Banking Transformed with Jim Marous

In today's episode of Banking Transformed, we're excited to have Chris Maloof, Go-To-Market President at MeridianLink, a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for financial institutions. In this episode, we'll be discussing the challenges banks face in their digital transformation journeys and how financial institutions can create seamless, integrated customer experiences across the entire customer lifecycle. Chris also shares how financial institutions of all sizes can harness the full potential of their data, gain a 360-degree view of their customers, and deliver targeted, timely solutions that increase engagement, sales and revenues. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by MeridianLink MeridianLink® (NYSE: MLNK) powers digital lending and account opening for financial institutions and provides data verification solutions for consumer reporting agencies. MeridianLink’s scalable, cloud-based platforms help customers build deeper relationships with consumers through data-driven, personalized experiences across the entire lending life cycle. MeridianLink enables customers to accelerate revenue growth, reduce risk, and exceed consumer expectations through seamless digital experiences. Its partner marketplace supports hundreds of integrations for tailored innovation. For more than 20 years, MeridianLink has prioritized the democratization of lending for consumers, businesses, and communities. Learn more at meridianlink.com.

In an era where digital transformation is reshaping the financial services landscape, Alkami Technology, Inc. has taken a bold step forward with the launch of their Digital Sales & Service Maturity Model Assessment. This groundbreaking tool empowers banks and credit unions to evaluate their digital maturity and provides actionable insights to navigate their digital journey. Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Allison Cerra, Chief Marketing Officer at Alkami and Casey Hogarth, Senior Director at Emerald Research Group about the development and deployment of this industry-first self-assessment tool and explore how it can revolutionize the way financial institutions approach their digital strategies. Allison and Casey emphasize the importance of understanding where financial institutions stand in their digital journey and how the assessment serves as a compass to navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Alkami Alkami’s Digital Sales & Service Maturity Model Assessment was developed to help banks and credit unions self-assess their digital maturity - and then take action on the results. Take this 5 question assessment and compare your responses to benchmark data collected from hundreds of U.S. based regional and community institutions and determine just how digitally mature your FI is. Get your results now, and with it details to support you on your path forward. Link to assessment tool: Sales and Service Digital Maturity Model Assessment

Today, we're diving deep into the world of business banking on the Banking Transformed Podcast. As the landscape of commercial banking continues to evolve, it's crucial for financial institutions to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the changing needs and expectations of their business clients. Joining me for this insightful discussion are Jacob Leick, Director of Product Management at Alkami Technology and Mandy Lopez, Lead Product Manager at Alkami. We explore the importance of building strong relationships with business clients, adapting to the consumerization of commercial banking, maximizing the revenue potential while reducing back-office expenses and leveraging technology to level the playing field against larger competitors. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Alkami Alkami Technology, Inc. empowers financial institutions to evolve and thrive in the new digital age of banking. Our premium digital banking platform powers regional banks and credit unions to grow confidently, innovate at speed, and adapt nimbly—all while providing a secure, frictionless experience to the consumers and businesses they serve—24/7/365. Accelerate your digital transformation journey with Alkami today. Visit alkami.com for more.

In today's episode of the Banking Transformed Podcast, we are joined by Daragh Morrissey, the Director of AI at Microsoft Worldwide Financial Services, joining us to discuss the exciting world of generative AI and its potential applications in banking. We delve into various use cases and adoption patterns, including internal organizational applications, enhancing customer experiences, and the development of new product offerings made possible by this new technology. Daragh provides a roadmap for banks looking to adopt generative AI, emphasizing the importance of defining a clear strategy, choosing the right copilot for specific use cases, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and reskilling. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding how generative AI is reshaping the banking industry and unlocking new opportunities for innovation and growth. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Microsoft: Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. More at Microsoft.com/financialservices

In today's episode of the Banking Transformed podcast, we are revisited by Jacob Morgan, four-time best-selling author and renowned leadership futurist. Jacob has worked with and interviewed hundreds of top business leaders around the globe to uncover the most critical leadership trends shaping the future of work. Jacob shares his groundbreaking research on the top 7 leadership trends for 2024 and how they will impact the banking industry. Jacob reveals actionable strategies to help you and your organization navigate the complexities of modern leadership. From leading with vulnerability to enhancing employee experience, prioritizing skills over jobs, and embracing AI and hybrid work models, Jacob offers practical strategies for banking executives looking to future-proof their organizations.

I’m thrilled to welcome Melina Palmer to the Banking Transformed podcast. Melina is the CEO of The Brainy Business and author of the new book “The Truth About Pricing: How To Apply Behavioral Economics So Customers Buy.” Understanding customer psychology to optimize pricing strategy is more important than ever. Melina shares her unique perspective on incorporating behavioral economics into banking to create positive outcomes for institutions and account holders alike. We discuss common mistakes banks make with pricing, how to better understand the motivations and needs of modern banking customers, and tips for optimizing product pricing strategies. This interview is essential listening for any bank looking to leverage behavioral psychology for sustainable digital growth.

