Most marketing teams are stuck in a turf war—and it’s costing financial brands real growth. On one side, brand teams are chasing awareness. On the other, performance marketers are pushing for conversions. Both mean well. But without a shared strategy, they're pulling in opposite directions—and the only real result is internal competition, wasted budget, and missed growth opportunities.

In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, James Robert Lay and co-host Derik Krauss return to bridge the divide between art and science in financial brand marketing. They unpack how collaborative cultures, rooted in testing and iteration, transform subjective ideas into measurable outcomes. You’ll learn how to turn gut-based marketing into data-driven performance, why AB testing isn't just for emails, and how small conversion lifts can lead to million-dollar gains.

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Digital marketing in many financial institutions still leans heavily on the art—intuition, creativity, and guesswork—while neglecting the science of performance data, testing, and iterative optimization. As a result, efforts often lack measurable ROI and fail to meaningfully move the needle on loans and deposits.

The stakes have never been higher. Digital noise is at an all-time high. AI is flooding the market with more content than ever before. If marketing is not grounded in data and constant experimentation, it's just decoration—pretty, but ineffective. Financial brands that ignore the science behind digital growth risk wasting budget, losing trust, and falling behind competitors who are measuring what matters and learning faster.

James Robert Lay and Derik Krauss explore how financial brands can integrate the art of storytelling and design with the science of data, testing, and behavioral insight. They’ll introduce a balanced approach—combining empathy-driven messaging with A/B testing, conversion tracking, and funnel optimization—to drive smarter, more scalable results.

Join us as we discuss:

-The Importance of Measuring Marketing Success (5:07)

-Practical Steps to Integrate Science into Marketing (11:58)

-Conversion Funnels and Their Impact (15:43)

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

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Let’s be honest—too many financial brands are still operating like it’s 1999. Websites stuck in the past. Strategies rooted in branch-first thinking. Growth models that haven’t evolved with consumer expectations. In this reboot of Banking on Digital Growth, host James Robert Lay is joined by new co-host Derik Krauss, co-founder of MetriFi, for a no-holds-barred conversation about what it really takes to lead in a digital-first world.

If you're tired of hearing "digital transformation" without seeing real action, this episode is your wake-up call. From the hidden cost of digital blind spots to the hard truth of The Innovator’s Dilemma, James and Derik unpack how banks and credit unions can escape outdated thinking—and why the website must be the starting point.

Join us as we discuss:

-The Pre-Internet Mindset in Financial Institutions

-Personal Banking Preferences and Generational Differences

-The Innovator's Dilemma in Financial Services

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

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You’re not alone if you’ve felt stuck, burnt out, or just plain frustrated with all the “talk” around digital transformation in banking. After nearly 500 episodes, James Robert Lay took a much-needed break—not from the mission, but to rediscover it. In this raw and revealing comeback, he opens up about the personal and professional crossroads that led to hitting pause and the powerful insights gained during that time.

Tune in to hear the truth behind the break, the future of the podcast, and how you can finally move from talk to action in the age of AI.

Join us as we discuss:

-A Call for Change

-Launching a New Venture

-Exciting Collaborations Ahead

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

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In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth podcast, host James Robert Lay is joined by Billy Wilkinson, CEO of Threshold, the agency that will make you rethink how you market your everything, to explore the transformative power of marketing in the financial services industry. Together, they discuss the importance of mastering the fundamentals—what Billy calls "blocking and tackling"—to build a strong foundation for digital growth. They highlight the need for community financial institutions to rethink their approach to marketing, shifting from short-term tactics to long-term strategies that influence trust and behavior.

Billy shares practical insights on bridging the gap between sales and marketing to create unified strategies that deliver measurable ROI. They discuss the challenges of navigating rapid technological change, the value of fostering a culture of continuous learning, and how financial brands can differentiate by supporting local entrepreneurs and creating community connections. Whether you're an executive, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode offers actionable advice to help you grow, learn, and level up in the digital age.

Join us as we discuss:

-Evolution of banking technology and digital adoption (5:00)

-The role of marketing as influence and long-term strategies (15:30)

-Community engagements and support for entrepreneurs (27:00)

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

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In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) dominates headlines and disrupts industries, financial brand leaders face a dilemma: is "artificial" truly good for building trust, fostering connection, and driving growth? 

