BankTalk Podcast

Following the recent rate hike on September 16, we invited the team from Darling Consulting Group back to shed light on the aftermath and what may be ahead.

Zach Zoia, Managing Director, and Vinny Clevenger, Managing Director at Darling Consulting Group and co-host of the On the Balance Sheet podcast, discuss the opportunities facing financial institutions as the rate cycle continues to evolve. They explore the challenges of managing a growing economy while addressing elevated inflation, and what banks should be considering as they prepare for planning season.

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Join Ben Kinseth VP of Development/Finance at Kinseth Hospitality as we discuss the hotel and hospitality industry. We explore how individual hotels are planned, financed, developed, and managed, as well as the complexities of distressed hotel properties and the broader trends impacting the hospitality sector.

If you'd like to connect with Ben or learn more, you can reach him at [email protected].

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Millennials are navigating student debt, rising housing costs, entrepreneurship, and family life, all while approaching the largest wealth transfer in history. In this episode of BankTalk, Jordan Kelly sits down with Sumeet Grover, EVP and Chief Strategic Growth & Digital Officer at UFCU, to explore what Millennials expect from their financial institutions and how community banks and credit unions can build lasting relationships through relevance, trust, and meaningful financial guidance. Listen in for insights on member loyalty, multi-banking, digital experiences, and helping members achieve real financial progress.

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Sports betting and prediction markets are growing rapidly, particularly among younger consumers. In this episode of BankTalk, Sean Cunningham speaks with Stephen Arnold of Filene and Mitch Rutledge of Vertice AI about new research based on millions of anonymized member records and billions of transactions, exploring trends in wagering activity, its concentration among Gen Z and Millennial consumers, and the potential relationship between betting behavior, savings balances, and overall financial wellness.

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Join Jarryd Briggs from Reativ as he explores the roles and responsibilities of Treasury Management and the Asset Liability Committee (ALCO) within your financial institution. We'll take a look at a day in the life of the Treasury Department, covering cash management, interest rate risk, liquidity planning, and the strategic initiatives that help drive financial performance. If you'd like to continue this conversation with Jarryd, you can reach him on LinkedIn or at [email protected]

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Brian Flemming, President and Principal at Solidus, joins BankTalk to separate fact from fiction. As digital banking continues to evolve, many question the future of the physical branch. Brian shares his expert perspective on how branches are adapting, what the modern branch experience looks like, and why brick-and-mortar locations still play a critical role in serving customers and communities.

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This week's bonus episode dives into a timely payments story that highlights the challenges businesses can face when things go wrong in today's digital payment ecosystem. Join Charlie Kelly, Partner at Remedy Consulting and frequent host of BankTalk, as he shares a bizarre but true story involving QuickBooks and a business-to-business payment that never reached its intended recipient. What followed was a frustrating and surprisingly complex effort to recover the funds from one of the largest fintech companies in the industry.

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Innovation is no longer a future goal—it's a necessity for survival and growth. Justin Dunmyer of ICBA joins us to discuss the strategies community banks need to embrace continuous innovation, prioritize initiatives with the greatest impact, foster a culture of change, and deliver measurable results. Discover how forward-thinking institutions are transforming challenges into opportunities and positioning themselves for long-term success.

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Solar lending may sound complex, but at its core it's all about understanding cash flow, risk, and project execution. In this episode, Jillian Wagner of North Easton Savings Bank breaks down how commercial solar projects are financed, what makes a deal bankable, and where lenders need to be cautious. From tax incentives and energy offtake agreements to construction challenges and policy changes, this conversation offers a candid look at the opportunities and realities of financing renewable energy projects.

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Artificial Intelligence is everywhere—but what does it actually mean for community financial institutions? In this episode, Keith Fulton, Chief Data Officer at Jack Henry, joins BankTalk to explore how core providers are leveraging AI to help community financial institutions improve operations, enhance customer experiences, and make smarter decisions. Keith breaks down the differences between machine learning, generative AI, and AI agents in a way that every community bank CEO and executive can understand. Tune in for practical use cases, real-world applications, and a look at what's coming next as AI becomes a bigger part of the banking landscape.

Dan Hartman, Of Counsel at Nutter, joins us to discuss the implications of Kevin Warsh's appointment as Federal Reserve Chair on May 22, succeeding Jerome Powell. We explore what Powell's next move could be, why his continued presence in the financial landscape matters, and how Warsh may reshape the Fed's approach to forward guidance, inflation modeling, and monetary policy. As leadership transitions at the Federal Reserve, important questions emerge about the future direction of U.S. economic policy and the broader financial framework.

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Asset-based lending is booming—but one key challenge remains: can you actually trust the value of your collateral? In this episode, Charlie sits down with Thomas Galbraith, CEO of Barkr, to explore why asset valuations have historically been inconsistent, how private credit stepped in as banks pulled back, and how new, data-driven approaches are helping lenders better understand and manage risk in this growing space.

