Banking on Digital Growth – Details, episodes & analysis

Financial brands often focus on digital transformation and new technologies to drive growth, but they miss a critical piece: human transformation. Without aligning their teams and culture to embrace change, even the best technology won’t unlock new opportunities. Sticking to old habits while trying to implement new technologies creates roadblocks, misaligned efforts, and frustrating customer experiences. If nothing changes internally, no amount of digital investment will drive the desired results.

In this episode, James Robert Lay and Danny Varghese, President of Fortimize, discuss how financial brands can break through these barriers by focusing on human transformation first. By building a culture that values adaptability, communication, and continuous learning, organizations can effectively implement digital tools and unlock new growth opportunities. Listen to learn how to set the foundation for both human and digital transformation in 2025.

Join us as we discuss:

-Challenges in Customer Acquisition (07:50)

-Opportunities for Efficiency and Relationship Building (13:20)

-People, Process, Technology, and Data (26:33)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

There’s no sugar coating it: Your bank or credit union is losing money—right now—because of hidden blind spots in your customer journey. If you don’t take action, these problems will persist, costing you even more in 2025. The longer you wait, the more you risk falling behind your competition. But the real issue? You probably aren’t even aware of just how many loans and deposits your bank or credit union is losing. 

That’s why we created the Digital Growth Accelerator Program. It’s the quickest and easiest way to get everything you need to accelerate loan and deposit growth in 2025 through research-driven assessments, practical action plans, and collaboration with like-minded peers. It makes growth accessible with minimal time and financial investment, all while providing hands-on guidance from the experts at the Digital Growth Institute. Now is the time to take action and ensure you thrive in 2025.

Join us as we discuss:

-Introducing the Digital Growth Accelerator (11:45)

-The Value of the Accelerator Program (23:23)

-Addressing Common Objections: Time and Budget (29:13)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Practical Perspectives series we share how a regional bank’s 67% abandonment rate on personal loans translates into a staggering loss of $100 million annually in interest income. The situation is further amplified by the fact that the brand is investing in paid advertisements to drive traffic to these pages, and only 25% of users are even attempting the application process. 

Join us as we discuss how small, incremental optimizations (like a mere 5% increase in application starts and a similar reduction in abandonment rates) can potentially recapture millions in lost interest income annually. Addressing and optimizing even the seemingly minor aspects of the digital customer journey can lead to substantial revenue recovery and growth for financial brands.

Join us as we discuss:

-Case Study: Regional Financial Brand's Abandoned Applications (02:11)

-Calculating the Financial Impact of Abandoned Applications (07:43)

-The Power of Incremental Changes (14:44)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The industry is at a crossroads, with banks and credit unions clamoring for deposits and customer retention, while fintechs are rapidly innovating to attract the same customers. The transactional nature of current financial services fails to provide a comprehensive view of a consumer's financial health, leading to missed opportunities for engagement and support.

Raymond den Hond, Chief Commercial Officer at MX, joined the show to share his vision for the future of financial services, which involves creating a consumer-centric financial wellness feed, similar to the interactive nature of social media platforms. 

By aggregating data across multiple financial relationships and applying machine learning and AI, institutions can offer actionable insights directly to consumers. 

Join us as we discuss:

-Financial wellness and data-driven insights in banking. (10:02)

-Using data to create personalized financial experiences. (14:37)

-Rebuilding trust in financial services through consumer-centric approaches. (23:11)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The world of digital currency, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs, is often shrouded in confusion and misinformation. This lack of clarity breeds fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD), as well as a fear of missing out (FOMO) during market highs. The sensational headlines and the rapid pace of technological and regulatory changes only add to the confusion, making it difficult for individuals and financial brand leaders to make informed decisions or even approach the subject with a healthy curiosity.

In this episode of the Exponential Insights series, host James Robert Lay and distinguished guest Professor Tonya Evans demystify digital money. Tonya, an expert in intellectual property and new technologies at Penn State Dickinson Law, discusses her new book "Digital Money Demystified." She addresses the myths and realities of digital currencies, provides insights into the use of crypto assets, and explains the significance of NFTs and DAOs.

