BIGcast

Best Innovation Group's John Best & 154 Advisors' Glen Sarvady
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Nov 25, 2025 • 49min

Talkin' Turkey with the Team

Continuing our holiday tradition, John and Glen welcome regular contributors Anne Legg and Lou Grilli to share thoughts on the happenings that made them grateful (Fintech and credit union-wise) over the past year. Includes takes on the GENIUS Act, shutdown relief, and the Napster Age of AI. Links related to this episode: Thrive Strategic Services- Where Anne Legg Creates More Awesome: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/ Lou Grilli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lougrilli/ Chip Filson's "Just a Member" blog: https://chipfilson.com/ Arnall Golden Gregory's take on the proposed Visa/Mastercard settlement: https://www.agg.com/news-insights/publications/settled-for-certain-the-latest-proposed-settlement-in-the-visa-and-mastercard-mdl-litigation-and-its-likely-effect-on-surcharging/ LAST CALL for our BIG-Go Card: https://bingobaker.com/#67a12342928998c6 Join us for our final CU Town Hall of 2025- Wednesday December 17 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Nov 18, 2025 • 40min

Venturing into the Credit Union Vanguard

Part 2 of our VentureTech coverage features Glen's interviews with founders of all three finalists from the main stage event: Matt Dicou of Reset, Cary Fortin of Goodbuy and Jordan Mackler of ScribeUp. Also- Chase pushes forward with its "pay for data" model. Links related to this episode: Reset: https://www.getreset.co/ Goodbuy: https://www.trygoodbuy.com/ ScribeUp: https://www.scribeup.io Last week's episode featuring Aries Fraud Solutions, KeySavvy and Remynt: https://www.big-fintech.com/launching-from-obscurity-venturing-into-the-mainstream/ VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/ CNBC's take on JPMorgan Chase's traction in charging for open banking data: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/jpmorgan-chase-fintech-fees.html William Mills' annual Financial Trade Show/Conference Directory: https://info.williammills.com/financial-trade-show-conference-directory-2026 Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Nov 12, 2025 • 39min

Launching from Obscurity, Venturing into the Mainstream

In our first wave of VentureTech coverage Glen speaks with a trio of co-founders, from Launch Party winners Aries Fraud Solutions (unveiling its Obscurity Card) and main stage standouts KeySavvy and Remynt. Also- skepticism meets déjà vu on the proposed Visa/Mastercard settlement. Links related to this episode: Aries Fraud Solutions: https://www.ariesfraudsolutions.com/ KeySavvy: https://www.keysavvy.com/ Remynt: https://getremynt.com/ VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/ Reuters' take on the proposed Visa/Mastercard merchant settlement: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/visa-mastercard-reach-revised-swipe-fee-settlement-with-merchants-2025-11-10/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Nov 4, 2025 • 42min

Agents, Stablecoins, and a Touch of Friction

Glen boils down the prevailing themes from this year's Money 20/20 conference, upping the ante via interviews with a pair of compelling startups (Eloquent AI and RentFlow) and Paze's update on securing identity through the digital wallet. Also- Fiserv shakes investors to the core, and open banking continues to ruffle feathers. Links related to this episode: Eloquent AI: https://www.eloquentai.co/ RentFlow: https://www.therentflow.com/ Paze: https://www.paze.com/ A credit union-specific take on Fiserv's stock meltdown: https://chipfilson.com/2025/10/a-surprise-for-1254-credit-unions-heads-up-for-everyone-else/ Western Union's stablecoin play: https://ir.westernunion.com/news/archived-press-releases/press-release-details/2025/Western-Union-Announces-USDPT-Stablecoin-on-Solana-and-Digital-Asset-Network/default.aspx PayPal and Google Cloud's agentic AI gambit: https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/financial-services/introducing-an-agentic-commerce-solution-for-merchants-from-paypal-and-google-cloud Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Oct 28, 2025 • 41min

Muddying the Stablecoin Waters- Not a Genius Move

John and Glen tackle the key takeaways from recent market headlines: Open Ai's commercial relationship with Walmart, the temporary "de-pegging" of so-called stablecoin Ethena (USDe), and the warning flare it sets off for broader stablecoin adoption. Plus- Zelle goes global, and people still have a lot to say about Section 1033. Links related to this episode: The Open AI/Walmart partnership: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/14/walmart-openai-chatgpt-shopping.html The Crypto Times' coverage of USDe's brief "depeg" incident: https://www.cryptotimes.io/2025/10/13/ethena-founder-clarifies-usde-stablecoin-depeg-incident-on-binance/ Zelle's move into stablecoin and cross-border payments: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zelle-goes-international-early-warning-expands-1t-payments-network-with-stablecoin-initiative-302593440.html Payments Dive's article on the deluge of Section 1033 comments: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/cfpb-open-banking-comments-stripe-jpmorgan-mastercard-aba-fta-eta/803570/ FedNow's Q3 transaction and volume data: https://www.frbservices.org/resources/financial-services/fednow/quarterly-volume-value-stats RTP's Q3 transaction and volume data: https://www.theclearinghouse.org/payment-systems/rtp Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Oct 22, 2025 • 37min

