Banking Transformed with Jim Marous

The pandemic has caused many banks to rethink their branch network strategy. For banks to be positioned for a future that includes greater reliance on digital delivery, organizations must explore ways that technology can enable stronger human interactions as well. It is clear that the role of the branch has changed dramatically over the past decade, but the importance of human connection still remains. But what is the right balance of physical and digital delivery for the future? And what is needed to transition to new models? We are very fortunate to have Mindy Mercaldo, Head of US Branch Network at Citi, to discuss the future of bank branch delivery and how to support growth with new delivery models. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by FIS Global  If you’re looking to transform, then look no further than FIS’s Modern Banking Platform. Cloud-enabled, containerized, open and secure – it’s built from the ground up to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of the digital age. More at: f

What is the foundation used to drive growth in an financial institution? If it's not data - it should be. Banks and credit unions have a wealth of insights that live within their account holder data. But, managing all of this data, and the accelerated speed at which it flows into the ecosystem can cripple an institution. Now more than ever, organizations must focus on leveraging both internal and external data to drive strategic decisions that can drive acquisition, share of wallet, loyalty and growth. Our guests are Marco Bernasconi, President of North Brookfield Savings Bank and Marla Pieton, VP of Marketing for Segmint. We discuss with how using data, at a foundation level, can drive growth in banking. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Segmint: Segmint empowers financial institutions and financial technology providers to easily understand and leverage data, interact with customers, and measure results. Derived from billions of transactions, Segmint provides the fastest and most accurate

Before the rise of PayPal, Venmo, and dozens of other new payment solutions, banks didn't look at the payments function as an epicenter for innovation. Times have changed. Digitization of front, middle, and back office processes, plus an explosion of fintech experimentation around the world, have turned the payments function into a competitive weapon rather than a cost center. In parallel, the rise of contextual or embedded finance mean that payments innovation is changing the operating models for banks and the industries they serve. Our guest is Mike Cook, global payments leader at IBM. We discuss how the center of transformation in banking is focused on payments and how legacy financial institutions can keep pace with a new generation of providers. This episode of Banking Transformed is sponsored by IBM: IBM has created a payments fabric where ecosystem members can easily, quickly and economically collaborate and consume payments services from banks, other Financial institutions, or FinTechs.. The IBM Pa

Despite increased investment in digital initiatives, financial institutions continue to be concerned that they are falling behind with digital transformation efforts that are needed to build real, long-term competitive advantages. Enabling digital engagement is not enough. Banks and credit unions must re-imagining banking from the inside out, changing both how banking is done, as well as what will create value in the digital era. Our guest is Daniel Latimore, chief research officer for Celent. He discusses the ways leading financial institutions are differentiating themselves with innovation, back-office reengineering, technology modernization and new leadership paradigms. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by FIS Global    If you’re looking to transform, then look no further than FIS’s Modern Banking Platform. Cloud-enabled, containerized, open and secure – it’s built from the ground up to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of the digital age. More at: fisglobal.com/modernbanking

In 2009, Shamir Karkal and several colleagues created the first digital-only bank of its kind in the U.S. Struggling to describe the benefits of a bank without branches, getting funding was a difficult process. As it turned out, Simple not only grew, but was one of the first neobanks to be acquired by a legacy financial institution. When Shamir tried to generate interest for his new financial technology start-up, Sila, he generated $5 million in funding in only a few months … in a marketplace that readily embraces fintech start-ups today. On the show, Shamir Karkal, Founder & CEO of Sila, discusses how innovation in the banking industry has changed since the early days of Simple, and what the prospects are for innovation and digital banking transformation in the future. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and se

Competition in the financial services sector has never been more intense. Banking boundaries, that once were defined geographically, have expanded globally as a result of digital functionality. While neighborhood financial institutions built their businesses on domestic transactions, today’s consumer and small businesses are sending and receiving funds from all around the world more frequently than ever. Our guest is Stephen Kuhl, Managing Director – Financial Institutions and Strategic Partnerships for Western Union Business Solutions. We discuss why offering international payment services can be a game-changer, how to overcome hurdles, and what action steps every community bank and credit union must take right now. Episode Sponsor Western Union Business Solutions is a global leader in international payment enablement for financial institutions. With hassle-free implementation, we offer a world-class, 24/7 digital platform where customers can send payments in 130+ currencies and receive foreign funds with

In order to survive in an increasingly competitive market, financial organizations must be able to correctly identify consumers to streamline the account opening and credit application processes. This includes those with limited profiles, which has long been a shortcoming of the banking industry. It’s important that organizations use new sources of data to combat fraud and improve the customer experience for all consumers, expanding the availability of banking services for a broader population. We are fortunate to have Zac Cohen, COO of Trulioo, a global identity verification company, on the show. Zac discusses how alternative data can be used to provide stronger digital identities and provide credit and other services to the previously underserved markets.