Join us as we discuss:

-The evolution of money and value in the digital age (9:47)

-Cryptocurrency, decentralization, and financial privacy (16:15)

-Digital money opportunities for businesses and individuals (29:29)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the age of AI and digital transformation, businesses, especially in the financial industry, are struggling to connect with their audience. The mindset of treating sales and marketing as an assembly line, where customers are pushed through a predefined process, is outdated and doesn't resonate with today's consumers. They seek genuine human interaction, expertise, and personalized guidance.

Peter Caputa, CEO of Databox joined the show to share why he believes collaborative growth is the way forward for financial brands and fintechs. It emphasizes continuous learning from customers, prospects, and industry peers. By integrating expertise into the customer journey and facilitating genuine human interactions, financial brands can differentiate themselves and achieve sustainable growth.

Join us as we discuss:

-Human vs. AI in financial services. (11:40)

-Collaborative growth in marketing and sales. (16:52)

-Leveraging LinkedIn and social media for business growth. (28:52)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The world has been hit hard. First, a health crisis, then financial, societal, and now a mental crisis. The age of AI has ushered in exponential change, and for many, this change feels overwhelming, scary, and mentally draining. The weight of guiding communities beyond financial stress, coupled with the pressure to adapt to digital growth, can take a toll on teams and leaders alike.

In this episode of the Behind the Cover series with Audrey Cannata, we discuss David Dibble's "The New Agre ements in the Workplace: Releasing the Human Spirit" which offers insights and  principles that are still relevant today. The book emphasizes the importance of nurturing the human spirit, finding one's path or personal purpose, and genuinely loving and supporting team members. By applying these principles, organizations can guide their teams towards a brighter future, ensuring a positive digital experience rooted in a positive human experience.

Join us as we discuss:

-Finding purpose and awareness in work. (8:08)

-Fear and love in leadership and growth. (16:13)

-Overcoming negative experiences and transforming minds. (26:50)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Gen Z is on the rise in the mobile banking sector, set to represent a significant portion of global income by 2030. However, a staggering 90% of marketing efforts targeted at Gen Z are ineffective, leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities for financial brands.

Financial institutions are struggling to connect, and their outdated methods are failing to capture the attention and trust of this crucial demographic.

Harrison Hochman, Co-founder and CEO at Sparrow, the world's most powerful student loan search engine, joins the show to discuss the biggest Gen Z growth opportunities for financial brands. Those that adapt and meet Gen Z where they are will be better positioned for future growth.

Join us as we discuss:

-Challenges in implementing "help first, sell second" approach in financial institutions. (6:22)

-Addressing Gen Z's financial challenges through collaborations. (18:40)

-Financial coaching for Gen Z. (29:45)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Financial brands face challenges in collaborating with fintechs, despite the exponential growth opportunities, especially in the age of AI. Financial institutions have overspent on technology during the COVID era, leading to unused software and long-term contracts.

Kyle Ray, Co-founder and CEO at Advintro, joins the show  to explore the biggest growth opportunities for fintechs and financial brands, rooted at the heart of collaboration.

Kyle believes that trust, transparent and setting clear expectations can foster a strong partnership between financial brands and fintech, allowing them to co-create value, aligning their perspectives and goals for mutual growth.

Join us as we discuss:

-Fintech partnerships and mindsets for growth. (5:24)

-Potential roadblocks that could derail collaboration (14:31)

-Opportunities to provide financial brands with guidance and expertise. (21:20)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The primary obstacle to growth for financial brands in the AI era isn't technology but people. Despite many digital transformations not meeting expectations, the real challenge lies in the team's ability to adapt and use new technologies. However, focusing on human transformation alongside digital change can turn these challenges into growth opportunities. 

In the latest episode, Pia Wendelbo, CEO of Scandinavian Change Agents with over 15 years of experience in leading change for major financial institutions in Europe, joins the show to discuss how to guide teams through this era of rapid AI-driven change.

Join us we discuss:

-Employee experience in digital transformation. (7:41)

-Team dynamics, failure, and trust-building in digital growth. (28:53)

-Change management and leadership in digital transformation. (35:22)

You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.