BIGcast

Glen speaks with Karen Houghton, Co-Founder/CEO of Infinite Giving, about how to narrow the financial services gap facing nonprofit entities. Also- the latest on the Credit Card Competition Act and proposed 10% rate cap, and a new forum for tackling the real-time issues facing credit unions. Links related to this episode:

• Infinite Giving: https://www.infinitegiving.com/
• Karen's book "Funding Your Mission": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/funding-your-mission-karen-houghton/1148818789 (Chapter 1 is available for free download at Infinite Giving's website)
• Financial Health Network CEO Jennifer Tescher's analysis of the proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7416861629826482176/
• NerdWallet's take on the Credit Card Competition Act: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/what-to-expect-if-the-credit-card-competition-act-passes
• Last week's episode, featuring more detail on both CU Unplugged and the proposed 10% credit card rate cap: https://www.big-fintech.com/unplugged-unscripted-unfiltered/

Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants deem most critical. Open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

John and Glen connect with Defense Credit Union Council CEO Tony Hernandez to discuss CU Unplugged, the interactive credit union "un-conference" debuting in late March in San Francisco. Also, Glen surveys the chaos and mixed messaging stemming from the proposed 10% cap on credit card interest. Links related to this episode:

• CU Unplugged, March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: https://www.cu-unplugged.com/
• The Defense Credit Union Council: https://www.dcuc.org/
• Last week's 2026 Predictions episode: https://www.big-fintech.com/2026-do-markets-still-hate-uncertainty/
• Financial Health Network CEO Jennifer Tescher's analysis of the proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7416861629826482176/
• Marketplace's coverage of the cap's likely impact, including an interview with Bankrate: https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/01/12/trumps-credit-cap-would-dramatically-cut-lending
• Another "explainer," this one with an MIT finance professor: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2026/01/21/trump-cap-credit-card-interest-debt
• Bilt's announcement of a credit card complying with the proposed cap: https://apnews.com/article/bilt-credit-card-interest-rate-cap-trump-1ffb0ffca260445858443beb3ac08eb2

Join us for our first CU Town Hall of 2026- Wednesday January 21 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This session will tackle 2026 predictions in interactive form, covering additional ground including breaking news .The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

The BIGCast Gang ventures into the highly turbulent waters of 2026 fintech and credit union predictions- assessing the bright and dark sides of AI, vibe coding, the outlook for mergers, interest rates and of course, Bitcoin. Glen throws in a Rob Reiner/Stephen King reference for good measure. Links related to this episode:

• John Janclaes/The CEO Corner: https://theceocorner.com/
• Anne Legg/Thrive Strategic Services: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/
• Lou Grilli via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lougrilli/
• Money 20/20's "Who the F Knows?" predictions: https://www.money2020.com/content/predictions
• Plaid's 2026 Predictions: https://plaid.com/events/fintech-predictions-2026-watch-now/
• December's episode grading our 2025 predictions and marking off the BIGGo cards: https://www.big-fintech.com/calling-bingo-in-a-crazy-year/

Join us for our first CU Town Hall of 2026- Wednesday January 21 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This session will tackle 2026 predictions in interactive form, covering additional ground including breaking news since this podcast was recorded. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

The BIGCast Gang convenes for its annual roundup of the biggest stories impacting credit unions and fintechs (zero points awarded for guessing #1 on the list). Some Q1 headlines seem like ancient history, while others are gifts that just keep on giving. Bitcoin delivered its usual wild ride- but in 2025 it had plenty of company. Links related to this episode:

• John Janclaes/ The CEO Corner: https://theceocorner.com/
• Anne Legg/ Thrive Strategic Services: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/
• Lou Grilli via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lougrilli/
• The AI Index John referenced: https://evidentinsights.com/ai-index/

The BIGCast is taking a two-week holiday break; check in for new content on Tuesday January 13. Until then, check out our archives at https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/?c=bigcast for hundreds of past episodes. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

We have a winner! John and Glen sort through the squares of our 2025 Bingo (or BIG-Go) cards to assess the "gimme" events, items that occurred but differently than expected, and a few things that didn't wind up happening… yet. Links related to this episode:

• Our February blog explaining the BIG-Go game: https://www.big-fintech.com/did-you-have-that-one-on-your-bingo-card/
• PayPal/Venmo's merchant relationship with Taco Bell: https://newsroom.paypal-corp.com/2025-06-25-Taco-Bell-Introduces-PayPal-and-Venmo-as-New-in-App-Payment-Options-with-Exclusive-20-Cash-back-Summer-Offer
• FedNow transaction volumes- which have already tripled over 2024: https://www.frbservices.org/resources/financial-services/fednow/quarterly-volume-value-stats
• The merger of not-quite $10 Billion credit unions: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/04/23/largest-credit-unions-minnesota-colorado-wings-ent-merger-plan

