

Rebuilding Banking Loyalty for the Digital Age
Jul 24, 2025
Carson Kotnyek, VP and Head of Loyalty and Ecosystems at Zafin, discusses the vital evolution of banking loyalty in the digital age. He emphasizes how customers now demand personalized experiences rather than just traditional rewards. Kotnyek highlights the challenges traditional banks face with outdated systems while showcasing the need for integration of technology and real-time engagement. He also touches on the importance of understanding customer lifestyles and using personalized strategies to transform banking customers into passionate advocates.
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Loyalty as Survival Strategy
- Loyalty in banking has become a business survival strategy, not just a marketing tactic.
- Customers seek relevance, personalization, and seamless integration into daily life, beyond traditional rewards.
Carson Kotnyek’s Career Journey
- Carson Kotnyek shares his journey from skilled trades to financial services and loyalty expertise.
- He brings cross-industry loyalty program experience to his current role at Zafin.
Loyalty's Evolution in Banking
- Loyalty in banking has stagnated as many still equate loyalty with credit card points.
- Other industries have leapfrogged loyalty with personalization and whole customer recognition driving retention.