The Complicated Road to Financial Health

Glen speaks with the Financial Health Network's Andrew Warren about takeaways from the newly minted Financial Health Pulse Trends report, including the persistent challenges in maintaining gains in financial stability. Also- the latest real-time payments data begs new questions, and Glen eats crow on Nvidia. Links related to this episode: The Financial Health Network's 2025 US Pulse Trends report: https://finhealthnetwork.org/research/financial-health-pulse-2025-u-s-trends-report/ The Financial Health Network's EMERGE 2026 conference, May 19-21 in Atlanta: https://finhealthnetwork.org/event/emerge-financial-health-2026/ FedNow's Q3 transaction and volume data: https://www.frbservices.org/resources/financial-services/fednow/quarterly-volume-value-stats RTP's Q3 transaction and volume data: https://www.theclearinghouse.org/payment-systems/rtp VentureTech in Frisco, Texas November 3-5; A FEW SCHOLARSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE FOR CUs UNDER $250M: : https://myventuretech.com/ The Underground Collision at Money 20/20 (Saturday Oct 25, separate admission): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-underground-collision-of-contrasts-with-money2020-tickets-1280066426139?aff=oddtdtcreator USE PROMO CODE "50BIGFIN" FOR A 50% DISCOUNT Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Oct 15, 2025 • 28min

The Smart Money in Vegas

The Smart Money in Vegas Glen connects with Money 20/20 CEO Tracey Davies to discuss what to expect from this year's extravaganza following a year of remarkable disruption and advancement. Also- a not-so-genius stablecoin wake-up call, and why "digital gold" may be a more accurate descriptor for Bitcoin than intended. Links related to this episode: Money 20/20, October 26-29 in Las Vegas: https://us.money2020.com/ CB Insights on the Money 20/20 Award finalists: https://www.cbinsights.com/reports/CB-Insights_Money2020-Finalist-Spotlight-2025.pdf The Underground Collision at Money 20/20 (Saturday Oct 25, separate admission): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-underground-collision-of-contrasts-with-money2020-tickets-1280066426139?aff=oddtdtcreator USE PROMO CODE "50BIGFIN" FOR A 50% DISCOUNT Glen's 2023 blog encapsulating Money 20/20's eras in t-shirts: https://www.big-fintech.com/the-history-of-money-20-20-in-three-t-shirts/ CNN on last Friday's crypto hiccup: https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/13/business/crypto-bitcoin-price-drop-trump-tariffs Live Bitcoin News on USDe's murky status: https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/crypto-news-ethenas-usde-is-not-a-stablecoin-okx-founder-says/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday October 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Quantum computing will be among the topics discussed this session, but expect some stablecoin talk as well. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Oct 8, 2025 • 48min

An Alternative Voice, an Assertive Approach

https://www.big-fintech.com/the-great-wealth-transfer-great-inheritance-drain/John and Glen speak with Defense Credit Union Council CEO Tony Hernandez about his organization's rapidly increasing visibility and how the armed forces' impact on the credit union movement extends well beyond the expected nameplates. Also- the shutdown creates new complexities for earned wage access, Bitcoin breaks the $125K barrier, and plenty of bingo card calls. Links related to this episode: The Defense Credit Union Council (including government shutdown resources): https://www.dcuc.org/ The CU Daily's recent interview with DCUC CEO Tony Hernandez: https://thecudaily.com/the-defense-cu-council-goes-on-the-offense-echoes-a-page-from-cu-history/ Create your own 2025 BIGGo card: https://bingobaker.com/#67a12342928998c6 Our recent interview with earned wage access provider Veep Software (among other startups): https://www.big-fintech.com/the-great-wealth-transfer-great-inheritance-drain/ Our April blog about the Executive Order "eliminating" government paper checks: https://www.big-fintech.com/executive-order-to-eliminate-checks-isnt-worth-the-paper-its-printed-on/ BCG's 2025 Global Payments Report: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/global-payments-transformation-amid-instability McKinsey's 2025 Global Payments Report: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/global-payments-report Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday October 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Quantum computing will be among the topics discussed this session, given HSBC's announced financial services breakthrough. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Oct 2, 2025 • 40min

Fintech Pregaming Reaches New Heights

Sports metaphors run deep this week, as Nick Evens and Jenny Jackson preview this year's VentureTech, the annual fintech showcase (and pickleball showdown). Not to be outdone, Early Warning's Paze digital wallet dials up its marketing efforts with a key NBA partnership. Plus- The Curql Fund does a 360, and HSBC brings real-world application of quantum computing into focus. Links related to this episode: VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/ The Atlanta Hawks/Paze partnership: https://www.nba.com/hawks/paze Paze: https://www.paze.com/ Three-minute video on HSBC's quantum computing bond trading breakthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SWMoGqTHoo HSBC/IBM press release on the algorithmic trading first: https://www.hsbc.com/news-and-views/news/media-releases/2025/hsbc-demonstrates-worlds-first-known-quantum-enabled-algorithmic-trading-with-ibm BIG's Innovation Club: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday October 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Quantum computing will likely be among the topics discussed this session, but other breaking industry news is sure to enter the chat. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/
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Sep 25, 2025 • 53min

The Great Wealth Transfer/Great Inheritance Drain

Our second wave of FinovateFall coverage includes interviews with the founders of Gentreo and Wysh- two young firms aiming to preserve member deposits across life cycles- as well as Veep Software, which delivers early wage access alongside financial education through the FI channel. Also- Glen reveals his Best of Show ballot, and touches on the startling plot twists with Plaid, Chase and open banking (spoilers entirely warranted). Links related to this episode: Wysh: https://www.wysh.com/ Gentreo: https://www.gentreo.com/ Veep Software: https://veepsoftware.io/ Veep's post-interview announcement of its partnership with financial education content provider nudge: https://www.financialcontent.com/article/getnews-2025-9-17-veep-launches-ewa-20-and-announces-first-global-partnership-with-nudge Videos of all 63 FinovateFall demos: https://finovate.com//videos/?filtertype=&showtypes=FinovateFall&videostartyear=2025&showletters=A-Z FinovareFall's Best of Show Winners: https://finovate.com/finovatefall-2025-best-of-show-winners-announced/ Alex Johnson's Fintech Take on the Prisoner's Dilemma aspect of JPMC, Plaid, and open banking: https://fintechtakes.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

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