In this episode of Consumer Lending Perspectives, Sheel Mohnot, Co-Founder and General Partner of Better Tomorrow Ventures, joins the show with host, Jeff Bogan, CFO at Upgrade and fintech veteran. Better Tomorrow Ventures is a venture capital fund dedicated to fintech companies globally. 

Sheel’s insights span the fintech landscape, from the symbiotic relationship between fintech and banking to the transformative potential of AI in areas like compliance and underwriting.  

He discusses how Better Tomorrow Ventures nurtures entrepreneurs’ ideas into thriving businesses through seed investing, emphasizing infrastructure solutions.  

Tune in as Sheel explores new investment frontiers, including accounting and mortgages, and shares his vision for Better Tomorrow Ventures’ role in driving Fintech innovation forward. 

 IN THIS EPISODE: 

• (1:30) Sheel explains how he became involved with Kiva and what prompted him to move into the Fintech space 
• (06:43) Better Tomorrow Ventures, what is seed investing and how entrepreneurs' ideas become businesses 
• (14:40) Interaction between fintech and the banking industry 
• (20:32) Discussion of AI and advice for choosing an AI business partner or vendor 
• (26:12) New areas of investment that Sheel finds interesting, his outlook for Better Tomorrow Ventures, and his thoughts on the consumer 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

• Sheel Mohnot’s early work at Kiva, a consumer lending platform enabling microloans to alleviate poverty, shaped his fintech career. Kiva’s model of crowdfunding small loans (as little as $25) to individuals in developing countries highlighted the power of technology to improve financial access, influencing his focus on fintech solutions. 
• Mohnot’s venture capital fund, Better Tomorrow Ventures, focuses on seed-stage Fintech investments, leveraging his and his partner’s operational experience.  
• BTV  prioritizes founder-driven investments, valuing speed, tenacity, and articulation in entrepreneurs, and targets fintech infrastructure solutions (e.g., Unit, Layer) over other areas. 
• Mohnot sees significant opportunities in specialized AI applications for Fintech, such as compliance, underwriting, and accounting automation (e.g., Basis, Kaaj, Monk). These solutions address specific industry needs, reduce risk, and enhance efficiency, unlike generic AI models, making them attractive investment targets. 

RESOURCE LINKS   

Better Tomorrow Ventures - Website 

Sheel Mohnot - LinkedIn 

Upgrade - Website 

Jeff Bogan - LinkedIn 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   

Sheel Mohnot is Co-Founder and General Partner of Better Tomorrow Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in Fintech companies globally. He’s also the General Partner of the 500 Fintech fund. His own startup experience includes two successful Fintech exits: a payments company. Previously, he worked as a financial services consultant at BCG, and he began his Fintech career at Kiva, a non-profit, peer-to-peer lender. 

What does it take to innovate in banking today? How do institutions balance cutting-edge technology with customer trust and regulatory responsibility? 

In this episode of Consumer Lending Perspective, guest Marc Butterfield, SVP of Market Expansion and New Product Development at First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), joins Jeff Bogan, host, to explore digital transformation, consumer lending, and the role of AI in reshaping operations and credit modeling.  

“It comes back to understanding the what and the why. When you recognize it, if you're clear on the what and the why, as well as the outcomes you wish to achieve, the further you stray from that, and you realize, I'm just trying to get this done; that's not the reason we should be doing it. That's when it becomes crucial to be honest with yourself and your team. The lies you can tell yourself are monumental.” - Marc Butterfield 

Marc shares how ​becoming a “forcing agent” and ​listening to stakeholders​, especially the qualitative component of feedback,​ drives innovation and more intelligent decisions.  

From machine learning in credit modeling to piloting generative AI for employee support, his conversation with Jeff touches on real-world technology use in a regulated space. 

Together, they also cover trends such as, tokenized payments and digital wallets, with insights on data infrastructure​, partner data, data engineering,​ and ​venn diagrams​. Listen to learn more! Follow the podcast for episode notifications.  

