In this episode of Banking Transformed, I sit down with Robert Watts, VP of Consumer Credit at D.L. Evans Bank, a $3 billion community bank serving Southern Idaho and Northern Utah. We discuss how the bank is embracing the power of instant loan decisioning, balancing risk, compliance, and customer needs.Watts highlights the bank's extraordinary growth, transitioning from processing 100-200 loan applications annually to around 300 monthly applications, mainly due to rethinking internal processes and collaborating with innovative partners.Watts also advises other financial institutions embarking on digital transformation, recommending a step-by-step approach, embracing change, and avoiding the temptation to implement all changes simultaneously.This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by MeridianLinkMeridianLink® (NYSE: MLNK) powers digital lending and account opening for financial institutions and provides data verification solutions for consumer reporting agencies. MeridianLink’s scalable, cloud-based platforms help customers build deeper relationships with consumers through data-driven, personalized experiences across the entire lending life cycle.MeridianLink enables customers to accelerate revenue growth, reduce risk, and exceed consumer expectations through seamless digital experiences. Its partner marketplace supports hundreds of integrations for tailored innovation. For more than 20 years, MeridianLink has prioritized the democratization of lending for consumers, businesses, and communities. Learn more at meridianlink.com.

Two years ago, we introduced you to the Debbie app, an innovative rewards platform aimed at improving financial wellness. We're excited to welcome back Frida Leibowitz, one of Debbie's co-founders, to discuss their journey since our last conversation.In a world where economic uncertainty has become the norm, the need to transform borrowers into wealth builders has never been more crucial. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we explore how the Debbie app has evolved, the challenges it has faced, and the impact it has had on users' financial behaviors.Join us as we delve into Debbie's growth story, their adaptive strategies, and their vision for the future of financial wellness.

In an industry where security, efficiency, and client relationships are paramount, having an integrated and democratized document and information management platform is more important than ever.In this episode of Banking Transformed, we explore the evolving landscape of document and information management in financial services with Matt Geiger from Sharefile. We discuss critical challenges banks and credit unions face and how innovative solutions can address these issues head-on.Matt also touches on the future of financial document management, including the role of AI and machine learning in creating more personalized, secure, and efficient systems.This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by SharefileShareFile helps professionals deliver modernized client experiences with collaboration and workflow technology that is highly secure, easy to use, and customizable to fit their organization’s unique needs. Designed with highly regulated industries in mind, ShareFile offers secure, digital technology to simplify workflows and improve collaboration. ShareFile works with your existing technologies and gives you added visibility, speed, and efficiency, without sacrificing security.Visit sharefile.com

Jeremiah Lotz, SVP of Product & Data Experience at Velera and former expert at PSCU/Co-op Solutions, delves into the power of data in financial services. He discusses how banks can leverage data for strategic decisions and enhance customer experiences while balancing AI and human insights. The conversation highlights the importance of clear data strategies, overcoming silos, and investing in analytics to achieve personalization. Jeremiah also addresses the challenges institutions face and emphasizes the need for leadership to drive successful data initiatives.

As financial institutions face growing competition and increasing regulatory pressure, AI could unlock unprecedented efficiency, innovation, and growth—if only they could overcome the hesitation that holds them back.In this episode of Banking Transformed, we sit down with Sandeep Mangaraj, Microsoft's Managing Director of Fintech, to explore the critical role of speed in AI transformation for financial services.Sandeep discusses the barriers to AI adoption in financial services, the risks of falling behind in this fast-moving technology landscape, and the tangible benefits of empowering employees with AI tools today. He also shares insights into how banks can experiment with AI responsibly while building the foundations for long-term success. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by Microsoft:Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.More at Microsoft.com/financialservices

In an era of digital transformation reshaping the financial landscape, understanding shifts in consumer behavior is crucial for banks and credit unions aiming to stay competitive. Today, we have Dave Feuer, the Chief Product Officer at Galileo, on the Banking Transformed Podcast. We delve into the fragmentation of banking relationships, the satisfaction paradox, and the imperative for data-driven personalization across generations.We discuss the challenges and opportunities these shifts present for traditional banks and credit unions, the importance of leveraging real-time data, and the need for seamless digital experiences.This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by GalileoGalileo Financial Technologies, LLC and certain of its affiliates collectively comprise a financial technology company owned and operated independently by SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFI) that enables fintechs, financial institutions, and emerging and established brands to build differentiated financial solutions that deliver exceptional, customer-centric experiences. Through modern, open APIs, Galileo’s flexible, secure, scalable and fully integrated platform drives innovation across payments and financial services. Trusted by digital banking heavyweights, early-stage innovators and enterprise clients alike, Galileo supports issuing physical and virtual payment cards, mobile push provisioning, tailored and differentiated financial products and more, across industries and geographies.Visit galileo-ft.com for more information

David Acevedo, president of 360View, explores the transformative power of a 360-degree understanding of customers in banking. He discusses how this holistic view enhances marketing, product development, and customer experience. Acevedo shares insights on the importance of integrating CRM systems with core banking and the role of technology in improving client relationships. He also highlights the challenges of tech adoption and advocates for strategic partnerships, particularly for smaller financial institutions, to leverage data insights effectively.

In this episode of Banking Transformed, we sit down with Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer of Money20/20, to explore the remarkable journey of this unique fintech and financial services event.Since its inception in 2012, Money20/20 has grown from a startup conference to a global phenomenon, mirroring the rapid evolution of the banking industry itself. Scarlett shares insights on industry trends, the challenges facing traditional banks, and the innovations shaping our financial future.Join us for a fascinating look at how Money20/20 has both witnessed and catalyzed the transformation of banking over the past decade.

In this episode of Banking Transformed, recorded at MeridianLink LIVE in Nashville, I interview Janel Hartin, Senior Loan Administrator at Bangor Savings Bank. We discuss the bank's digital transformation journey, focusing on streamlining the lending process and enhancing customer experience.Hartin shares insights into Bangor Savings Bank's evolution from a paper-based lending system to a fully digital process, highlighting the bank's advancements in achieving rapid loan processing times and improving customer service.Hartin emphasizes the importance of balancing digital innovation with maintaining strong community connections, covering topics such as risk management, employee training, and strategies for engaging younger customers.This episode of Banking Transformed Solutions is sponsored by MeridianLinkMeridianLink® (NYSE: MLNK) powers digital lending and account opening for financial institutions and provides data verification solutions for consumer reporting agencies. MeridianLink’s scalable, cloud-based platforms help customers build deeper relationships with consumers through data-driven, personalized experiences across the entire lending life cycle.MeridianLink enables customers to accelerate revenue growth, reduce risk, and exceed consumer expectations through seamless digital experiences. Its partner marketplace supports hundreds of integrations for tailored innovation. For more than 20 years, MeridianLink has prioritized the democratization of lending for consumers, businesses, and communities. Learn more at meridianlink.com.

Today on the Banking Transformed podcast, we’re joined by Jaime Dominguez, Principal Product Marketer at Q2, to discuss their groundbreaking report on cross-generational banking preferences. This study, conducted in partnership with Harris Research, offers crucial insights into how financial institutions can deliver personalized experiences across different age groups.We discuss the surprising similarities in banking preferences across generations, the high level of trust in the banking industry, and the strong desire for personalized experiences. We'll also delve into the role of AI in fraud detection, the importance of data-driven personalization, and Gen Z's unique banking behaviors.The findings challenge some common assumptions about generational differences in banking preferences and highlight important opportunities for financial institutions.