Some experts predict the demise of community banking organizations, that are challenged by changed consumer behavior, outdated infrastructure, an evolving competitive landscape, and the high cost of digital transformation. Is there a viable niche for community banks and credit unions in an industry that is increasingly dominated by huge mega-banks, or are we entering an era of ‘too small to succeed’? If there is a niche, what needs to be done today? Our guest is Jeff Marsico, President of The Kafafian Group, Inc. and author of the new book, 'Squared Away: How Can Bankers Succeed as Economic First Responders'. Jeff discusses the role community banks and credit unions can play in an increasingly demanding banking ecosystem. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and services, and redefine new ways of working. More at M

The marketplace is being disrupted by firms that were built on digital platforms. Their agility, foundation of data, analytics and modern technology position these firms advantageously in a world that wants personalization, speed and simplicity of engagement. Which companies will thrive and which will get crushed by the powerful forces in the global business landscape now at work? How can legacy organizations compete with digital giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple? Our guest is R “Ray” Wang, Principal Analyst, Founder, and Chairman of Constellation Research, Inc., author of the best-selling book, 'Disrupting Digital Business' and his upcoming book, 'Everybody Wants to Rule The World'.   This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and services, and redefine new ways of working. More at Microsoft.com/financi

More than at any time in the past, the largest banks in the U.S. have capitalized on their customers’ increased willingness to use digital financial services. U.S. Bank, the sixth largest bank in the country, has been one of the leaders in going beyond the basics in digital banking transformation. From streamlining new account opening and onboarding processes, to creating new ways to manage finances across channels, U.S. Bank combines innovation, modern technology and a focus on the customer experience to change the way people bank. Today’s guest is Dominic Venturo, senior executive vice president and chief digital officer at U.S. Bank. He discusses many of the ways that U.S. Bank has leveraged the recent changes in consumer behavior to increase efficiency and grow revenues. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products

Consumers are shopping for products and services, opening accounts, and building relationships using the channels they prefer. More than ever before, this is done on a mobile phone or online. The only way to support new account opening and deepen existing relationships is by seamlessly aligning your branches, call centers, and digital channels with a modern account opening and onboarding process. The guests for today’s show are Tami Ferguson, SVP and Director of Client Experience, for Washington Trust Bank and Zach Hamilton, Chief Digital Officer of Synovus. They will provide insights into how they have supported consumers across the customer journey with innovation that prioritizes customer needs. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by NCR Terafina: NCR Terafina unifies the digital onboarding and sales experience for banks and credit unions across the digital, branch, and call-center channels. NCR Terafina’s sales platform is a multichannel product suite offering the broadest spectrum of prod

Companies that use disruption as an opportunity for innovation emerge from it stronger, while companies that merely attempt to 'weather the storm' until things go back to normal miss an opportunity to thrive. Transformation is not a project or a destination, but a continuous process of adapting to a volatile and uncertain environment. But where does a financial institution begin? On this episode, we are joined for a second time by Jerry Kane from Boston College. Jerry is one of the 4 authors of the upcoming book, "The Transformation Myth: Leading Your Organization through Uncertain Times". We discuss the research and interviews done for the book, which offers a framework for understanding disruption and tools for navigating it. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and services, and redefine new ways of working.

Banks and credit unions are rethinking their distribution strategies as more people than ever are using digital channels. Despite this shift, closing all branches is not the best alternative. Neither is keeping them all open. Forward-thinking banks are adopting alternative models, including self-service banking that is complimented with new technology in a lean branch format. Organizations are realizing that optimal distribution begins by making all channels more efficient and effective. The guest for this Banking Transformed Solutions episode is Mark Aldred, Head of Sales for Auriga. We discuss how bank branches are only one component of an improved distribution strategy, as organizations strive to embed banking within a consumer's daily life. This Episode is Sponsored by Auriga Auriga, leading supplier of software and technological solutions for the banking and payments industries, wants to help bank branches avoid closure by moving to a “Lean Bank Branch” model. This reinvents branches as leaner operati