I’m delighted to have Dr. Robin Kiera, financial services marketing expert and author of the new book, Attention Hacking: The Power of Social Media Selling in Insurance and Finance, on the Banking Transformed podcast. Robin discusses how social media isn't just for consumer goods but can be a powerful tool for financial products as well. Robin also shares insights from his book on how to make financial products go viral, the importance of becoming an influencer in your market, and why traditional marketing channels are fading away in favor of dynamic, strategic content on platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook. Finally, Robin suggests that as technology and consumer behaviors evolve, so too must the strategies employed by finance professionals to remain relevant and successful.

I'm excited to have Kim Snyder, CEO and Founder of KlariVis, on the Banking Transformed podcast. Kim brings over a decade of financial leadership experience to KlariVis, with a goal to create a leading-edge, easy to use, transformational data analytics solution that enables community financial institutions to compete with the large mega-banks. We discuss how KlariVis compiles data across disparate bank systems into unified dashboards, giving financial institutions actionable insights to drive smarter decision making, greater efficiency, and accelerated growth. Through the democratization of insights, informed decisions can delivered faster than in the past. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by KlariVis KlariVis® is the only cloud-based, core-agnostic enterprise dashboard and analytics solution built for bankers, by bankers. The KlariVis platform compiles and aggregates high-value, actionable data across disparate systems into an intuitive, interactive dashboard that provides financial institutions of all sizes with timely insights that empower teams, drive profitability, and improve productivity at every level of the organization. For more information visit klarivis.com/features

I’m thrilled to have Rochelle Gorey, founder and CEO of fintech startup Springfour, and Anuj Vohra, Head of North American Collections at BMO Financial Group on the Banking Transformed podcast. We’ll be exploring BMO’s partnership with Springfour to move beyond transactions and debt collection by linking customers with financial resources. This innovative collaboration aims to show empathy, build loyalty, and strengthen financial health, making banking truly work better for consumers through mission-aligned innovations. This discussion will make it clear that combining capabilities for economies of technology and empathy can construct a brighter future for customers and institutions alike.

Today, we're thrilled to have Michael Abbott, Senior Managing Director – Global Banking Lead at Accenture on the Banking Transformed podcast. On this episode, we explore the top banking trends for 2024, diving into a world where AI, cloud computing, and new regulatory landscapes are redefining the banking industry. We discuss the need for banks to adapt to changing customer expectations and the growing importance of sustainable banking practices. We also highlight the need for speed, emphasizing the practical applications of these trends. The conversation provides a roadmap for banks and credit unions to navigate the evolving banking ecosystem and embrace these transformative trends.

I’m thrilled to have global futurist Mike Walsh back on the Banking Transformed podcast. Mike's expertise in AI-powered organizations and his vision for the Fifth Industrial Revolution offers invaluable insights for businesses navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology. In this episode, we explore how generative AI is reshaping the future of work, the delicate balance between humans and machines, and the transformative potential of AI as the foundation of modern businesses. The future is being rewritten by AI, but still led by the creativity of visionary and adaptive talent. The lessons shared today apply across all sectors - obsolete skills matter less than learning new ones.

I'm thrilled to welcome back Gabe Krajicek, CEO of financial solutions provider Kasasa on the Banking Transformed podcast. Gabe joins us to discuss the challenges community institutions must address today and how strategic products and marketing support can drive long-term relationship-based growth. Gabe provides compelling case studies demonstrating Kasasa's impact on community banking. He stresses the importance of distinguishing between real growth and transient gains, offering strategic advice for institutions navigating today's financial landscape. Gabe's vision for a robust, community-focused banking future leaves us with a deeper understanding of the pivotal role Kasasa plays in the industry. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by Kasasa Kasasa is a financial technology provider committed to driving real growth for community banks and credit unions to help them recapture market share. Since 2003, their branded retail products, and expert consulting services have helped their clients attract, engage, and retain consumers nationwide. Today over 600 community banks and credit unions rely on Kasasa to manage over $20B of core deposits. For more information visit https://offer.kasasa.com/offer-kasasa

To stay competitive, banks and credit unions must evaluate the viability of platform strategies that can provide superior customer experiences, tap into network effects, and leverage data and AI for strategic differentiation. Our guest on the Banking Transformed podcast wrote the playbook for winning in the platform economy. Senior Prophet Partner, Ted Moser, explores pragmatic steps banks can take to compete in the platform economy, offering examples of creative platform models used by industry giants like Amazon, Uber, and Airbnb. Ted’s insights provide a treasure trove of actionable strategies, setting the stage for banks to thrive in the face of massive industry change.

