Banking Transformed with Jim Marous

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

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.

As we stand on the brink of 2024, it is important to unravel the seismic shifts poised to redefine the industry over the next year and beyond. Digital disruption, shifting consumer behaviors, emerging technologies and evolving regulations are combining to reshape the industry at dizzying speed. I’m joined on the Banking Transformed podcast by Brett King, a trailblazer whose foresight has continually heralded the next wave of financial innovation. Together, we dissect the advancements and upheavals that will reshape the banking world in 2024 and peer into the future, envisioning what banking might look like as we approach the dawn of 2030. More than ever, bankers must understand these trends and harness the opportunities ahead of us in order to thrive in the years ahead.

Today on the Banking Transformed podcast, we dive into a discussion about the coming decade with none other than Rohit Bhargava, a trend curator and author of the compelling book, "The Future Normal." Rohit's insights challenge conventional wisdom and give us a thought-provoking glimpse into how society can evolve in the realms of living, thinking, and thriving at a time when change is happening faster than ever before. With his book providing a roadmap of the significant changes ahead, we explore the implications for individuals, businesses, and indeed, the future of banking. This enlightening conversation will expand your perceptions of what's possible and how you and your organization can be future-ready.

Generative AI is pushing financial institutions to rethink how they work in exciting ways. Early adopters are already seeing the benefits. But, before financial institutions can reap the rewards, there are considerations and lessons to build on. Prime among them is a warning: the most dangerous thing about AI is assuming that it only delivers productivity. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we are joined by Anu Sachdeva, global solutions & service line leader for banking and capital markets at Genpact, a global professional services firm focused on delivering outcomes that transform businesses. Anu and I talk about the opportunities and change that generative AI can bring to financial institutions, the four key considerations for financial institutions and other enterprises to follow, the steps toward integrating gen AI most effectively, and the use cases that offer unexpected possibilities. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by GenPact With 25 years of experience leading digita

In this episode of Banking Transformed, we delve into the world of generative AI with Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors. As data continues to be the foundation of AI applications, we explore the potential of generative AI in financial services, as well as the practical realities and limitations financial institutions need to consider. Moreover, we touch on the competitive and regulatory landscape and how financial leaders can navigate it when adopting generative AI solutions. In the crystal ball segment of our discussion, Ron shares his vision for the future of generative AI in the financial sector and provides valuable insights into what financial leaders must be doing today to prepare for the AI-powered tomorrow.

Joining us on the Banking Transformed podcast is Rob Rubin, general manager of financial services at Insider Intelligence. In this interview, we unravel the latest developments in retail banking, including the intense competition for deposits amidst economic uncertainty, changes in digital marketing strategies, recent payment and lending innovations, the increasing role of trust, and the potential impact of generative AI. Rob provides perspectives on how banks can respond to these trends and best position themselves for the future at a time of immense challenges ... but also unique opportunities for those organizations willing to embrace change.

Today, we welcome James White, general manager of banking at Total Expert, to the Banking Transformed podcast. In today's digital world, understanding customers and delivering personalized experiences have become critical capabilities for banks to drive growth. However, many institutions still struggle to gain a complete view of each customer and orchestrate relevant engagements across channels. Our discussion with James White explores how banks and credit unions can leverage customer intelligence, personalize journeys, and leverage human + digital touchpoints to transform relationships and performance. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by Total Expert Total Expert is the leading fintech software company that delivers a purpose-built customer engagement platform for modern financial institutions. Total Expert unifies data, marketing, sales, and compliance solutions to provide a cohesive experience across the customer lifecycle. Total Expert turns customer insights into actions to in

In this episode of Banking Transformed, we have the privilege of speaking with Jon Budd and Dr. Jorge Jimenez, the CEO and president of Juniper Payments (a PSCU Company). The guests provide valuable insights into the evolving payments landscape, discussing the challenges and opportunities surrounding payments modernization and offering advice to financial institution leaders looking to navigate these changes successfully. The episode also provides perspectives on the technologies and trends poised to shape the payments industry's future, from delivering instant payments to managing fraud and the potential of alternative payment options. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by Juniper Payments, a PSCU Company PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated financial technology solutions provider, supports the success of more than 2,400 financial institutions and processes nearly 7.7 billion transactions annually. Committed to service excellence and focused on continuous innov

Joining us on the Banking Transformed podcast is Alex Tapscott, co-founder of the Blockchain Research Institute and author of the highly anticipated book, 'Web3: Charting the Internet’s Next Economic and Cultural Frontier’. In this interview, we explore the world of Web3 and discuss how Web3 differs from today's internet, what components are real versus hype, where this technology may be headed next, and its potential impacts on banking and financial services. Alex also discusses high-impact potential Web3 use cases for banks like reinvented payments, lending and investments, and shares how banks can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the Web3 revolution.

