In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Katie DeFeo, VP and Chief Experience Officer at SunWest Credit Union. They explored how credit unions could stand out in a crowded digital landscape by leading with authenticity and human connection, even as banking became more commoditized and tech-driven.

DeFeo explained why building a genuine, approachable brand mattered more than ever. She shared how SunWest focused on delivering experiences that felt personal—whether in a branch or through a mobile app. For DeFeo, it was not enough to match rates or adopt the latest technology. Instead, she encouraged credit unions to communicate in plain language, share real stories, and empower staff to help members in memorable ways.

The conversation highlighted the challenge of scaling digital transformation without losing soul. DeFeo described SunWest’s approach to blending technology with bold, human storytelling, and why being willing to disrupt old habits was key to staying relevant.

In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Michael Claire, founder and CEO of LoanCirrus Limited. Their conversation focused on how digital lending platforms can reach underserved communities—particularly in regions often overlooked by large banks.

Claire shared insights from his work across the Caribbean, where outdated lending models and legacy technology have slowed progress. He explained how LoanCirrus is helping financial institutions reimagine how they serve people, starting with access and trust.

DeTar and Claire also discussed the risks of overcomplicating digital transformation. Claire advocated for simple, intuitive tech that lets credit unions and small lenders adapt quickly. Throughout the episode, Claire emphasized that building tools for people—not just institutions—is what moves the needle.

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sits down with Amir Sarhangi, CEO and founder at Skyfire Systems Inc. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of payments, digital commerce, and the day-to-day experience of both consumers and financial institutions.

Amir explains how AI agents are set to handle more tasks on our behalf, from booking travel and securing event tickets to making complex payment decisions. He dives into the technical hurdles, such as identity verification and secure transaction processing, and discusses why tokenized payments and open API models will be essential as agent-driven commerce evolves. Throughout, Amir stresses the speed of change in the AI space and the need for banks to adapt quickly to stay relevant and maintain strong customer relationships.

The conversation moves beyond technology, touching on the deeper impacts of AI on trust, consumer choice, and the role of financial institutions in a world where software agents may make many decisions for us. Amir offers practical examples and urges banks to act now, harnessing their trusted position to deliver new, user-friendly experiences that keep customers engaged.

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Imane Bakkar, Managing Director at Logarisk. With years of experience in financial risk management, Imane unpacked how today's risk landscape had shifted—and why traditional models were no longer enough on their own.

Josh and Imane discussed how regulated institutions could navigate risk in an era defined by AI, speed, and interconnectivity. She pointed to real-world failures, a chatbot gone off the rails and algorithmic trading systems that misfired were discussed, to highlight the importance of designing controls that matched the use case. She also explained the role of "risk appetite" versus "risk tolerance," and why understanding that difference mattered.

The episode closed with a reflection on preparation versus prediction. Imane urged risk leaders to stop chasing the perfect model and instead focus on knowing their dependencies, designing for speed, and asking smarter questions—before the next crisis hit.

In the last episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Alenka Grealish, principal analyst at Celent. Their conversation explored how generative AI is changing how community financial institutions operate, from behind-the-scenes efficiency to frontline support.

Grealish explained that AI's biggest impact today is improving agent productivity, boosting customer satisfaction, and reducing call center turnover. She compared AI to bees: mostly invisible yet critical to the entire system.

The discussion also covered AI's role in bridging knowledge gaps, enabling personalization through natural language, and supporting small business banking. Grealish emphasized the need for trust, clear guardrails, and human oversight to unlock AI's benefits without compromising safety. The episode closed with a look at how financial institutions can start small, experiment safely, and prepare for a future where AI is deeply embedded in digital banking.

On this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Thomas Müller, CEO and co-founder of Rivero, to discuss the connection between cybersecurity and payments. Müller’s background as a CISO provided a unique perspective, highlighting the human element in security breaches. He used real-world examples like account takeovers and policy bypasses to show how both technology and human actions affect security.

DeTar and Müller discussed the challenge of building strong security programs that are both safe and user-friendly. Müller offered advice on making security policies and training more effective. They also explored how industry rules often fail to keep up with new online threats.

Müller then explained his move from cybersecurity to the payments industry, and his reasons for founding Rivero. He spoke about the issues banks face in adapting to rapid changes in financial technology. The discussion concluded with Müller's thoughts on the constant struggle between those committing fraud and security experts.

In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar spoke with Jenn Addabbo, the CEO and co-founder of Engage fi. They discussed her journey as an entrepreneur, how to build a strong company culture, and how legacy financial institutions can innovate.

Addabbo explained that culture is not something you can just create; it is the result of your vision and actions. Jenn emphasized the importance of hiring people who fill your blind spots, like "puzzle pieces that come together for the full picture." She stressed that as technology like AI becomes more common, the human side of business will become an even more critical differentiator.

They also explored how financial institutions can approach new projects. Jenn believes organizations must define what success looks like from the beginning. This provides a clear filter for making decisions and helps leaders avoid distractions, ensuring the final outcome meets the institution's real needs, not just the latest trends.

In this episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar talked with Shane Saunders, CEO of Mocse Credit Union, about building authentic brand value in community financial services. Shane shared how his credit union discovered its identity as "audaciously authentic" through a rebranding process that honored both their humble beginnings and deep community roots.

The conversation explored why competing on price creates a race to the bottom that community financial institutions can't win against larger banks. Instead, Shane emphasized the importance of delivering value through local connection, authenticity, and member experience — qualities that resonate across generations from longtime members to new young account holders.

For community financial institution leaders looking to differentiate in an increasingly competitive market, this discussion offers practical insights on leveraging your authentic story and community connections as powerful marketing assets. Tune in to discover how your institution can move beyond rate competition to create meaningful brand resonance.

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sits down with Law Helie, General Manager of Consumer Banking at nCino, to explore what it takes to modernize digital banking. From his early days in the Marines to leading consumer strategy at one of the industry's top tech firms, Law brings a rare blend of discipline, empathy, and systems thinking.

The conversation deepens into the real-world friction between fraud prevention and user experience. Law breaks down how legacy policies, generational gaps in tech literacy, and evolving scam tactics all pressure financial institutions to move faster and stay vigilant.

They also unpack how AI reshapes everything from underwriting to internal policy decisions. Whether updating your loan origination flow or rethinking your customer education strategy, this episode is packed with insights to help you balance innovation, compliance, and trust.

This episode of the Digital Banking Podcast explored the crucial role of cybersecurity in banking, focusing on vendor risk management. Josh DeTar spoke with Lara Sevener, Tom Walker, and Rob Carothers, partners at Jones Walker LLP, about the unique challenges faced by community and mid-sized banks.

The discussion highlighted the increasing reliance on third-party vendors for essential banking services and technology. Sevener, Walker, and Carothers emphasized the importance of due diligence and strong contract negotiation to mitigate risk. They discussed the need for banks to balance the benefits of technological advancements with the potential exposures they create. The group also stressed the importance of clear communication and partnership between banks and vendors.

Walker and Carothers shared insights from a recent cybersecurity survey conducted by Jones Walker LLP. The survey revealed critical gaps in third-party risk management practices within the banking industry. The conversation concluded with advice for community banks on navigating the changing landscape of technology and regulation, highlighting the importance of adapting and evolving to stay competitive.