I'm excited to have Grant Karsas, VP of Digital Experience at Travis Credit Union, on the Banking Transformed podcast. Grant oversees the member-facing digital channels at Travis CU, one of the largest credit unions in California with nearly $5 billion in assets and more than 245,000 members. Grant shares insights into how Travis CU leverages modern technologies to deepen member relationships through personalized experiences, earning the credit union industry awards for excellence. We also discuss how a community-based credit union can compete successfully in a crowded market filled with major banks and new fintech entrants.

How prepared is your organization to move forward without fear in the face of ransomware, cyberthreats, ongoing digital transformation, and hybrid cloud adoption? More importantly, if your organization is disrupted, how fast can you recover and move ahead confidently? To navigate these complex waters, we're joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Rick Vanover is Senior Director of Product Strategy at Veeam. Veeam is at the forefront of providing cutting-edge solutions for data protection and management in the cloud era. Rick shares insights on how Veeam's innovative approaches are safeguarding financial institutions against these threats and ensuring operational continuity in the face of ongoing digital transformation and cloud adoption. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by Veeam Software In today's financial service landscape, security, compliance, and agility are paramount. Veeam’s Kasten K10 solution emerges as a top choice for banking and insurance companies looking to protect their Kubernetes data with leading security and compliance features like end-to-end encryption and RBAC. Kasten K10 supports a broad ecosystem of data services, empowering financial institutions to scale quickly and securely.Find out more https://www.kasten.io/free-kubernetes

We're honored to host Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) on the Banking Transformed podcast. ICBA serves as the leading voice promoting the interests of over 5,000 community banks which constitute the vast majority of all banks in the country. In this episode, we'll uncover the current dynamics of the community bank ecosystem, confront the challenges these institutions face, and explore the opportunities that lie ahead. We also discuss the key regulatory issues of 2024 and celebrate the milestones under Rebeca's leadership at ICBA. Her perspectives on the future of community banking, digital transformation, and the role of local banks in fostering economic growth provide valuable insights for financial executives across all asset categories.

I’m so pleased to welcome Megan (Caywood) Cooper, newly appointed Chief Product Officer at ClearBank, to the Banking Transformed podcast. Boasting experience across startups, big banks, and platforms, Megan provides a unique insider lens, having helped disrupt finance firms of all sizes from the inside out. We’ll hear about her professional journey and the difference between fostering innovation at industry stalwarts versus scrappier upstarts. Megan will also share her wisdom around the ongoing challenges women leaders face in finance along with how she achieves work/life balance while raising a family. Finally, Megan shares what excites her about the industry’s trajectory and why she sees abundant opportunities still ahead as finance continues transforming.

I'm excited to welcome Pål Krogdahl, Director of Technology Strategy and Advisory Services at Samlink, to the Banking Transformed podcast. Pål recently co-authored an insightful report titled "Banking Outlook: Navigating the Transformative Trends in Banking," providing an in-depth look at the key forces reshaping the industry. From economic conditions to emerging technologies, competitive dynamics to customer behaviors, this report explores the most pivotal trends on the horizon for 2024. With over 20 years of experience advising banks on digital transformation and technology strategy, Pål shares his expert perspectives on the defining challenges and opportunities ahead for financial institutions, and how technology factors into strategies for remaining relevant amid digital disruption.

The launch of Ally’s self-built AI platform Ally.ai in collaboration with Microsoft represents a measured yet trailblazing foray into next-gen technologies for banking. Rather than reacting to hype, Ally has taken a principled approach focused on productivity, security, scalability and an improved customer experience. Ally’s emphasis on co-piloting change also signals the value of strategic partnerships between banks and tech players in steering AI’s responsible adoption, providing a blueprint for financial institutions of all sizes eyeing productive AI integration. Joining me on the Banking Transformed podcast to discuss this exciting collaboration is Priya Gore, General Manager, Data & AI for US Financial Services at Microsoft and Sathish Muthukrishnan, Chief Information, Data and Digital Officer at Ally. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Microsoft: Microsoft and its partner ecosystem help banks reduce cost and risk, modernize core systems, and delight customers and employees to achieve differentiation and spur sustainable growth. More at Microsoft.com/financialservices

Allison Cerra, Chief Marketing Officer at Alkami Technologies joins me on the Banking Transformed podcast. Allison has seen marketing evolve tremendously over her career and is an expert on harnessing insights to fuel marketing campaigns and optimize return on investment. But, it's not just about big data; it's about the right data — transforming information into actionable strategies that drive customer engagement, loyalty and trust. Allison and I explore how banks can leverage analytics to create insight-driven campaigns, the importance of personalization in marketing, and how technology is shaping the future of customer interactions in banking.