 IN THIS EPISODE: 

• (00:00) Opening and introduction 
• (01:16) Marc Butterfield explains how he earned the American Bankers Innovators of the Year Award 
• (03:22) Marc talks about digital innovation, expanding consumer lending, and partnerships 
• (09:24) Discussion of the philosophy of banking transformation and technology, and advice on how to get the stakeholders' buy-in 
• (17:45) AI machine learning is helping employee efficiency and internal discussion on initiatives regarding credit cards 
• (27:00) The future of banking and Marc’s view on the tariffs and stock markets 

 KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Listening to all stakeholders, such as customers, partners, and employees, drives better product development in digital innovation and banking transformation. Clear goals help guide teams, but flexibility in execution allows for innovation and growth. 
• AI and machine learning are transforming banking operations and credit modeling, mainly within consumer lending. Tools like internal chat systems boost employee efficiency while maintaining a focus on data security and compliance. 
• Before rolling out AI to customers, banks must build internal expertise and guardrails.  
• As digital tools like stablecoins and tokenized payments evolve over time, strong data infrastructure becomes key to sustaining innovation in a rapidly changing financial landscape. 

 RESOURCE LINKS  

Jeff Bogan - LinkedIn 

Marc Butterfield - LinkedIn 

FNBO - Website 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   

As the SVP of Market Expansion and New Product Development at FNBO, Marc Butterfield leads innovation, oversees the Market Expansion Team, and spearheads new product initiatives within FNBO’s Partnership division. Marc holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, specializing in marketing, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His journey started at Nexterna, a wireless technology startup owned by Union Pacific Railroad. With a career at FNBO that began in 2001, Marc has held pivotal leadership roles in Digital Banking, Marketing, Consumer Lending, Credit Risk, and Product Development. His recent projects include the launch of the consumer digital banking app Milli, the innovative transaction enrichment service Ordem, the versatile card-as-a-service platform Bend, and the cutting-edge digital calving book with a visual-based learning algorithm, Cattle ID. Marc has earned the prestigious American Banker’s Innovators of the Year award (2023). He is an active member of the ABA’s Innovation Committee and Investment Committee. Marc is also the recipient of the Key to the City of Omaha! 

Vadim Verkhoglyad, Head of Research at dv01, joins the podcast this month with his rich background in data and performance analysis. In this episode, Jeff Bogan, host, and Vadim discuss several key topics, including data transparency in consumer credit, consumer behavior psychology and mindset, the effects of inflation and debt on home prices and home insurance, and the implications of zero interest rates on future consumer credit.  

Looking ahead, Vadim identified opportunities to enhance consumer lending, such as better data utilization and lower APRs. He acknowledged challenges like outdated systems, financial literacy gaps, and the need for greater market maturity to fully realize the potential of more transparent and scalable unsecured lending. 

“2024 has been exceptional for performance. So some of that is certainly a correction from how bad 22 and 23 were, but a lot of that is still kind of—healthy just credit performance.” – Vadim Verkhoglyad   

“I've been focused on getting people to understand that the market is in full recovery mode. I think some people still think that performance is trending down, which it certainly isn't.” – Vadim Verkhoglyad 

 IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:22] Data transparency in consumer credit  
• [4:49] Vadim describes his role at dv01 and the psychology and mindset of consumer behavior 
• [10:55] Discussion about inflation and debt and home prices and home insurance 
• [15:00] Zero interest rates (ZIRP), and drivers of future consumer credit  
• [20:33] Discussion of unsecured credit and financial literacy and weak lending practices 
• [27:26] The value dv01 brings in terms of transparency to the lender and how markets evolve 
• [32:16] Vadim offers suggestions to investors 

 KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• The increasing use of data and technology, such as cloud computing and big data analytics, fundamentally changes how credit is assessed and underwritten. This shift towards data-driven decision-making has improved credit risk assessment, opened new lending opportunities (like short-duration, high-yield characteristics), and increased investor confidence.    
• The housing market faces significant challenges, including rising costs, regional disparities, and the impact of events like the housing insurance crisis. These factors impact lending performance, strain homeowners financially, and reshape the credit landscape.    
• Challenges remain while opportunities exist to improve consumer lending, such as disrupting the credit card market through better data utilization and lower APRs. These include outdated systems, financial literacy gaps, and greater market maturity to fully realize the potential of more transparent and scalable unsecured lending.  