The majority of financial institutions rank improving customer experience as their top mission, but few organizations get rave reviews. In fact, since the pandemic, it could be argued that the banking industry is doing a worse job in meeting consumer expectations. On this episode, we discuss how financial institutions need to reset their strategies around improving CX in a digital world. The competition has expanded, and consumers understand what is possible. The question is whether financial institutions are ready? We are joined by Jay Baer, one of the foremost leaders in the world of customer experience and marketing. He is founder of Convince & Convert, and the author of six best-selling books, including his newest book, “Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth.” This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experience

Doing good for the community, employees and customers goes well beyond philanthropy. Organizations need to look within to embed sustainability and social responsibility strategies into their business model, their culture and the people and organizations they interact with. Now more than ever, businesses need to think beyond profits and look at their entire value creation process to the world as a whole. What organizations will find is that there isn’t just a moral imperative for businesses and organizations to behave responsibly, but a financial one as well. We are fortunate to have Theo Lau and Bradley Leimer on the show today. They are the founders of Unconventional Ventures, and the authors of a brand new book, Beyond Good: How Technology is Leading a Purpose-driven Business Revolution. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across chan

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) solutions have grown in prominence as new players and payments incumbents are battling for market share. This includes firms like Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, QuadPay, Sezzle, and Splitit, as well as legacy payment firms like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Amex. How will these providers will impact traditional POS card volume or damage the appeal of retailers’ private-label cards? And, who will win the battle for the younger consumer who is drawn to this payment option? We are joined by Adam Hughes, the CEO of Amount, a fintech provider that offers a robust point-of-sale financing product suite. Adam discusses the growth of the buy now, pay later marketplace, and how traditional financial institutions can remain competitive for this business. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and service

The pandemic has served to accelerate the relevance and importance of open banking as consumers become more willing to try alternative banking providers to get their digital banking needs met. At the same time, there has been a rise in contactless payments, as consumers replace cash at the point of sale. These dual market forces have provided an opportunity for big tech players, such as Apple, Amazon and Google to increasingly expand their platforms into financial services. We are joined by Pinar Ozcan, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Saïd Business School at Oxford University. Pinar discusses how innovation in banking has been impacted by the pandemic, and the rise of big tech platforms. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and services, and redefine new ways of working. More at Microsoft.com

Over the past year, Marcus by Goldman Sachs has continued to expand offerings, including teaming up with Amazon and Walmart to offer loans to sellers on their marketplaces, buying the General Motors credit card business, launching Marcus Insights smart tools and trackers, and most recently, announcing the offering of a digital investing platform. All of this is before the long-anticipated addition of a digital checking account.. We are very fortunate to be joined by Sonali Divilek, head of product for consumer business at Goldman Sachs, which includes Marcus by Goldman Sachs. Sonali discusses the product development strategy of Marcus, and how a partnership mentality has helped Marcus become a force in the retail banking ecosystem. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences across channels, products and services, and redefine new ways of wo

One of the biggest problems facing legacy banking organizations today is leveraging data and advanced analytics to drive digital transformation, creating hyper-personalized experiences, supporting an innovative culture, and solving consumer challenges with appropriate technology. One organization that has emerged as a data-centric leader is TD Bank. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, TD Bank is a top 10 bank with 85,000 employees and more than 26 million customers. Branding itself as America’s Most Convenient Bank, TD has quickly responded to the needs of the digital consumer. We are very fortunate to have John Thomas, EVP and head of global innovation at TD Bank on the show. John discusses how a data-driven culture positions this legacy financial institution to be a major force in banking well into the future. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer e

According to the Digital Banking Report, the top priority of the majority of financial institutions is to advance digital transformation. But what is the best way to proceed? And, where should organizations start? People’s United Bank, a regional bank based in Connecticut started by forming a “business transformation office” to focus on digitization and technology development. The team is responsible for optimizing and automating back office processes as well as setting up partnerships with financial technology companies. To understand how a $60 billion dollar bank has advanced digital transformation, we are joined by Ravi Vakacherla, EVP and chief transformation officer at People’s United. Ravi shares his perspective on where organizations should start and the roadblocks to digital transformation. This Episode of Banking Transformed is Sponsored by Microsoft: See how Microsoft can help to unlock new opportunities at speed through innovative business models, deliver differentiated customer experiences a