Counting Change

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss member experience with Matt Fehrmann, Chief Information Officer at Kohler Credit Union. The conversation covers Matt's journey into the community banking sector, the critical role of fintech in driving innovation, and the importance of enhancing member experience through digital transformation and personalization. The episode also delves into compliance and fraud prevention challenges in the financial sector, offering insights and advice for credit union leaders looking to innovate while focusing on member experience. Counting Change is hosted and run by ⁠Ascent Platform⁠.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss the integration of FinTech solutions and credit unions with Michael Abraham, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Great Lakes Credit Union. The episode explores the intersection of fintech and credit unions, discussing how fintechs can enhance member experiences, level the playing field against larger institutions, and the importance of trust in financial services. Michael shares his journey in the credit union industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing financial landscape. Michael also discusses the challenges small financial institutions face when integrating FinTech solutions, emphasizing the stifling effect of regulatory compliance on innovation. Counting Change is hosted and run by ⁠Ascent Platform⁠.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss the significance of cultural alignment in credit unions with Chris Parker, CEO of Lighthouse Credit Union. Chris shares his unique journey into the credit union space and the importance of fostering a strong organizational culture. The conversation also touches on how credit unions can align their growth with community needs and the role of employee engagement in maintaining culture.

In this episode of Counting Change, host Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss the evolving landscape of FinTech with Tara Schultz, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between traditional financial institutions and FinTech companies. Tara shares her journey in the industry, the challenges faced in forming these partnerships, and how they can enhance customer experience. The conversation also touches on the role of core system providers and the future of banking technology, highlighting the need for innovation and collaboration in meeting customer expectations.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss innovation and the credit union extinction with Shirley Senn, Chief Consulting Officer at CU Strategic Planning. In this engaging conversation, Arjun and Shirley discuss the unique position of credit unions in fostering community engagement and inclusion. They explore the importance of technology and innovation in driving growth, emphasizing the need for operational efficiencies and enhanced member experiences. The discussion also highlights the significance of data-driven decisions in tailoring services to meet diverse members' needs while maintaining a human touch in financial services.g a human touch in financial services.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid discuss open banking with guests Alex Johnson and Jason Henrichs. Alex and Jason are both hosts on leading fintech podcasts, with Alex being the host and founder of Fintech Takes whilst Jason is a co-host at Breaking Banks. Jason is additionally the CEO of Alloy Labs Alliance. The conversation covers the evolution of open banking, its impact on underwriting and cashflow analysis, and the challenges faced by community banks in adapting to these changes. The guests share their insights on how open banking can enhance consumer experiences and increase competition in the financial services landscape. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolving landscape of banking, emphasizing the critical role of data exchange, the importance of building trust with consumers, and the future of autonomous finance. They explore how banks can differentiate themselves by offering better products and services tailored to specific customer segments. The discussion also touches on personal experiences and preferences in financial services, highlighting the need for banks to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and expectations.

In this episode of Counting Change, host Arjun Sahgal and designer Rachel Reid engage with Kevin Porter, CEO of DxO Advisors, to discuss the evolving landscape of credit unions and their technology needs. The conversation covers the importance of modernization, the challenges credit unions face in upgrading their technology, and the key trends shaping the future of financial services. Kevin emphasizes the need for a nimble tech stack, the significance of customer experience, and the necessity for credit unions to lead with business strategy rather than technology. The episode concludes with actionable advice for credit unions to future-proof themselves in a rapidly changing environment.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by DJ Seeterlin, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer of Chesapeake Bank. DJ discusses the vital role of innovation in community banking. The episode explores the key innovations that have emerged in recent years, and how community banks can leverage technology to enhance customer experience and serve underserved populations. The conversation also delves into future trends in banking, including the impact of instant payments and open banking, and emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in driving innovation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by ⁠⁠Santo Cannone⁠⁠, a board chair at Tampa Bay Wave and a board member and strategic advisor for several firms. Santo discusses core banking and the perceived lack of innovation in it. He explores the functions of core banking systems, the barriers to innovation created by outdated systems, and the hesitancy of institutions to modernize or replace them. Lastly, Santo also touches on the role of technology trends, such as AI and open banking, in shaping the future of core providers. ⁠Counting Change⁠ is hosted and ran by employees of ⁠Ascent Platform⁠. About Ascent (Bank Version) Ascent is the next-generation platform that provides financial institutions with the ability to streamline any and all product applications and forms without disrupting existing systems and processes. Ascent replaces the patchwork of full-stack product applications, static web forms, and PDFs with intelligent applications and forms featuring prefilled data, optional pre-screening rules and logic, and collaborative document collection. Most importantly, the platform learns from every interaction, and uses those learnings to make subsequent experiences more contextual, with fewer questions for the customer and less work for the banker. Using Ascent’s no-code builder, institutions can rapidly configure and deploy beautiful bespoke applications and forms at their own pace. For more information, please visit ⁠ascentplatform.io⁠.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Sarah Howell, Senior Director of Digital Partnerships at Visa. Sarah discusses the supply chain of financial services and its significance in the banking industry. She explains that the traditional supply chain in financial services is owned by banks, but with the emergence of fintechs and prepaid cards, the supply chain has become more fragmented. The conversation also touches on the challenges of data fragmentation and the potential of AI in streamlining the supply chain. Lastly, Sarah explores the challenges of managing risk in the financial services supply chain, with a focus on data ownership and governance. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Joseph Mancini, Chief Operating Officer at BankProv. Joseph discusses how innovation can boost efficiency whilst preserving customer experience. The challenges financial institutions face in balancing innovation and customer service, recent innovations in the financial services industry, and the importance of involving customers in the innovation process is also explored. Lastly, Joseph discussed future trends in the industry, including embedded finance, API banking, AI, and real-time payments. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service. About BankProv BankProv is a subsidiary of Provident Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PVBC). BankProv is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Massachusetts. With retail branches in the Seacoast Region of Northeastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as commercial banking offices in the Manchester/Concord market in Central New Hampshire, BankProv delivers a unique combination of traditional banking services and innovative financial solutions to its markets. Founded in Amesbury, Massachusetts in 1828, BankProv holds the honor of being the 10th oldest bank in the nation. The Bank insures 100% of deposits through a combination of insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). For more information, visit bankprov.com.