RESOURCE LINKS  

dv01 - Website 

Vadim Verkhoglyad - LinkedIn 

Jeff Bogan - LinkedIn 

ABOUT THE GUEST:   

Vadim Verkhoglyad leads dv01’s research and publication efforts, authoring analysis on consumer credit and distilling complex financial data into actionable insights. With experience across structured credit, finance, and technology, Vadim has an extensive background in data and performance analysis, structured credit investing and research, and capital markets. He started his career as an analyst at Fitch Ratings and then transitioned to hedge fund Tricadia Capital, where he rose from systems analyst to senior vice president over his 12-year tenure. 

Data, Transparency, Consumer Credit, Jeff Bogan, Upgrade, Predictive Analytics, Consumer Behavior, Technology, Innovation, Regulation, Financial Literacy, Credit Scores, Debt Management, dv01, Vadim Verkhoglyad 

Host, Jeff Bogan, CFO at Upgrade, speaks with Jeremy Sankwich, Vice President of Consumer Lending at CapEd Credit Union in Meridian, Idaho. Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation about the evolving landscape of credit unions. Together, they explore how CapEd redefines the member experience by focusing on innovation and relationship-building.

They delve into essential topics, including auto lending, Loss-given default, the use of AI in credit research, and the significance of succession planning for boards. Additionally, they highlight innovative lending strategies, the importance of fostering strong member relationships while improving the online experience, and CapEd's steadfast dedication to delivering community-centered financial solutions.

"We have to be careful that we don't proactively reprice our entire balance sheet on the asset side. We also want to retain these members."  -  Jeremy Sankwich

“Let's stop that cycle and coach them into qualification one-on-one.” - Jeremy Sankwich

“We have two kinds of criteria that we look for in lending, loss given default and probability given default.“ - Jeremy Sankwich

 IN THIS EPISODE:

●      [0:30] Jeremy shares his background and his views on consumer lending

●      [8:32] With rate cuts, members will be interested in refinancing and the cooperation between Fintech and credit unions

●      [12:41] How the credit union supports their members and community

●      [15:54] Will the political administration change be good for the credit union field

●      [20:51] Discussion of artificial intelligence and loss-given default

●      [27:51] Discussion of auto lending

●      [31:18]  Concerns regarding CEOs and C-Suite retirements

●      [33:30] Chartered numbers of credit unions are falling, and the importance of succession planning

 KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

●      With rate cuts, credit unions become go-to institutions for refinancing as members seek better terms. This "great refi swap" trend underscores the importance of credit unions offering competitive refinancing options.

●      Fintech collaboration is key, and credit unions align through the ACU and GoWest trade associations to find suitable partners. These partnerships enable credit unions to integrate innovative technology while maintaining member-centric values.

●     Boards must prioritize succession planning to ensure continuity and avoid the risk of mergers.

●      Customers now expect online experiences similar to Amazon or Google, setting a high standard for user interfaces. Credit unions must invest in their digital platforms by 2025 to stay competitive in an evolving landscape. 