In this episode, James Robert Lay and guest Ethan Wall, president of the Social Media Law Firm, explore the power of authentic intelligence—leveraging empathy, human connection, and wisdom gained through experience to navigate change. They discuss practical ways financial brands can integrate AI responsibly while remaining true to their mission of improving lives. Together, they uncover how to balance technology with humanity, overcome fear, and embrace continuous transformation for sustainable growth.

Join us as we discuss:

-The Evolution of Social Media in Financial Services (11:49)

-The Role of AI and Authentic Intelligence (24:39)

-Practical Advice for Financial Brand Leaders (37:48)

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

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

Small business owners and community financial institutions face significant challenges in navigating the rapidly changing landscape of AI and digital growth. Limited knowledge and outdated beliefs can hinder future growth and collaboration opportunities, particularly in the SBA lending space.

By having a growth mindset, continuous learning, and authentic intelligence. The conversation with Shane Pierson, Purveyor of Honest Capital proposes practical steps, such as regularly reviewing personal and professional growth, fostering emotional intelligence, and leveraging technological advancements in AI. By doing so, financial brands and their teams can better connect with customers, create meaningful content, and build a community that drives future conversions and sustainable growth.

Join us as we discuss:

-Evolution of SBA Lending (03:04)

-Challenges and Changes in Banking (10:32)

-The Role of Emotional Intelligence (16:15)

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

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For many, money feels more like a burden than a blessing. Guilt, shame, fear, and self-sabotage often sabotage our ability to achieve financial freedom, leading to cycles of stress and unfulfilled goals. These struggles aren't just about numbers—they're rooted in deep-seated beliefs formed early in life. Julia Carlson, author of Money Loves You: Transform Your Relationship with Money and Grow Your Wealth. Julia shares how subconscious beliefs and outdated "rules" about money can hold us back, and how financial coaching—centered on mindset transformation—can help us move forward.

In this episode, Julia joins James Robert Lay to explore how to reframe your money story and break through limiting beliefs to achieve lasting financial health. Whether you're a financial leader, advisor, or someone seeking clarity in your own financial journey, this episode offers actionable steps to create a more empowered relationship with money.

Join us as we discuss:

-Money as a Partner: Changing Perspectives (6:26)

-Personal Money Narratives and Transformations (10:45)

-The Role of Coaching in Financial Growth (28:30)

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

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Trust, composed of both words and actions, is now harder to maintain as customers have become more knowledgeable and have a wide array of financial service options beyond traditional banks. The shift from a personal, relationship-focused banking experience to a more automated, regulation-heavy environment has eroded trust between banks and their clients. 

Jack Hubbard, co-founder of the Modern Banker and co-host of the Modern Banker Podcast, believes that  adopting a trust-based selling approach where bankers act as resource managers will allow them to focus on solving customer problems rather than merely selling products. This requires a congruent message from the bank's leadership down to its culture and an emphasis on continuous education and development for bankers. Because the ultimate goal is to create a modern banker who is prepared to face the evolving challenges of the industry with wisdom, adaptability, and a customer-first mindset.

Join us as we discuss:

-The Modern Banker: Redefining Roles and Building Trust (07:18)

-The Evolution of Trust in Banking (26:37)

-The Future of Banking: AI and Trust-Based Selling (34:55)

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

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Ever found yourself saying, “I need to think about it”? For many financial leaders, this simple phrase hides a deeper hesitation that keeps them stuck in inaction. Often, this delay stems from overanalyzing or waiting for certainty, which can stall growth, innovation, and much-needed progress. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, waiting too long to take action can lead to missed opportunities, lost revenue, and stagnation. 

In this episode, host James Robert Lay and operations lead Audrey Cannata dig into how the Kolbe A Index reveals each person’s unique “action mode.” They explore how understanding these natural tendencies can help leaders make faster, more confident decisions. Listeners will learn how the Kolbe Index’s insights into fact-finding, quick-starting, and follow-through help teams overcome decision-making blocks, find balance, and take the necessary steps toward growth.

Join us as we discuss:

-The Four Action Modes of Kolbe (04:13)

-Challenges in Financial Industry Decision-Making (07:12)

-Practical Tips for Moving from Thinking to Doing (21:11)

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

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