

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

Oct 11, 2023 • 32min
Taking Control of the Call Center Queue
John speaks with Respell’s Harpriya Bagri about using her firm’s AI workflow tool to fight through the frustration of lost luggage. Also, Glen shares conference nuggets and ponders the meaning of the word “cashless.” Links related to this episode: Respell: https://www.respell.ai/ Harpriya’s viral tweet/video (that’s right- we said Tweet) on her lost luggage pursuit: https://twitter.com/harpriiya/status/1682165101867175936 The full Town Hall video featuring Harpriya’s Respell on-screen demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcPws0YWMiQ FIVEGPT press release: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=best-innovation-group-and-bonifii-announce-joint-development-of-fivegpt FIVEGPT video: https://vimeo.com/871619836/f6309935c5 Equifax Market Pulse: https://www.equifax.com/business/trends-insights/marketpulse Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on X @154Advisors Follow John on X @jbfintech

Oct 3, 2023 • 37min
Rumors of Fintech Funding’s Demise Have Been Somewhat Exaggerated
Glen speaks with Nick Evens, President/CEO of the Curql Collective, about the process of deploying over $300 million of additional credit union capital through its strategic investment fund. Also- keeping tabs on the startups potentially vying for some of that investment. Links related to this episode: Curql Fund: https://www.curql.com/ VentureTech, November 6-8 in Frisco, Texas: https://myventuretech.com/ Videos of company demos from Finovate Fall: https://finovate.com/videos/?filtertype=&showtypes=FinovateFall&videostartyear=2023&showletters=A-Z TTV Capital: https://ttvcapital.com/ BIG’s Innovation Club: https://www.big-fintech.com/Innovation-Club/Technology Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on X @154Advisors Follow John on X @jbfintech

Sep 26, 2023 • 39min
Battling for Eyeballs with the Big Boys
Part 2 of our Finovate recap features interviews with the founders of Best of Show winner Chimney and Top Emerging Fintech winner Union Credit. Also- Glen reveals his Best of Show ballot and the Credit Card Competition Act takes to the airwaves. Links related to this episode: Chimney: https://chimney.io/ Union Credit: https://www.unioncredit.app/ Finovate: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ Last week’s episode, featuring interviews with CD Valet and Best of Show winner Wysh: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=finovates-window-into-an-evolving-landscape Our August interview with True Digital: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=fintech-hotter-than-the-headlines Glen’s Finovate recap for CUNA.org: https://news.cuna.org/articles/123055-generative-ai-deposit-gathering-are-hot-topics-at-finovate-fall VentureTech, November 6-8 in Frisco, Texas: https://myventuretech.com/ Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on X @154Advisors Follow John on X @jbfintech

Sep 19, 2023 • 37min
Finovate’s Window into an Evolving Landscape
Glen’s annual recap of the 66 demos at Finovate Fall includes interviews with standouts Wysh and CD Valet, reflections on each of the six Best of Show winners, and observations on recurring themes across the agenda. Also, the unexpected return of Silicon Valley Bank. Links related to this episode: Finovate: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ Wysh: https://www.wysh.com/ CD Valet: https://cdvalet.com/ Our 2022 interview with Best of Show winner Debbie: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-new-guard-takes-center-stage Our April interview with Best of Show winner Mahalo Banking: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=big-ideas-fintech-madness-cuso-optional Join us Wednesday September 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for the latest edition of the CU Digital Town Hall, a live, lively and interactive meeting of industry leaders sharing best practices on the top issues impacting the credit union movement. Moderated by John Best of BIG and Mike Lawson of CU Broadcast: https://www.cutownhall.com/ (a replay will be available at the site after Sept 20) Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on X @154Advisors Follow John on X @jbfintech

Sep 12, 2023 • 36min
Would You Like Logic with That?
John and Glen weigh in on a wide array of current topics- bringing AI to the drive-thru, connecting DragonCon to credit unions, and anticipating the new Elon Musk autobiography. Also, John still sees potential in digital twins and Allen Iverson sees a new career angle. Links related to this episode: The Meaning of Life, according to Hardee’s: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fDswmVyDp20?app=desktop How many calories?: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y4J3lrBSP-A?app=desktop John’s Kickstarter for the Roamer’s Wrath board game: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jb1970/roamers-wrath WSJ’s Excerpt from the forthcomoing Elon Musk biography on Twitter’s takeover (subscription required): https://www.wsj.com/tech/elon-musk-twitter-x-takeover-walter-isaacson-5f553fa John’s interview with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak for TruStage’s Discovery2023 conference: https://events.trustage.com/discovery2023-on-demand The DeLorean Motor Company’s Alpha5 EV model/”digital twin”: https://nftevening.com/delorean-is-back-iconic-car-maker-accepting-nft-reservations-for-the-alpha5-electric-car/ Game Theory “In a DeLorean”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muWzEwCgPfk Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on X @154Advisors Follow John on X @jbfintech

