

BIGcast
Best Innovation Group's John Best & 154 Advisors' Glen Sarvady
The fintech industry is evolving rapidly, and the BIGcast is here to delve into its impact on the credit union industry. Our esteemed guests from across the financial, technology and security sectors will provide thrilling perspectives on the latest fintech innovations that are poised to revolutionize the way we handle our finances. Each week join thought-leader, John Best and subject matter expert, Glen Sarvady as they take a quick dive into the financial industry's current breakthroughs and latest hot topics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 14, 2024 • 33min
Hitting Fifty, Still Gaining Speed
Glen chats with Nacha CEO Jane Larimer onsite at the recent Smarter, Faster Payments Conference- which managed to remain forward-looking while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ACH network. ValidiFI’s Shawn Princell makes a case for the groundswell in Pay By Bank interest, and a resigned disdain for checks seems to permeate the humid Miami Beach air. Links related to this episode: Nacha: https://www.nacha.org/ ValidiFI: https://validifi.com/?utm_source=bigfintech&utm_medium=podcast#offer Shawn Princell’s recent article on Pay By Bank adoption: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pay-bank-roadmap-adoption-shawn-princell-ohbhf/ Nacha’s new rules addressing credit push fraud: https://www.nacha.org/news/new-nacha-rules-take-aim-credit-push-fraud The Atlanta Fed’s blog on these new Nacha rules: https://www.atlantafed.org/blogs/take-on-payments/2024/04/29/nacha-rule-changes-to-fight-authorized-payment-scams Register for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday May 22 at 3pm ET/Noon for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing CUs today. 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/

May 7, 2024 • 28min
Combating the Negative Net Worth Mindset
Glen speaks with Money Habitudes CEO Cara Macksoud about shifting money mindsets, the downside of the Great Wealth Transfer’s “lottery wins,” and how to start a constructive conversation on financial wellness. Also- nuggets from Block and PayPal earnings calls, and robust new Fed consumer data on economic decisionmaking. Links related to this episode: Money Habitudes: https://www.moneyhabitudes.com/ Goalsetter: https://goalsetter.co/ The Fed’s Survey on Household Economics and Decision Making: https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2023-economic-well-being-of-us-households-in-2022-banking-credit.htm Callahan’s blog summarizing these findings: https://creditunions.com/highlights/where-are-the-gaps-in-financial-inclusion/ Best Innovation Group’s AI Development offerings: https://www.big-fintech.com/Products-Services/AI-Development Register for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday May 8 at 3pm ET/Noon PT when Anne Legg will join us to continue early April’s discussion of the foundation credit unions must establish to leverage Generative AI. As always, expect a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the key issues facing CUs. 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/

May 1, 2024 • 35min
Preparing for the 3 M’s of AI, and Other Big Ideas
Glen shares interviews with Saisi Peter, Co-Founder of Casap, the 2024 winner of NACUSO’s Next Big Idea competition, and Anne Legg of Thrive Strategic Services outlines the steps credit unions must take to prepare for Generative AI. Also- Stripe unbundles and the NRF gets cranky (is that news?) Links related to this episode: Next Big Idea winner Casap: https://casaphq.com/ Thrive Strategic Services: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/ Replay of the full CU Town Hall featuring Anne Legg discussing credit unions’ preparedness for Generative AI: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=cu-town-hall-episode-114 Next Big Idea runner-up Debbie’s partnership with MSUFCU: https://www.joindebbie.com/articles/debbie-launches-debt-payoff-rewards-with-msufcu Story on Stripe’s decoupling of its payment services: https://fintechmagazine.com/articles/strategy-shift-stripe-de-couples-payments-from-tech-stack The National Retail Federation’s formal objection to the Visa/Mastercard settlement: https://cdn.nrf.com/sites/default/files/2024-04/VisaMastercard-PreliminaryObjections.pdf NACUSO: https://www.nacuso.org/ Register for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday May 8 at 3pm ET/Noon PT when Anne Legg will join us to continue early April’s discussion of the foundation credit unions must establish to leverage Generative AI. As always, expect a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the key issues facing CUs. 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/

Apr 25, 2024 • 47min
Preaching the CUSO Gospel
Just back from an action-packed NACUSO Network Conference, Glen shares interviews with NACUSO CEO Ronaldo Hardy, Peacefully Founder/CEO Jennifer Good and Sarah Martin, Founder/CEO of “New CUSO of the Year” Pulsate. Also, Bitcoin’s halving leads Coinbase to double down. Links related to this episode: NACUSO: https://www.nacuso.org/ Pulsate: https://www.pulsatehq.com/ Peacefully: https://peacefully.com/ Coinbase’s new Bitcoin commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdd64ifS_Ks Our January interview with Ronaldo Hardy, even earlier in his NACOSO role: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=nacusos-big-ideas-for-credit-unions-of-all-sizes Register for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday May 8 at 3pm ET/Noon PT when Anne Legg will join us to continue early April’s discussion of the foundation credit unions must establish to leverage Generative AI. As always, expect a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the key issues facing CUs. 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/

Apr 16, 2024 • 34min
A Bluetooth for Open Banking?
Glen speaks with Financial Data Exchange Managing Director Don Cardinal about efforts to establish an industry standard to enable open banking and bid farewell to screen scraping. Also- an artistic approach to deepfakes, and cash meets its demise at Death Valley. Links related to this episode: Financial Data Exchange: https://financialdataexchange.org/ Glen’s recent blog on Open Banking for America’s Credit Unions: https://news.cuna.org/articles/123490-open-banking-not-if-but-how The CFPB’s page on Section 1033 (Personal Data Rights/Open Banking) rulemaking: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/personal-financial-data-rights/ The Synthetic Memories Project: https://www.syntheticmemories.net/ The Atlanta Fed’s Take on Payments blog re: cash acceptance at Death Valley National Park: https://www.atlantafed.org/blogs/take-on-payments/2024/04/01/national-parks-and-cost-of-cash-acceptance America’s Credit Unions CEO Council: https://www.cunacouncils.org/ (John and Glen will be hosting a CEO Council virtual roundtable on Tuesday April 30) Join us for our next CU Town Hall on Wednesday April 17 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/

Apr 10, 2024 • 44min
Will Lower Broker Fees Upend the CU Mortgage Model?
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/

Apr 2, 2024 • 38min
Mining Direct Mail for Competitive Intel
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/

Mar 26, 2024 • 32min
Scouting the Next Franchise AI Quarterback
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/

Mar 19, 2024 • 35min
Consumers and Members- Unified Needs, Diverse Motivators
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/

Mar 12, 2024 • 39min
Navigating a “Vibe-cession,” Advocating at Scale
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/