Join us for our final CU Town Hall of 2025- Wednesday December 17 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. In this session we'll recap 2025's major events and tally up our Bingo Card predictions. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen puts a bow on the 2025 conference calendar, wrapping up interviews with SAP Fioneer Global Head of Payments Carlos Figueredo and banking lifer/Association for Cannabis Banking co-founder Michael Beird. Also- constructive yet cautious takes on AI from a multitude of perspectives. Links related to this episode: Fintech Talents: https://www.fintechtalents.com/events/ftt-financial-services-futures/ SAP Fioneer: https://www.sapfioneer.com/ Carlos Figueredo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-figueredo-ba7a745/ Michael Beird's LinkedIn profile and Cannabis Banking playbook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beird/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394276265 The Association for Cannabis Banking: https://the-acb.org/ Join us for our final CU Town Hall of 2025- Wednesday December 17 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. In this session we'll recap 2025's major events and tally up our Bingo Card predictions. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Continuing our holiday tradition, John and Glen welcome regular contributors Anne Legg and Lou Grilli to share thoughts on the happenings that made them grateful (Fintech and credit union-wise) over the past year. Includes takes on the GENIUS Act, shutdown relief, and the Napster Age of AI. Links related to this episode: Thrive Strategic Services- Where Anne Legg Creates More Awesome: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/ Lou Grilli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lougrilli/ Chip Filson's "Just a Member" blog: https://chipfilson.com/ Arnall Golden Gregory's take on the proposed Visa/Mastercard settlement: https://www.agg.com/news-insights/publications/settled-for-certain-the-latest-proposed-settlement-in-the-visa-and-mastercard-mdl-litigation-and-its-likely-effect-on-surcharging/ LAST CALL for our BIG-Go Card: https://bingobaker.com/#67a12342928998c6 Join us for our final CU Town Hall of 2025- Wednesday December 17 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Part 2 of our VentureTech coverage features Glen's interviews with founders of all three finalists from the main stage event: Matt Dicou of Reset, Cary Fortin of Goodbuy and Jordan Mackler of ScribeUp. Also- Chase pushes forward with its "pay for data" model.

Links related to this episode:

Reset: https://www.getreset.co/

Goodbuy: https://www.trygoodbuy.com/

ScribeUp: https://www.scribeup.io

Last week's episode featuring Aries Fraud Solutions, KeySavvy and Remynt: https://www.big-fintech.com/launching-from-obscurity-venturing-into-the-mainstream/

VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/

CNBC's take on JPMorgan Chase's traction in charging for open banking data: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/jpmorgan-chase-fintech-fees.html

William Mills' annual Financial Trade Show/Conference Directory: https://info.williammills.com/financial-trade-show-conference-directory-2026

Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

In our first wave of VentureTech coverage Glen speaks with a trio of co-founders, from Launch Party winners Aries Fraud Solutions (unveiling its Obscurity Card) and main stage standouts KeySavvy and Remynt. Also- skepticism meets déjà vu on the proposed Visa/Mastercard settlement. Links related to this episode: Aries Fraud Solutions: https://www.ariesfraudsolutions.com/ KeySavvy: https://www.keysavvy.com/ Remynt: https://getremynt.com/ VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/ Reuters' take on the proposed Visa/Mastercard merchant settlement: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/visa-mastercard-reach-revised-swipe-fee-settlement-with-merchants-2025-11-10/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen boils down the prevailing themes from this year's Money 20/20 conference, upping the ante via interviews with a pair of compelling startups (Eloquent AI and RentFlow) and Paze's update on securing identity through the digital wallet. Also- Fiserv shakes investors to the core, and open banking continues to ruffle feathers. Links related to this episode: Eloquent AI: https://www.eloquentai.co/ RentFlow: https://www.therentflow.com/ Paze: https://www.paze.com/ A credit union-specific take on Fiserv's stock meltdown: https://chipfilson.com/2025/10/a-surprise-for-1254-credit-unions-heads-up-for-everyone-else/ Western Union's stablecoin play: https://ir.westernunion.com/news/archived-press-releases/press-release-details/2025/Western-Union-Announces-USDPT-Stablecoin-on-Solana-and-Digital-Asset-Network/default.aspx PayPal and Google Cloud's agentic AI gambit: https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/financial-services/introducing-an-agentic-commerce-solution-for-merchants-from-paypal-and-google-cloud Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday November 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/