

1766 – Embracing AI in Community Banking with Rich Edwards
Dec 22, 2023
16:20
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with CEO of Mindspan Systems Inc., Rich Edwards.
Rich Edwards, as the CEO of Mind Span Systems, leads a team that specializes in helping community financial institutions with marketing automation, communication, and personalization using data. They focus on smaller institutions with assets below 10 billion, which may not be technologically advanced but are looking to leverage tools like machine learning and AI to improve their services.
Rich highlighted a phenomenon he called the 'barbell effect' in the banking industry. This effect is characterized by the dominance of large and smaller local banks in the market activity, leaving a gap in the middle. He also discussed the attitudes and trends of banking consumers, emphasizing the fear of another financial collapse and the concentration of activity at both ends of the banking spectrum.
Rich explained that while AI is a powerful productivity tool, it won't immediately replace jobs but rather enhance the capabilities of professionals. He emphasized leveraging AI to focus on tasks that add value and differentiate a business.
Under Rich's leadership, Mind Span Systems helps clients with specific pain points, such as cost savings and support use cases. However, the real value of AI, according to Rich, lies in uncovering new opportunities and tasks that were previously impossible.
Key Points from the Episode:
- Introduction of Rich Edwards as CEO of Mind Span Systems
- MindSpan's work with community financial institutions
- Attitudes and trends of banking consumers
- Potential of AI in the banking industry
- Barbell effect in the banking industry
- AI as a productivity tool that enhances capabilities
- Specific pain points and value of AI in uncovering new opportunities
- Potential of using interns or assistants to enhance business operations
- MindSpan's resources on personalization in the banking industry