Banking on Digital Growth

Traditional SEO is dying—and AI search is taking its place. In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, host James Robert Lay and co-host Derik Krauss dive into the seismic shift in how people search, shop, and make financial decisions online. With research from Semrush and Ahrefs predicting that AI-driven search will surpass Google by 2028—or even sooner—this isn’t just a trend. It’s a warning.Financial brands that rely heavily on Google and PPC are at risk of becoming invisible in the new AI-first search landscape. Why does this matter? Because behavior is shifting fast, and many institutions are lagging behind without realizing it.JR and Derik share what your financial brand must do now to prepare. From measuring your AI visibility to understanding what content actually gets you found in ChatGPT responses, this episode is a blueprint for staying competitive—and staying seen.You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Are you dying, surviving, or thriving? In a rapidly evolving age of AI and fintech disruption, the real threat isn’t competition—it’s complacency. Too many banks and credit unions are stuck in survival mode, reacting to problems instead of creating possibilities.The conversation digs deep into the mindset shifts needed to break free from defensive, fear-based thinking. James Robert and Derik explore personal stories of transformation, the impact of strategic clarity, and how the most growth-bound institutions today are those with leaders willing to take bold, courageous action. They unpack why thriving starts with leading yourself—and how 10x thinking can unlock future-focused innovation that’s no longer optional.If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step, this episode will challenge your perspective and offer a clear path forward: Think bigger. Lead bolder. Grow faster.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Traditional banks face tough competition from agile neobanks and fintechs. The importance of a digital-first approach is highlighted as a way for community institutions to thrive. Engaging younger customers and understanding generational perspectives can prevent obsolescence. The discussion emphasizes the need for balance between digital solutions and human interaction. As AI reshapes communication, financial institutions must adapt or risk losing relevance in the market. Listening to consumer demands is essential for innovation and growth.

Most financial brands are stuck saying the same things—“great rates, great service”—and it's costing them trust, growth, and relevance. In this episode, James Robert Lay and Derik Krauss dive into the dangerous trap of commoditization in financial services. They break down why it's happening, how it shows up in your marketing, and what to do about it. You’ll learn how to reframe your messaging around purpose, use empathy to guide digital journeys, and position your brand as a trusted guide—not just a product pusher. Drawing from the Digital Growth Blueprint and real-world examples, this conversation is your first step toward standing out in a sea of sameness.You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most financial brands are still designing websites for people. But the web’s changed—and fast.In this episode, Derik Krauss joins James Robert Lay to unpack why the real “visitors” to your site are no longer just humans, but AI agents like ChatGPT and Perplexity acting on their behalf. They explore what this means for discoverability, trust, and conversion in an age where the “Do-It-For-Me” economy is accelerating.You’ll learn how to start building an “agentic website” designed for both humans and machines—and why failing to adapt may render your brand invisible to the next generation of digital decision-makers.You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most financial institutions struggle to measure what really matters in their marketing. They track impressions, clicks, and followers—but not meaningful outcomes like loan conversions, account openings, or user friction. This leads to wasted budgets, unclear ROI, and missed opportunities to optimize the digital experience.Without clear, actionable analytics, marketing becomes a black box. Leadership gets frustrated. Teams lose confidence. And worst of all—growth stalls because no one can see what’s actually working. In a time when budgets are tight and expectations are high, guessing is no longer a viable strategy.James Robert and Derik explore how financial brands can transform marketing from a cost center into a growth engine by measuring progress in smarter, simpler ways. From high-level KPIs to on-page performance insights, they unpack what to track, why it matters, and how to start seeing through the noise to what actually drives growth.You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most marketing teams are stuck in a turf war—and it’s costing financial brands real growth. On one side, brand teams are chasing awareness. On the other, performance marketers are pushing for conversions. Both mean well. But without a shared strategy, they're pulling in opposite directions—and the only real result is internal competition, wasted budget, and missed growth opportunities.In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, James Robert Lay and co-host Derik Krauss return to bridge the divide between art and science in financial brand marketing. They unpack how collaborative cultures, rooted in testing and iteration, transform subjective ideas into measurable outcomes. You’ll learn how to turn gut-based marketing into data-driven performance, why AB testing isn't just for emails, and how small conversion lifts can lead to million-dollar gains.You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Digital marketing in many financial institutions still leans heavily on the art—intuition, creativity, and guesswork—while neglecting the science of performance data, testing, and iterative optimization. As a result, efforts often lack measurable ROI and fail to meaningfully move the needle on loans and deposits.The stakes have never been higher. Digital noise is at an all-time high. AI is flooding the market with more content than ever before. If marketing is not grounded in data and constant experimentation, it's just decoration—pretty, but ineffective. Financial brands that ignore the science behind digital growth risk wasting budget, losing trust, and falling behind competitors who are measuring what matters and learning faster.James Robert Lay and Derik Krauss explore how financial brands can integrate the art of storytelling and design with the science of data, testing, and behavioral insight. They’ll introduce a balanced approach—combining empathy-driven messaging with A/B testing, conversion tracking, and funnel optimization—to drive smarter, more scalable results.Join us as we discuss:-The Importance of Measuring Marketing Success (5:07)-Practical Steps to Integrate Science into Marketing (11:58)-Conversion Funnels and Their Impact (15:43)You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Let’s be honest—too many financial brands are still operating like it’s 1999. Websites stuck in the past. Strategies rooted in branch-first thinking. Growth models that haven’t evolved with consumer expectations. In this reboot of Banking on Digital Growth, host James Robert Lay is joined by new co-host Derik Krauss, co-founder of MetriFi, for a no-holds-barred conversation about what it really takes to lead in a digital-first world.If you're tired of hearing "digital transformation" without seeing real action, this episode is your wake-up call. From the hidden cost of digital blind spots to the hard truth of The Innovator’s Dilemma, James and Derik unpack how banks and credit unions can escape outdated thinking—and why the website must be the starting point.Join us as we discuss:-The Pre-Internet Mindset in Financial Institutions-Personal Banking Preferences and Generational Differences-The Innovator's Dilemma in Financial ServicesYou can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Feeling stuck in the digital banking landscape? The hosts share their transformative journey and the insights gained during a much-needed break. They emphasize the urgency for change and unveil exciting new initiatives aimed at supporting entrepreneurs. A new co-host joins the conversation, shedding light on the hidden pitfalls in digital journeys. Listeners are called to action, with resources like a benchmarking tool designed to enhance their digital presence in a rapidly evolving world.