John and Glen discuss the proposed National Association of Realtors settlement that many believe will dramatically alter the process of buying/selling US homes. The mortgage process could be disrupted too… for better or worse?    Links related to this episode:   The New York Times’ Daily podcast on the realtor fee lawsuit: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/podcasts/the-daily/housing-market.html  NPR’s article on the proposed settlement: https://www.npr.org/2024/03/22/1239486107/realtor-fee-commission-homes-for-sale  CNN’s subsequent article on the settlement’s ramifications: https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/30/economy/nar-settlement-home-buyers-and-sellers/index.html  Glen’s blog on the Capital One/Discover merger: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-capital-onediscover-deal-a-test-of-typical-battle-lines-and-a-credit-union-angle    Find us on X and BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors (same handles for both) 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 speaks with Competiscan Founder/CEO Richard Goldman about the insights promotional mail can generate about events like the proposed Capital One/Discover merger. Also- more headaches at Discover, and looking into the less reported corners of the Visa/ Mastercard settlement.     Links related to this episode:   Competiscan: https://www.competiscan.com/  Glen’s blog dissecting the Visa/Mastercard settlement: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=exploring-the-issuer-aspect-of-the-visamastercard-settlement Glen’s blog on the Capital One/Discover merger: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-capital-onediscover-deal-a-test-of-typical-battle-lines-and-a-credit-union-angle  Story about squatters grabbing Capital One/Discover domains: https://domainnamewire.com/2024/03/29/capital-one-sues-to-get-discover-merger-domain-names/  Submission form to join Competiscan’s Consumer/Small Business Panels: https://www.sbkcenter.com/consumer.html     Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday April 3 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     Find us on X and BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors (same handles for both) 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/

John and Glen meet with Shastic Founder/CEO Joseariel Gomez Ortigoza about his firm’s mission to make AI less intimidating for credit unions. Also- sausage making and the Credit Card Competition Act.    Links related to this episode:   Shastic: https://shastic.com/  BIG’s Innovation Club: https://www.big-fintech.com/Innovation-Club/Technology Glen’s blog previewing the EU’s AI Act: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=first-mover-advantage-the-eus-ai-act-sets-the-legislative-tone CU Today’s CCCA coverage the morning of the government shutdown deadline: https://www.cutoday.info/Fresh-Today/CU-Opposed-Credit-Card-Competition-Act-Added-as-Amendment-to-Must-Pass-Bill  ...and its brief follow-up afterward: https://www.cutoday.info/Fresh-Today/Two-Measures-Championed-by-CUs-Included-in-Spending-Package-Passed-by-Senate-Credit-Card-Competition-Act-Doesn-t-Make-Cut    Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday April 3 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     We’ve joined BlueSky social! Find us 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/

More highlights from the Government Affairs Conference: Filene Research Institute’s Taylor Nelms shares new research revealing credit union members’ segmented needs and desires, and Glia’s Paul Sheets on his firm’s fresh take on “Contact Center as a Service.” Also, first impressions of the EU’s new AI Act.   Links related to this episode:   Registration for Filene’s Thursday April 4 webinar: https://www.filene.org/events/member-voice-unleashed-national-insights-dashboard-demo-preview  Filene’s Member Voice initiative: https://www.filene.org/programs-services/advisory-services/member-voice  Glia’s Unified Interaction Management model: https://www.glia.com/  The MIT Technology Review’s take on the EU’s new AI Act: https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/03/19/1089919/the-ai-act-is-done-heres-what-will-and-wont-change/  Our January episode where John Best suggests blockchain as an AI “watermarking” solution: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=has-blockchain-found-a-problem-for-its-solution    Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday March 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     We’ve joined BlueSky social! Find us 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 reports from America’s Credit Unions’ Government Affairs Conference- including our annual roundtable with ACU’s Economics team about an oddly disjointed consumer picture, and a conversation with CEOs Deborah Fears and James Higgins about the still-essential role played by small credit unions.      Links related to this episode:   The 170-page Small Credit Union Blueprint for Success: www.cuna.org/smallcu   Americas Credit Unions monthly Economic Updates: https://www.cuna.org/advocacy/credit-union---economic-data/economic-data---bank-comparisons/cuna-economic-update.html  Our interview with board member Caroline Willard on the CUNA/NAFCU merger: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-cunanafcu-merger-an-inside-view  Skyline Financial Federal CU: https://www.skylinefinancialfcu.com/  Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union: https://www.cpoecu.com/  Americas Credit Unions’ in-progress combined site: https://www.americascreditunions.org/    Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday March 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     We’ve joined BlueSky social! Find us 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 chats with Generative AI’s self- described Chief Optimist (and OpenAI’s onetime Head of Go to Market) Zack Kass about how we’ve arrived at the brink of AGI, potential regulatory avenues to safeguard the technology, and why he sees more likely good than harm. Also- Elon’s latest gambit and another Easter egg in the Capital One/Discover deal.   Links related to this episode:   Zack Kass’s website: https://zackkass.com/  Zack’s Newsweek article on the risks of anthropomorphizing AI: https://www.newsweek.com/perils-anthropomorphizing-machine-intelligence-opinion-1836493  Wired’s bizarre take on Elon Musk’s bizarre lawsuit against OpenAI: https://www.wired.com/story/wild-claim-at-the-heart-of-elon-musks-openai-lawsuit/  Our recent CU Town Hall dissecting Capital One/Discover’s impact on credit unions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZIDagUCgb4 Glen’s blog on the Capital One/Discover deal: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-capital-onediscover-deal-a-test-of-typical-battle-lines-and-a-credit-union-angle  SRM’s report on Capital One/Discover: https://info.srmcorp.com/assessing-the-shockwaves-from-capital-ones-plan-to-purchase-discover  Deluxe Corporation: https://www.deluxe.com/    Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday March 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     We’ve joined BlueSky social! Find us 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/