RESOURCE LINKS

CapEd Credit Union - Website

Jeremy Sankwich - LinkedIn

America’s Credit Unions - Website

GoWest Association - Website

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Jeremy Sankwich, VP of Consumer Lending at CapEd Credit Union, has extensive expertise in portfolio management, auto lending, residential real estate lending, home improvement lending and financial counseling. Over the years, he has led lending teams while working with Verity Credit Union and TAPCO Credit Union in Washington State before relocating to Idaho. Jeremy is passionate about innovation and strategy, and his work often involves partnering with industry leaders and FinTech companies, including partnerships with organizations like Upgrade, to enhance credit union offerings. His unique approach to lending emphasizes financial counseling, focusing on supporting both prime and non-prime borrowers. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Master’s Degree in Management and Strategic Leadership.

Credit Unions. Members, Lending Trends, lending industry, financial industry trends, Fintech, Consumer Credit, Innovation, Underwriting, Financial Institutions, Consumer Lending, Auto Lending, Member Experience, Financial Solutions, market insights, credit risk modeling, Jeff Bogan, Upgrade

Host Jeff Bogan, CFO at Upgrade, talks with Dr. Joseph Breeden, a seasoned expert in credit risk management. They explore the post-pandemic lending landscape, discussing factors such as score inflation, macroeconomic adverse selection, and data imperfections affecting the lending industry.  

“Consumers are not financially rational machines. And so it's very clear they key off changes in interest rates.” -  Dr. Joseph Breeden 

Dr. Breeden shares how credit risk models, economic conditions, and consumer psychology interplay to influence loan performance and lending strategies in today's economy.  

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [00:45] Introduction to Dr. Joseph Breeden and his experience in risk management
• [01:07] Discussion on post-pandemic challenges and score inflation in consumer lending
• [03:27] Explanation of macroeconomic adverse selection and its impact on lending
• [06:35] Historical perspective on credit score dynamics across economic cycles
• [8:06]  The importance of intuition and borrower psychology in lending
• [10:15]  Tips on assessing loan demand and adjusting based on quality trends
• [14:10]  Dr. Breeden discusses issues with the current unemployment rate data
• [17:35]  Suggestions on what asset managers should monitor in the current economic environment 
• [20:00] Discussion of Dr. Breeden's forthcoming book on credit risk modeling. 
• [22:19] The Role of Data, Machine Learning, and Alternative Indicators 
• [27:01] Dr. Breeden expresses optimism about the next 12 months for consumer assets 

 KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Changes in consumer behavior during economic downturns, also known as macroeconomic adverse selection, can lead to lower- quality loan applicants despite high credit scores. 
• While credit models are essential, lender intuition and borrower psychology play critical roles in predicting loan performance. 
• As adverse selection begins to moderate, the next 12 months may present better opportunities for quality loan origination. 

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Dr. Breeden has been designing and deploying risk management systems for loan portfolios since 1996. His expertise includes scoring, forecasting, stress testing, and economic capital models. Since 2011, Dr. Breeden has been CEO of Prescient Models, where he leads a consulting and product development team in this space, focusing on loan-level models for forecasting, stress testing, and pricing. 

Previously, Dr. Breeden co-founded Strategic Analytics in 1999, where he led the design of advanced analytic solutions including the invention of Dual-time Dynamics. He has created models through the 1995 Mexican Peso Crisis, the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, the 2001 Global Recession, the 2003 Hong Kong SARS Recession, and the 2007-2009 US Mortgage Crisis and Global Financial Crisis. These crises have provided him with a rare perspective on crisis management and the analytics needs of executives for strategic decision-making. 

Dr. Breeden has published over 40 academic articles, a dozen trade publications, and six patents. His book “Reinventing Retail Lending Analytics: Forecasting, Stress Testing, Capital, and Scoring for a World of Crises” was published by Riskbooks in 2010 and is currently in its second edition. 

Dr. Breeden received separate BS degrees in mathematics and physics in 1987 from Indiana University. He earned a Ph.D. in physics in 1991 from the University of Illinois studying real-world applications of chaos theory and genetic algorithms. 