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Cannabis banking is complex, highly regulated, and full of opportunity. In this episode, Kristin Stowe of Credit Union 1 shares what it really takes to serve this underserved industry—from compliance and operational challenges to pricing and long-term strategy.

We cover key differences from traditional banking, why starting with deposits matters, and what’s ahead as the industry evolves. Whether you're exploring cannabis banking or refining your approach, this episode offers practical, real-world insight.

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Joe Bergquist of The Banker Next Door joins us to unpack the FDIC’s recent report on bank lending to non‑depository financial institutions (NDFIs). Joe walks through the supercharged growth within the NDFI space, highlighting what’s driving expansion and where banks are placing their bets.

We break down the types of borrowers, examine concentration trends across banks, and discuss what these findings mean for balance sheets, risk management, and future regulatory focus. Whether you’re tracking indirect exposure or actively lending into the space, this conversation provides timely context and practical insight into one of banking’...

Lori Wilson of Remedy Consulting joins BankTalk to break down key trends reshaping the software ecosystem for community financial institutions.

In this episode, we explore the growing influence of private equity ownership across banking software providers and consulting firms—and what that means for long-term partnerships, pricing, and product direction. We also take a closer look at open banking initiatives and the digital migration strategies underway at the largest core providers, unpacking how these shifts could impact your next software contract.

Whether you’re planning a core renewal, evaluating fintech partnerships, or simply trying to stay...

In a market defined by uncertainty, standing still on the balance sheet may be the biggest risk of all. Zach Zoia of Darling Consulting Group—and co‑host of the On the Balance Sheet podcast—joins us to unpack how financial institutions should be thinking about rate risk, balance sheet strategy, and margin pressures amid persistent yield curve volatility. We dive into how recent global events, including heightened geopolitical tensions, private credit stress, and shifting risk appetite, are influencing bank decision‑making today—and why loan and deposit pricing discipline will matter more than ever as we move into 2026. Whether yo...

In 2021, PeoplesBank transitioned its core banking system to Nymbus, after the transition of its digital bank Zynlo, the previous year. Aleda DeMaria EVP, COO of Peoples Bank spearheaded the integration of a new modern core, and she joins us to reflect on a strategic partnership with Nymbus. Is your bank interested? Hear from Aleda on the strategies to prepare for this unique conversion and ways to achieve a successful transition. 

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So, you’re thinking about entering the M&A arena as a buyer? Join Kenny Haglund and Beau Hurtig from Ballard Spahr, LLP, as they walk through a practical checklist of considerations every prospective community bank buyer should evaluate to ensure a smooth acquisition process.

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Stablecoin — is it a threat or an opportunity for community bankers?

Since the passing of the GENIUS Act, the debate over how stablecoin issuers should be regulated has continued to grow. Join Robert Zondag, Partner at Wipfli Advisory, as we discuss stablecoins, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the potential threats and opportunities they present for community bankers.

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We are in a data cold war that is beginning to warm up. Today, community banks only hold 20%-25% of their customers’ total financial data, due to the financial fragmentation of average Americans. With this massive data deficit on customers, bankers are realizing the need to switch from defense to offense when it comes to gathering information that can be put to work for the bank. Open banking is the best way to plug those data deficits by securing customers’ permission to aggregate their disparate financial data back to the bank from the 10-15 other financial service providers they typi...

Join the discussion with Beth McCoy, CEO of CORA Loyalty, on CORA Group’s recent survey of over 2,000 adults that found the top factor influencing which credit card Americans choose is Loyalty and rewards programs (50%). Rewards won out ahead of convenience (38%), credit limit (36%), fees (32%), interest rate (32%), and security / fraud protection (31%). We dive deep into comprehensive loyalty programs, and share actionable insights into how FI’s can turn this consumer interest into revenue-driving banking relationships.

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Join us for a discussion with Adam Gregg, CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association as we explore the positive impacts brought about by the Trump Administration and how those policies are impacting bankers. Adam also unpacks the areas he believes will most influence bank leaders as they look ahead to 2026.

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We sat down with Martyn Wallen, Executive Director & Co-Founder, and Gino Brenzini, Executive Director & COO of Quantum Six. Their team helps banks, credit unions, and fintech’s modernize core systems and maximize technology investments through ecosystem strategies—driving agility and long-term value in a landscape shaped by cloud, AI, and composable architectures.

We explore key banking trends in the UK versus the US, uncover lessons learned by European banks, and share actionable insights for U.S. financial institutions navigating digital transformation.

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John Blizzard, CEO and President of Seattle Bank and founder of CD Valet discusses what banks should consider ahead of potential rate cuts, why CDs bad rap as 'hot money' is undeserved, and how digital marketing and pricing strategies can level the playing field.