In today's digital era, consumer expectations for personalized and seamless experiences are higher than ever. For banks, optimizing engagement to drive loyalty and satisfaction presents both challenges and opportunities. To explore how banks can leverage data, analytics and technology to better understand and serve customers, we're joined by Devesh Khare, CPO at MeridianLink on the Banking Transformed podcast. We discuss how banks must reinvent consumer engagement to be future-ready. By leveraging data, analytics and technology financial institutions will be better equipped to understand consumers and deliver personalized experiences at speed and scale. 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 da

JB Orecchia, president and CEO of SavvyMoney, joins me today on the Banking Transformed podcast. SavvyMoney is a leading provider of personalized credit education, scores, reports and monitoring solutions. JB has over 35 years of experience driving innovation in financial services with deep expertise in credit, data and technology. In this episode, we explore SavvyMoney's product roadmap, the convergence of credit education and personalization, the vital role of data, insight, and technology in driving engagement and the state of fintech and banking collaborations. We also discuss how generative AI is set to revolutionize credit solutions and financial well-being across the entire banking ecosystem.

According to our Banking Transformed podcast guest, Alexia Cambon, senior director of research at Microsoft, “There is no going back to the way we worked before. Flexibility is no longer seen as a perk by employees, but as a right.” Flexible working has produced a ‘crisis of trust’ and a ‘productivity paranoia’ in employers, but there needs to be a mindset shift and recognition that ‘performance does not equal presenteeism,’ states Cambon. The pandemic and the emergence of generative AI have radically changed how employees experience corporate culture, and firms must embrace the new reality. The question will be whether leadership is ready for the changes the workplace of the future presents. 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

In this episode, the Banking Transformed podcast is at Sibos 2023 in Toronto, Ontario where we are joined by Judith Pinto and Prakash Pattni from IBM who are at the forefront of revolutionizing banking through hybrid cloud solutions. We explore how hybrid cloud can support complex banking workloads, foster innovation, and drive advanced technology strategies. We'll also delve into the crucial aspect of managing risk in hybrid cloud implementations within the banking sector. Whether you're a banking professional, a technology enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of finance, this conversation is a must-listen. This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by IBM IBM is a leading provider of enterprise AI, hybrid cloud architecture, security and ESG insights to the global financial services sector. Our deep industry expertise, extensive portfolio of services and solutions, and robust ecosystem of fintech partners, empower collaboration, innovation, and creation. As a trusted partner to b

With their unique preferences, behaviors, and technological fluency, Gen Z and younger consumers are reshaping the landscape of banking products, channels, and engagement strategies. With this in mind, how do banks connect with and build loyalty among the emerging Gen Z demographic. What technologies, products and messaging matters? Joining us on the Banking Transformed podcast is a true expert in the field, Brendan Coughlin, Vice Chairman and Head of Consumer Banking at Citizens. Brendan has extensive experience in navigating these dynamic shifts, providing invaluable insights into this very demanding segment of the population.

The digital revolution is transforming banking as we know it. Consumers today want personalized, seamless financial services integrated into the platforms and apps they use daily. How can traditional banks adapt to this demand for "embedded finance"? On this episode, we explore the critical steps banks must take to embrace embedded banking and thrive in the platform economy. Our guest on the Banking Transformed podcast is Shanker Ramamurthy, Global Managing Partner Banking & Financial Markets, IBM Consulting. We discuss the key findings from IBM's latest research on this banking transformation imperative.

In today's competitive landscape, financial institutions must adopt a customer-centric culture focused on loyalty and lifetime value to thrive. My guest on the Banking Transformed podcastis Wayne McCulloch, Chief Customer Officer at Alkami Technology. Wayne lays out a proven framework for organizations to become truly customer-obsessed. As the author of the best-selling book, “The Seven Pillars of Customer Success”, Wayne brings deep expertise on embedding customer-first approaches across an organization. Join us as we explore how Wayne's seven pillars can guide banks, credit unions and other financial firms to deliver better client outcomes. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Alkami Alkami Technology, Inc. is a leading cloud-based digital banking solutions provider for financial institutions in the United States that enables clients to grow confidently, adapt quickly, and build thriving digital communities. Alkami helps clients transform through retail and business banking, digital account