RESOURCE LINKS  

Website: https://deepfutureanalytics.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlbreeden/ 

SLOOS Survey: https://www.federalreserve.gov/data/sloos.htm 

Jeff Bogan welcomes John Toohig, Managing Director at Raymond James and Head of Whole Loan Trading Group. John shares his extensive knowledge on the impact of recent rate increases on banks and credit unions, particularly in the consumer loan space. They examine the performance and strategies of these financial institutions in 2022 and 2023, discussing liquidity trends, M&A activity, and the evolving role of fintech partnerships. 

Additionally, they explore predictions for 2025, including tightening margins, student loan impacts, and the potential for a robust M&A environment. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in the financial services industry, providing valuable market insights and strategic advice.

"FinTechs have a better tech mechanism to generate loan growth...the natural evolution will continue, and institutions that ignore it are doing so at their detriment, while those that embrace it stand to benefit.” - John Toohig

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:00] Introduction to John Toohig and his expertise in loan trading
• [01:18] Impact of Rate Increases on Banks and Credit Unions
• [02:53] Market Reactions and Adjustments in 2023
• [05:51] Current Market Conditions and Predictions
• [10:57] Strategies for Banks and Credit Unions
• [16:00] Role of Fintech partnerships in modern banking
• [20:00] Smart strategies for building liquidity within banks
• [26:07] Fintech Partnerships and Future Outlook
• [32:00] Predictions for the depository space in 2025
• [34:09] Final words of wisdom from John Toohig on loan trading and partnerships

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• John emphasizes that banks and credit unions should adapt to a high-interest environment by reevaluating loan strategies and adjusting pricing to stay competitive.
• Institutions should aim for “smart liquidity” by creating deposit programs linked to loan offerings, enabling lower-cost funding.
• For long-term success, depositories should collaborate with FinTechs to enhance tech-driven loan growth while retaining traditional customer relationships.
• John anticipates tighter margins but a positive outlook with stabilized rates, increased loan originations, and a boost in M&A activity in the depository sector.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

John Toohig

Head of Whole Loan Trading on the Raymond James Whole Loan Desk and President of Raymond James Mortgage Company. Primary responsibilities include day-to-day trading of whole loan packages, portfolio analysis, transaction management and the structuring of whole loan sales and participations.

Beyond his daily trading responsibilities, John is a regular speaker and content creator for various lending-related conferences and publications. He has presented at most of the major lending conferences including MBA National Secondary, SFIG Vegas / ABS West, CUNA Lending and more, and his commentary has also been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the American Banker, HousingWire and DebtWire. John has created an active following on LinkedIn with regular posts and articles surrounding community lending, providing both lenders and investors with timely commentary on current trends and happenings in the primary and secondary loan markets. In addition, he showcases new lending products, technology, and credit tools as the market constantly evolves.

John received his undergraduate degree from the Houghton College and his MBA from the University of Mississippi with a focus in finance and IT. John has his Series 7, 24 and Series 63 licenses.

RESOURCE LINKS 

John Toohig LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-toohig-29947b40/

Upgrade Website: https://www.upgrade.com/

#ConsumerLendingPerspectives #JohnToohig #ConsumerLending #FinTech #Banking #CreditUnions #InterestRates #LoanTrading #FinancialInstitutions #Liquidity #MarketInsights #FinTechPartnerships #BankingTrends #EconomicForecast

In this introductory episode of Consumer Lending Perspectives, host Jeff Bogan, CFO of Upgrade, shares his background in finance and the motivation behind launching the podcast. Jeff discusses his journey from advising financial institutions to leading fintech initiatives, with the goal of modernizing consumer finance. 

