Believe in Banking

In this special guest episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina and Juliet welcome Andrew Hovet, Managing Director at Curinos, a data and insights company that helps financial institutions make better business decisions through advanced analytics, market intelligence, and customer data. In their dynamic discussion, Andrew, Gina, and Juliet discuss how banks and credit unions can leverage data to make informed decisions about their branch network, including where to locate, consolidate, or expand to optimize market presence and growth potential. They also address the essential role of the branch for banking experiences. Even as total visits decline, branches are places customers rely on for advice and guidance on their financial needs. For institutions, branches serve as a key driver of brand awareness and high-quality sales opportunities. And finally, they discuss the need for banks to adapt their branch staffing and operations to focus less on transactional services and more on valuable financial consultation and solutions.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina and Juliet discuss opportunities and optimism in the banking industry. Following years of retail closures and predictions about the death of the branch, the reality in 2024 is that not only is the bank branch not dead, but in just the last year, the U.S. added more net new branches for the first time in a decade. Branches are just one of the ways banks are seizing opportunities for growth, but there are many reasons for optimism in banking. Positive economic news, good business prospects and an improved rate environment have buoyed banking this year. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans with a bank account report they’re ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with their primary bank and the rate environment is improving prospects for banks and consumers, alike. On the opportunity front, M&A continues to drive momentum in the banking sector, with expectations high for continued expansion, both in the short- and long-term. From ways that consumers engage with banking brands and in branches, Gina and Juliet have a lively conversation about the rich opportunities for financial institutions, especially for community banks and credit unions who are priming their organizations for growth.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina and Juliet discuss the resilience and enduring relevance of the of the branch. Fresh off the stage from her keynote at Future Branches, Gina discusses insights from the industry’s changemakers like Chase and what she heard from banking leaders across the country about the challenges they face with their own branch networks. They talk about the importance of renovating and right-sizing existing branch networks, as well as how banks bring their brand to life through digital and physical experiences. Juliet spotlights the latest data that shows the significance of physical branches for younger generations, like Gen Z and Millennials, who still value face-to-face interactions with experts and show that by visiting their local branches weekly. Finally, they both discuss the role of strategy in deploying effective marketing and merchandising at the branch and how communications tools like digital signage can make retail communications more meaningful for adapting to customer needs.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this special episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina and Juliet look back through the library of episodes to shine a spotlight the enlightening information and insights from Sean Keathley, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Adrenaline. Going back at the launch of the podcast in 2020, during the height of Covid, all the way through early 2024, they pull out some of the best thinking from a truly rich repository that spans the most change the banking industry has experienced since its inception. In his years hosting the podcast, Sean brought more than a wealth of knowledge about the banking industry, he shared his passion for people – those serving and being served by community banks and credit unions across the country. His unique ability to take even the most complex financial topics and present them in a way that everyone can understand is one hallmarks of the podcast. Finally, they share how Sean is the ultimate believer in banking and it's a legacy that Gina and Juliet are proud to continue.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina and Juliet take on the topic of bank and credit union branding. They discuss their upcoming speaking sessions at the Financial Brand Forum in Las Vegas from May 20-22, and spotlight the new Adrenaline report, the “ROI of Rebranding: Best Practices to Measure Business Value for Financial Brands” available on adrenalinex.com. This report features original research and leading insights that show the power of rebranding in driving and delivering growth for financial brands. Highlighting three case studies of recent rebrands – Bravera Bank, Everwise Credit Union and Tower Federal Credit Union – Gina and Juliet discuss how these organizations made the most of their rebranding efforts, including prioritizing brand differentiation to stand out

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this special guest episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina and Juliet welcome Michael Bell, Partner and Leader of the Financial Institutions Practice at Honigman, LLP, where he has become the nationwide leader and go-to legal adviser for credit unions seeking scale. In their lively conversation on M&A in financial services, Michael discusses the growth outlook for community financial institutions and ways that mergers and acquisitions help further the credit union mission and movement. He shares his belief that credit unions and community banks are ‘kissing cousins’ – both sharing the same passion for serving customers and communities and facing similar regulatory and competitive challenges. Finally, they discuss data-driven decision making and the role of research in guiding growth strategies for community financial institutions, whether it’s for M&A, branding or branching.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode, Adrenaline’s Chief Brand Officer Juliet D’Ambrosio joins Gina Bleedorn as the new cohost of the Believe in Banking podcast, as Sean Keathley, the former CEO of Adrenaline, moves to an advisory capacity to focus on his health. In this discussion, Gina and Juliet explore artificial intelligence in banking and the opportunities it brings to transform banking experiences. They note how the past year has been pivotal as the next wave of generative AI rolls out with powerful tools, like ChatGPT. Their conversation covers current uses of AI for banking, such as chatbots for customer service, and outlines the operational and productivity gains for banks that adopt AI. They address how banking is already an AI frontrunner with the financial industry leading the way for AI adoption, with the potential to automate anywhere between 20% and 40% of banking tasks. Finally, Gina and Juliet discuss how artificial intelligence can free

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In episode two of our two-part Believe in Banking podcast series on growth, Sean and Gina discuss the evolving expectations in banking – from generational demands for advisory experiences to neighborhood variations – all impacting how the branch functions. Their conversation covers how generational life stage differences offer an opportunity for banks to step up and serve, especially as Millennials and Gen Z visit the physical bank branch more frequently and Gen X enters their prime earning years. They address the need for financial institutions to adapt to these changing conditions and reimagine their retail delivery. They also share best practices of financial institutions that have successfully updated and modernized their branches by starting with a strategy and establishing a new North Star experience, resulting in branches with the right bankers, the right design, in the right neighborhoods.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In episode one of a two-part Believe in Banking podcast series on growth, Sean and Gina kick off the new year with a discussion around how financial institutions are increasing their influence to reach more consumers where they are. From the rising momentum around M&A to organic growth and branching, financial institutions are looking to boost their competitive edge by becoming bigger and stronger. In this renewed environment, even new bank formation is on the rise. Their conversation covers the significance of marquis events like Bank Director’s “Acquire or Be Acquired” conference where Adrenaline’s Bethany Lewis will be presenting. Going further, they discuss new data on CEO confidence and its role in driving deals forward in 2024. Finally, they touch on employer brand strategy as a key way to onboard and retain employees and emphasize the importance of rebranding to attract both new customers and talent alike.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In part two of the special guest episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Sean and Gina welcome back Dan Rousseve, Chief Information Officer, and Angie Dvorak, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, of Everwise Credit Union, formerly Teachers Credit Union. They continue the discussion on the credit union’s rebranding journey, including challenges they faced from Covid to change in leadership, both of which had the potential to stall their progress. But they persevered, knowing what a refreshed brand could do for their organization. When it was unveiled, the new brand Everwise was widely embraced by employees and members alike, and represented a way to re-found the credit union with renewed purpose.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm