BIGcast

Glen recaps an action-packed Government Affairs Conference, featuring our annual interview with America's Credit Unions' Economics Team on the coming year's outlook. An "existential threat" to the industry's income tax exemption headlined a packed agenda, but the CFPB, NCUA and interchange legislation were also on the menu- not to mention tariff whiplash and market uncertainty. Links related to this episode: America's Credit Unions' Monthly Economic Updates: https://www.americascreditunions.org/data-tools/economic-data-bank-comparisons/economic-update-video-archive The Don't Tax My Credit Union Advocacy/Resource page: https://www.donttaxmycreditunion.org/ CrossState CUA's explanation of why credit unions offer better rates: https://www.crossstate.org/about/communications/blog/why-do-credit-unions-have-better-rates/ Glen's blog covering the GAC's key takeaways: Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday March 12 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This session will focus on a discussion of key takeaways from the Governmental Affairs Conference. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Signing up for the Town Hall also earns you a card for our Bingo game tracking 2025 industry predictions. Find out more here: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=did-you-have-that-one-on-your-bingo-card Join us on Bluesky! @bigfintech.bsky.social @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen) @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen interviews John about leveraging BlueSky's open-source framework for engaging credit union discussions. They explore BlueSky’s potential as a safe, decentralized alternative for social media, especially during crises. The conversation dives into innovative strategies for networking and facilitating member engagement. Plus, a humorous take on their social media journeys and excitement for an upcoming conference in Washington, D.C. Also, there's a tasty detour to a South African eatery known for its Peri Peri spice!

Glen speaks with DePaul University professor and financial innovation expert Lamont Black about his recent work on a blockchain-based secondary loan market to unlock credit union liquidity and reduce costs. Also- Chase tries to keep Zelle in the "friends and family," and 2024 payment stats beg the question "how fast is fast enough?" Links related to this episode: Wide Open Ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wideopenventures/posts/ The Filene Research Institute's report on Loan NFT (Executive Summary): https://www.filene.org/reports/introducing-loannft-a-blockchain-solution-for-the-secondary-loan-market Lamont Black: https://lamontblack.com/ Glen's blog on official 2024 volumes for RTP, FedNow and Same Day ACH: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=zelle-hits-a-trillion-same-day-ach-says-hold-my-beer Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 26 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This week we'll be "pre-gaming" for GAC- even if you won't be attending the largest annual credit union conference, we'll crowdsource the burning issues you're most interested in and serve as your onsite "eyes and ears" for these topics. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Signing up for the Town Hall also earns you a card for our Bingo game tracking 2025 industry predictions. Find out more here: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=did-you-have-that-one-on-your-bingo-card Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen shares a pair of interviews from last week's Deluxe Exchange conference- Scamnetic co-founder Al Pascual on a startup's mission to preempt fraud earlier in the pipeline, and Deidre Campbell on a few financial services silver linings amid troubling data from the annual Edelman Trust Barometer. Also- Bingo cards and the CFPB carousel. Links related to this episode: Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2025/trust-barometer Our previous conversation about Edelman's Trust Barometer: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=retaining-member-trust-amid-the-decline-of-authority Scamnetic: https://scamnetic.com/ Scamnetic's Fall 2024 Finovate demo: https://finovate.com/videos/finovatefall-2024-scamnetic/ Scamnetic: YouTube overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y__BrHsi1Jc Deluxe: https://www.deluxe.com/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 26 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Industry developments keep coming fast and furious- the CU Town Hall is the place to make sense of these items together. It's free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Signing up for the Town Hall also earns you a card for our Bingo game tracking 2025 industry predictions. Find out more here: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=did-you-have-that-one-on-your-bingo-card Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Discover the buzz around the upcoming Reimagine conference in Las Vegas, where innovation takes center stage. Join the conversation about recent significant credit union news, including a Senate bill capping credit card interest rates. Learn about the Next Big Idea competition designed to spark creativity. Engage with industry leaders through a unique bingo card initiative and explore challenges like regulatory changes and funding cuts affecting credit unions. It's an exciting time for collaboration and advocacy in the financial sector!

John and Glen dive into the unfolding DeepSeek saga and ponder if it's truly a 'Sputnik moment' for credit unions. They unpack the legal turmoil surrounding the Illinois interchange law and its implications for banks. The conversation shifts to DeepSeek's innovative AI model, which is making waves by outperforming competitors with lower costs. Skepticism around AI's credibility mirrors past controversies, while market shifts with Nvidia and OpenAI reveal underlying tech dynamics. Plus, a lighthearted chat about TikTok adds a fun twist!

John and Glen connect with noted security expert Roger Grimes to untangle the recent developments in quantum computing and discuss why Roger believes the big encryption-obliterating breakthrough will come sooner rather than later - if it hasn't already. Links related to this episode: Roger's recent LinkedIn post on why a 2035 Quantum prep date is "insane": https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-think-2035-post-quantum-preparation-date-insane-roger-grimes-yotee/ KnowBe4: https://www.knowbe4.com/ Roger's book "Cryptography Apocalypse": https://www.amazon.com/Cryptography-Apocalypse-Preparing-Quantum-Computing-ebook/dp/B07Z837R86/ Roger's latest release, "Fighting Phishing": https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Phishing-Everything-Social-Engineering-ebook/dp/B0CSX1JC9B/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall - Wednesday January 29 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Industry developments keep coming fast and furious- how many of us had China's DeepSeek AI bombshell on their Bingo card? The CU Town Hall is the place to make sense of these items together. It's free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Find us on BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen and Becky Reed delve into the future of cryptocurrency under the most crypto-friendly U.S. administration yet. They discuss how regulation is evolving alongside stablecoins and AI, and the importance of user education for broader adoption. The conversation highlights the interplay between traditional finance and decentralized solutions, while exploring the rising impact of stablecoins compared to giants like Visa. Additionally, they touch on the transformative potential of digital wallets and the changing landscape of financial institutions.

Anne Legg, an expert in AI policy for credit unions, joins industry leaders John and Glen to predict transformative changes for 2025. They discuss the dual nature of AI's impact, from operational efficiencies to security threats. Mergers in the financial sector are on the horizon, alongside innovative housing solutions like co-living mortgages. The panel also dives into the future of cryptocurrency and payment systems, emphasizing blockchain's role and the political landscape that influences digital currencies.

Steve Reider, President of Bancography, dives into the evolving landscape of bank branches and their declining numbers. He discusses the intriguing dynamics of branch profitability, revealing it's not just credit unions that are shrinking. The role of data analytics in strategic decision-making comes into focus, alongside a look at how cashless models can enhance banking accessibility in underserved areas. Plus, hear about the intersection of banking trends, technology, and even film critiques of AI, ensuring a thought-provoking conversation!