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Scott Hildenbrand, Managing Director at Piper Sandler joins us as we review discussions bank boards should be having as they enter budget and strategic planning season.  We discuss raising capital and taking balance sheet losses as strategic moves to improve future earnings.  

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John Doherty, Principal at Wolf and Company discusses the implications of the Big, Beautiful Bill that was signed on July 4th for bankers and their commercial and retail customers. We spend some time in this episode discussing President Trump’s Executive Order to open defined contribution retirement plans to alternative investments like crypto currency and private equity investments.

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In today’s episode we talk with the new CEO of Northfield Savings Bank in Vermont, Joe Bator. We discussed various sales strategies, including what works well for his institution and any crossover insights from other industries. Joe’s background is a unique blend of experience at both large institutions and startup banks, each with successful growth roadmaps. It was insightful to hear how he’s applying some of those proven methods to the community banking space today. Sales is often a copycat game—when something works, it’s worth considering how to adapt and apply those successful tactics.

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Join our discussion with Keith Riddle, General Manager of Payfinia, about Digital Wallets and the important costs and considerations. Are digital wallets a threat to interchange revenue? What are the pros and cons of an FI-supplied digital wallet vs. pushing customers to Apple Pay? What are the revenue opportunities in this space for community FIs to meet customer expectations and build revenue? We dive into all this and more. 

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We sat down with Matt Potere, CEO of Happy Money, to discuss the staggering $17.5 trillion of consumer debt in the US, and Happy Money’s recent Credit Check-In study which analyzed consumer financial stress. The high percentage of consumer credit card debt creates an opportunity for FIs to alleviate consumer stress through personal loans. We deep dive into how this asset base builds long-term customers for FIs. 

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Peter Stenehjem joins BankTalk to share First International Bank and Trust’s history and explain his experience as the 4th generation leader of the bank. Peter touches upon the family discussions for his path to CEO, FIBT’s concentration in the mineral industry and how they’ve built their Kotapay technology with Kavinu platform to be a high performing bank.

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Join us as we sit down with Tom Knapp of Freshriver.AI and discuss how to make AI usable for community banks and credit unions. Tom explains the technical side of AI briefly, then explains for the non-technical user some use cases for where and how AI might be beneficial.

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Brennan Summers joins BankTalk to share how Stukent is improving financial literacy within the US. Through partnerships with local FI’s, the simulations create exposure to real life scenarios and career paths, within schools and their communities.

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We sat down with Patrick Sentner, EVP at Colliers and past President of the Society of industrial and Office Realtors, to discuss the state of office property and office vacancies. We also spend some time discussing how real estate financing aligns with tenant leasing terms. 

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We sat down with Elizabeth Eurgubian, former NCUA Board Member, to explore the current state of the National Credit Union Administration and what it means for the financial services industry. The NCUA is structured to operate with a bipartisan, three-member board--with members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Since the election, the NCUA Board has been functioning with fewer than three members, raising important questions about oversight, governance, and decision-making. This episode will examine the practical and policy implications for the financial services industry when the NCUA Board is not fully staffed, and whether this could...

Join Jon Waldman, President and Co-Founder of SBS Cybersecurity (website), as we discuss how fraudsters are evolving with ever-more creative ways of scamming businesses and account holders. We touch on some interesting statistics on which age groups are being targeted, and the losses from successful scams.

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Join us as we discuss how Michael Crowl, CEO of University Federal Credit Union, envisions growing virtually and via brick-and-mortar branches. Through use of client data, UFCU makes better investment decisions on where and when to expand to new markets.

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Join us in this episode as we discover the advantages of a shared services model, what happens in an affiliation between mutual banks, and how specific items such as technology contracts are negotiated. Jason Hicks, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp CFO takes us through these topics from his perspective and experience while also discussing a national grass roots campaign called Mutual Matters. 

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Join Kevin Pernick, President and CEO of Bank Plus, as we discuss an informational survey done on bank leadership.  Amongst other things, the results show a correlation between leadership styles, organizational trust, and bank financial results.

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Join us in this episode as we explore how First Fidelity Bank (FFB) is transforming its deposit growth strategy by leveraging a new digital platform. Facing competition from regional banks, neobanks, digital banks, and third-party fintechs, FFB has adopted a digital-first approach to attract new account holders. Starting with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), FFB has seen tremendous results and is now expanding the platform to other consumer and business account channels. Join us as we discuss this successful partnership with John Symcox, CIO of FFB, and Philip Paul, CEO of Cotribute.  

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Join Jason Mork, Director at Piper Sandler, as we delve into the world of the Graduate School of Banking (GSB). With experience as both a student and faculty member at various GSB institutions, Jason offers a unique perspective on the benefits and opportunities these programs provide. Discover who can benefit from GSB, the latest trends in the field, and valuable insights from someone who has seen it all from both sides of the classroom.

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