Aug 29, 2023 • 28min
CU Relief for Ukraine
Glen speaks with Great Lakes Credit Union CEO Steven Bugg about a collaborative grassroots initiative to deliver relief to Ukrainian citizens, and how CUs nationwide can participate. Also- the only state that prohibits consumers from pumping their own gas passes a new law on…credit card surcharging. Links related to this episode: The CU Relief Fund for Ukraine: https://curelieffundforukraine.com/ Great Lakes Credit Union’s landing page for the CU Relief Fund: www.glcu.org/credit-union-relief-fund-for-ukraine/ Our poignant 2022 interview with Antonio Murha of Ukrainian Self-Reliance Credit Union: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=credit-unions-financial-lifeline-to-ukraine Coverage of Access Softek CEO Chris Doner’s 2022 visit to Ukraine: https://www.chicoer.com/2022/04/03/chico-man-boss-bring-aid-to-employees-in-ukraine/ Payments Dive’s reporting on New Jersey’s new card surcharging law: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/new-jersey-enacts-law-capping-surcharges/691578/ “Bank of Dave” gets a US release!: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bank_of_dave Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Aug 22, 2023 • 28min
The CUNA/NAFCU Merger- An Inside View
CUNA Board Vice-Chair and Cornerstone League CEO Caroline Willard shares her inside perspective on the pending CUNA/NAFCU merger. Also- Glen compares financial and grocery self-service, shares a new avenue for credit unions to aid Ukraine, and John checks an item off his bucket list. Links related to this episode: Caroline’s recent CU Insight article: https://www.cuinsight.com/building-a-stronger-state-and-federal-advocacy-machine/ CUNA”s landing page for CUNA/NAFCU merger news: https://www.cuna.org/about/cuna-and-nafcu-merger.html Cornerstone League: https://www.cornerstoneleague.coop/ John’s interview with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak for TruStage’s Discovery2023 conference: https://events.trustage.com/discovery2023-on-demand Trader Joe’s eschews self checkout: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/17/business/trader-joe-self-checkouts-cashier The CU Relief Fund for Ukraine: https://curelieffundforukraine.com/ Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Aug 15, 2023 • 34min
The Inside Pitch on Fintech South
An insightful chat with Cardlytics’ co-founder and former CEO Lynne Laube- now a partner with Valor Ventures- and Fintech Catalyst Robert Daniel of Georgia Tech’s ATDC, about September’s exciting startup competition including a few pitch tips from insiders. Also, Glen’s thoughts on PayPal’s new stablecoin and the Premier League’s payments connections. Links related to this episode: Fintech South: https://www.fintechsouth.com/ Valor Ventures: https://valor.vc/ ATDC: https://atdc.org/ PayPal: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/07/business/paypal-crypto-stablecoin/index.html AstroPay: https://astropay.com/ Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Aug 8, 2023 • 42min
Fintech- Hotter than the Headlines
Glen talks with Finovate’s Greg Palmer about the bumper crop of 60+ fintechs demoing at its September event despite widespread reports of a “funding freeze.” Patrick Sells, CEO/Co-Founder of True Digital (one of the presenting companies) joins to shed light on its collaborative vendor optimization platform. Also, reaction to the CUNA/NAFCU merger. Links related to this episode: Finovate Fall, Sept 11-13 in New York City: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ USE CODE BIG20 for a special BIGCast discount True Digital: https://truedigitalgroup.com/ Patrick Sells’ recent article about the hidden costs of innovation: https://www.bai.org/banking-strategies/the-hidden-costs-of-innovation/ CUNA’s resource page for its merger with NAFCU: https://www.cuna.org/about/cuna-and-nafcu-merger.html Chip Filson’s thoughts on the CUNA/NAFCU merger: https://chipfilson.com/2023/08/an-initial-reaction-to-the-nafcu-cuna-merger/ Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Aug 2, 2023 • 28min
The More Things (Inter)Change…
The latest on the Credit Card Competition Act, FedNow’s launch, and two credit union CEOs share their perspectives on deploying ChatGPT. Plus Glen actually says something (kind of) nice about Elon. Links related to this episode: Last week’s full CU Town Hall session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djZgiutF_JM BIG’s crowdsourced initiative to help everyone understand how credit unions are using Generative AI tools like ChatGPT: https://www.big-fintech.com/Products-Services/ChatGPT-for-Credit-Unions Digital Transactions’ recent coverage of the Credit Card Competition Act: https://www.digitaltransactions.net/the-ccca-wont-harm-card-issuers-ability-to-fund-rewards-cards-mpc-says/ The “Interchange Works” website (CUNA’s advocacy page): https://protectinterchange.com/ FedNow’s list of participants at launch: https://www.frbservices.org/financial-services/fednow/organizations Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech