existing platform, TopLine used the upcoming renewals as an opportunity to conduct a full-scale digital banking evaluation. A cross-functional team representing both organizations compared platforms through an open RFP process, live demos, and a shared scorecard that weighed member experience alongside features and functionality. The process gave employees a meaningful voice in the decision and helped create shared ownership across the new organization. Upon completing their evaluation, the TopLine team felt confident selecting Alkami as their strategic partner as they embarked on the next chapter of their growth journey. The conversation sheds light on the work behind a low-disruption conversion, from cleaning source data to preserving usernames, bill pay, scheduled transfers, and ACH connections as members moved to Alkami’s Digital Banking Platform. TopLine expected weeks of elevated call volume; instead, most questions were from business members who discovered capabilities they had not previously had access to. Jakes also reflects on how important employee enablement and training are to a successful merger. Understanding the “why” behind each process was just as important as how to use the tool itself. For financial institutions considering M&A, this episode offers a candid look at how thoughtful technology selection, employee involvement, and member readiness can accelerate growth long after a deal is signed. Sponsored by Alkami Technologies.

What does relationship banking really mean when the back office gets in the way? Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous speaks with John Hutcherson, SVP and COO at State Bank of Texas, about how a highly focused community bank is using digital transformation to make service faster, simpler and more useful for the customers it knows best. Hutcherson explains why operations are central to the customer experience, especially for a bank serving hoteliers, money service businesses, and relationship-driven commercial clients. The discussion explores how State Bank of Texas is reducing friction, improving workflows, strengthening digital banking, and ensuring technology supports the bank’s culture rather than being layered on top of outdated processes. This episode is about more than buying better technology. It is about knowing who you are as an institution, listening before changing, choosing the right partners, and building a digital experience that helps employees spend less time processing transactions and more time building relationships. Sponsored by Alkami Technologies. #FIsionaries #Alkami #StateBankOfTexas #CommunityBanking #DigitalBanking #RelationshipBanking #BankingOperations #BankingInnovation #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #CommercialBanking #BankingLeadership #FintechPartnerships

What happens when a credit union CEO comes from outside the industry and refuses to accept legacy thinking as the cost of doing business? Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous speaks with Darius Wise, President and CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union, about how an unconventional leadership path shaped the transformation of a $360 million credit union in Colorado. Wise shares how his background as a pastor and nonprofit leader helped him focus Red Rocks on a clear “why”: enriching lives. From there, the credit union built a culture of change, modernized its tech stack, improved digital account opening, launched AI-powered member support and pushed the organization to move with more speed. This episode is not just about digital transformation. It is about leadership, purpose, culture and the courage to move faster without losing sight of the people you serve. Sponsored by Alkami Technologies. #FIsionaries #Alkami #RedRocksCreditUnion #CreditUnions #CommunityBanking #DigitalBanking #BankingLeadership #CultureChange #DigitalTransformation #AIinBanking #MemberExperience #CreditUnionGrowth #FintechPartnerships

Community banking has always been built on relationships. But when customers no longer need to walk into a branch to make decisions, those relationships must start earlier, move faster and become more relevant across digital channels. Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous speaks with Jeffrey Wright, Digital Communications Manager at Colony Bank, about how community banks can use data, timing and digital engagement to build trust before a customer ever talks to a banker. Wright shares how Colony Bank is using real-time insights, customer journeys, segmentation and automation to move beyond generic campaigns. The goal is not more communication. It is more relevant communication that helps customers take the next best step without feeling sold to. Sponsored by Alkami Technologies. #FIsionaries #Alkami #ColonyBank #CommunityBanking #DigitalBanking #CustomerEngagement #BankMarketing #DataDrivenBanking #BankingInnovation #FinancialServices #DigitalTransformation #BankingLeadership #Personalization

What does it take for a $500 million credit union to compete like a much larger institution? Live from Alkami Co:lab in San Diego, Jim Marous sits down with Shonna Shearson, President and CEO, and Diana La Point, Chief Growth Officer, of First US Community Credit Union. The conversation explores how the credit union is moving beyond being “the best kept secret” by prioritizing digital onboarding, member experience, data-driven engagement, stronger partnerships and internal culture. Shonna and Diana explain why digital transformation is not about buying more technology. It is about knowing who you are, understanding how your members are changing, reducing friction and making sure employees see themselves as the brand. For community banks and credit unions trying to grow with limited resources, this episode shows how smaller institutions can use focus, speed and the right partnerships to punch above their weight. Sponsored by Alkami Technologies. #FIsionaries #Alkami #CreditUnions #DigitalBanking #BankingTransformation #CommunityBanking #MemberExperience #BankingInnovation #FinancialServices #DigitalTransformation #CreditUnionGrowth #BankingLeadership #DataDrivenBanking