In this special bonus episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Robert Davis, President and CEO of The Bridge Companies LLC and also one of Ascent's advisors. With the Federal Open Market Committee decisions happening during recording, Counting Change delves into what the impact on the mortgage lending industry could be. The conversation covers Robert's extensive background in finance, the role of the Federal Open Market Committee in setting interest rates, and how technology is transforming the lending landscape. They explore the implications of real-time data on customer monitoring and the potential for loan consolidation as interest rates fluctuate. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Elizabeth Osborne, Chief Operations Officer at Great Lakes Credit Union. Elizabeth discusses the pros and cons of FI consolidations. The conversation dives into the motivations behind consolidation, the cultural differences between institutions, the pain points of consolidation, and strategies for successful integration. Elizabeth also explores the importance of member experience during credit union consolidation and the challenges and opportunities it presents. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Melissa Pomeroy, EVP, Chief Operating Officer at Cooperative Credit Union Association. Melissa discusses the importance of collaboration between credit unions (CUs) and fintechs. The conversation dives into the benefits of collaboration for both CUs and fintechs, the challenges of breaking into the credit union industry, and the need for cultural alignment between the two. Melissa also explores the future of collaboration and the role of fintechs in solving the biggest problems faced by credit unions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠⁠ are joined by Rob Johnson, Chief Audit Officer at MSU Federal Credit Union Rob shares insights on how the audit process has transformed over the years, particularly with the integration of technology, and discusses the importance of maintaining a balance between regulatory compliance and innovation. The conversation delves into the nuances of internal auditing, the challenges auditors face in today's rapidly changing environment, and the cultural shifts required to embrace new technologies. Rob also opens up about his journey into the credit union space, his passion for the outdoors, and how these experiences shape his approach to auditing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, technology, and community service.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Rachel Reid⁠⁠ are joined by the president and CEO of California Credit Union, ⁠⁠Steve O'Connell. Steve shares his insights about creating a culture within a team that allows both the institution and the team members to grow. The conversation explores California Credit Union's expansion and its impact on their culture, how they encouraged team members to have positive feelings for change, and cultural fit in organisations. Whether you're a finance enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about the dynamics of the financial landscape, this episode serves as a case study of what it takes internally for an institution to be successful in expansion. Join us as we celebrate the unsung heroes of finance and uncover the transformative potential of thinking small in a world of big banks.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠ and ⁠Rachel Reid⁠ are joined by FinTech veteran ⁠Bryan Claggett⁠. In part 2 of the Bryan Claggett episode, Claggett dives more in depth about the new expectations consumers have of banking and how the digital experience must be driven by customer centricity. Whether you’re a banking professional or a FinTech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of financial technology.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid are joined by FinTech veteran Bryan Claggett. Dive into Bryan’s journey from the 1980s banking sector to the forefront of digital banking and FinTech innovation. Explore the transformative power of the internet in banking, the challenges and opportunities facing modern banks and credit unions, and the importance of adapting to new technologies to meet customer needs. Whether you’re a banking professional or a FinTech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of financial technology.

Join us on today's episode of Counting Change as we delve into Greg Mitchell's fascinating background and how he went from the Coast Guard to First Tech Fed CU. The conversation covers topics related to creating a culture of empowerment, aligning team goals with institutional objectives, and balancing autonomy with accountability. It also delves into the impact of empowerment on decision-making, the importance of recognition and reward, and the value of self-actualization. Additionally, it explores the concept of 'Start with Why' and the significance of a clear purpose in building an organization. Whether you're a finance enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about the dynamics of the financial landscape, this episode serves as a captivating exploration of how culture impacts a credit union, and the steps you can take to build up that culture. Join us as we celebrate the unsung heroes of finance and uncover the transformative potential of thinking small in a world of big banks.

In this insightful episode of "Counting Change," we are joined by special guest Theron McCollough, Managing Director at Citizens Private Bank. Theron brings a wealth of experience from his impressive career in banking and finance, including his time at First Republic Bank, and as the founder and CEO of a quantitative portfolio management system. Together, we explore the delicate balance between technology and human interaction in the banking industry. Theron shares his thoughts on how technology can enhance customer service without losing the essential human touch. We discuss the evolving user experience, the importance of personalized customer service, and how to address the needs of different generations in the digital age. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on leveraging technology to improve banking while maintaining meaningful human connections.