"The finance industry is changing rapidly, and we wanted a platform where our audience could find in depth, up to date information to make strategic decisions for their businesses." - Jeff Bogan 

This podcast promises insights from top industry leaders on current trends in consumer lending, liquidity, modern finance, risk management, underwriting, customer service, and more.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:28] Introduction to the Consumer Lending Perspectives podcast and its goals
• [00:45] Jeff’s career in financial advising and insights on industry challenges
• [01:13] The transition to fintech to enhance customer service and compliance
• [02:17] Discussion on major consumer lending trends expected for next year
• [02:46] Overview of future podcast topics like risk management and fraud prevention

 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Consumer Lending Perspectives podcast was created to deliver in-depth insights into evolving consumer finance trends.
• Host Jeff Bogan emphasizes the need for improved customer experience and efficient, compliant financial services.
• Upcoming episodes will feature discussions with financial experts on critical topics such as underwriting, liquidity, and customer acquisition.

About the Host: 

Jeff Bogan- As Upgrade’s CFO, Jeff is focused on building the finance, HR, and real estate functions to support the company’s growth. Prior to co-founding Upgrade, Jeff built and ran the Investor Group at Lending Club, sourcing more than $15 billion in capital from retail, institutional, and financial institutions. The role also entailed managing platform funding balance matching investors with borrowers to fund loan products.

Before moving to the Bay Area, Jeff was an investment banker for 8 years at Morgan Stanley, Greenhill, and SunTrust, providing M&A advice and raising capital primarily for financial institutions.

Jeff holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA from The University of Georgia. He enjoys skiing with his family and watching college football.

RESOURCE LINKS 

Website: https://www.upgrade.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbogan5/

#ConsumerLendingPerspectives #ConsumerLending #JeffBogan #Fintech #FinancialInnovation #riskmanagement #digitalbanking #banks #lending #creditunions #credit union difference #loangrowth #liquiditymanagement #customeracquisition #strategicplanning #balancesheetoptimization #balancesheet #Liquidity #FinancialInstitutions

Are you ready to unlock the timely insights on consumer lending from industry leaders? Step into the world of cutting-edge financial innovation and balance sheet strategies with Consumer Lending Perspectives, the must-listen podcast for forward-thinking finance executives. In an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting consumer behaviors, staying ahead of the curve is essential.

Join host Jeff Bogan, CFO at Upgrade and a fintech veteran, as he brings you monthly episodes with C-Suite executives at the forefront of financial innovation. With over a decade of experience in investment banking and fintech, Jeff shares transformative insights into the most pressing issues facing financial leaders today.

We discuss underwriting techniques, loan portfolio management, consumer behavior and macroeconomic adverse selection, advancements in AI and machine learning for credit decisioning, and how big data is transforming real-time strategy adjustments. Explore advanced risk management tactics, from fraud detection algorithms to portfolio diversification, and discover how leading institutions are reshaping financial inclusion.

You'll also learn the latest digital marketing and personalization strategies that help financial institutions compete, as well as state-of-the-art digital fraud prevention technologies. Gain insights into managing liquidity in uncertain times and diversifying funding sources for optimized balance sheet management.

Whether you're a seasoned financial leader or an ambitious professional, this podcast equips you with the knowledge to thrive in the evolving consumer finance landscape. Featuring top decision-makers from banks, credit unions, fintechs, capital markets, and regulators, each episode offers practical advice, lessons learned, and strategies for growth.

Subscribe now to join a special community of financial visionaries and transform your approach to strategic planning, risk mitigation, loan portfolio growth, and income diversification. Discover innovative approaches to managing assets, anticipating market shifts, and expanding revenue streams.

About the Host:

As Upgrade’s CFO, Jeff is focused on building the finance, HR, and real estate functions to support the company’s growth.

Prior to co-founding Upgrade, Jeff built and led the Investor Group at Lending Club, sourcing more than $15 billion in capital from retail, institutional, and financial institutions. His role also involved managing platform funding, balancing investors with borrowers to fund loan products.

Before moving to the Bay Area, Jeff spent 8 years as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, Greenhill, and SunTrust, where he provided M&A advice and raised capital, primarily for financial institutions.

Jeff holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA from The University of Georgia. In his free time, he enjoys skiing with his family and watching college football.

RESOURCE LINKS

Website: https://www.upgrade.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbogan5/