John recaps ten years of BIG ideas, recounts tech expectations circa 2015, and ponders the potential of AI, for better or worse. Plus- Glen wonders what happens if the Cap One/Discover deal doesn’t go through.      Links related to this episode:   Replay of the full BIG 10th Anniversary CU Town Hall (with video): https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=cu-town-hall-episode-108-john-best   Glen’s blog on the Capital One/Discover merger: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-capital-onediscover-deal-a-test-of-typical-battle-lines-and-a-credit-union-angle  The HeyGen AI Video software John used: https://www.heygen.com/  The Government Affairs Conference, March 3-7 in Washington DC: https://www.cuna.org/events/the_governmentalaffairsconference2024.html  CU Broadcast, from Digital Town Hall partner Mike Lawson: https://www.cubroadcast.com/     Join us for our next CU Town Hall this Wednesday February 28 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  Connect with Glen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/ or X (@154Advisors) Connect with John on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  or X (@jbfintech)

John and Glen check in with PSCU Co-Op CEO Chuck Fagan to learn about progress combining the two organizations. Plus- initial thoughts on Capital One’s proposed Discover acquisition.      Links related to this episode:   FAQs on the PSCU/Co-Op combination: https://www.pscu.com/combination  PSCU Member Forum April 10-12 in San Antonio: https://web.cvent.com/event/45895c24-6cc9-49c5-95d2-b0d0b877dead/websitePage:18a4262f-d222-41c0-b7c7-70aaf6121bd2  Co-Op Think! Conference May 7-10 in Nashville: https://campaigns.coop.org/think-2024/p/p/1  The Government Affairs Conference, March 3-7 in Washington DC: https://www.cuna.org/events/the_governmentalaffairsconference2024.html  Chuck Fagan’s recent interview with Tampa Bay Business & Wealth: https://tbbwmag.com/2024/02/13/ceo-of-pscu-and-co-op-solutions-talks-about-growth-and-maintaining-company-culture/    Join us for our next CU Town Hall this Wednesday February 28 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  Connect with Glen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/ or X (@154Advisors) Connect with John on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  or X (@jbfintech)

From the windy shores of Miami Beach, Glen chats with Barlow Research about the often overlooked banking habits of small and mid-market businesses. Also- some fresh (and well-sourced) AI nuggets, and Chase places a contrarian bet on the future of the branch.     Links related to this episode:   Barlow Research: https://barlowresearch.com/index.php  Deluxe: https://www.deluxe.com/  CNN’s coverage of JPMorgan Chase’s plans to open 500 new branches: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/06/business/jpmorgan-chase-open-new-branches/index.html  AI Futurist (and OpenAI alum) Zack Kass: https://zackkass.com/    Join us for our next CU Town Hall this Wednesday February 14 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/     Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  Connect with Glen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/ or X (@154Advisors) Connect with John on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  or X (@jbfintech)  

Glen speaks with Becky Reed about a proposed new Web3-focused credit union, and how it actually represents a return to the CU movement’s roots. Also- a Whole New Worldpay, and data on some unexpected consumer payment behavior.     Links related to this episode:   Defy, a proposed federal credit union: https://defy.coop/  BankSocial: https://www.banksocial.io/  Becky Reed’s new book, “Credit Unions and DeFi: A Financial Renaissance”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS9ZW1VV    The Federal Reserve’s Diary of Consumer Payment Choice: https://www.frbservices.org/news/research.html/2023-findings-from-the-diary-of-consumer-payment-choice   Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday February 14th at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive discussion of the key issues facing credit unions. (Did we mention there’ll be a cool tech giveaway to one FI attendee?) It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/       Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  Connect with Glen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/ or X (@154Advisors) Connect with John on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  or X (@jbfintech)