We’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Hit Record Podcast with a special roundtable discussion featuring Meredith Olmstead, Nida Ajaz, Kristin Mock, and Sophie Bawany. From how the podcast started to our team’s favorite episodes over the years, we’re reflecting on the trends that haven’t changed—and the tactics that still move the needle for credit unions and banks. Whether it’s email strategy, branded search ads, or being human on social media, this episode is packed with timeless insights for financial marketers.

Key Takeaways:

• Some lessons are evergreen. Branded keyword strategy, personalized emails, and authentic social media have all evolved, but they’re still as critical in 2025 as they were in 2021.
• Short, implementable content wins.  The Hit Record Podcast was created to offer quick, actionable tips for busy financial marketers. That approach still resonates today.
• Human connection is still the difference. Even in an AI-driven world, authenticity and trust remain the best ways to engage, convert, and retain members.

In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock discuss a critical and often overlooked opportunity for financial institutions: capturing leads before they drop off during the application process. They explore how simple lead forms, automation, and thoughtful follow-up can recover lost revenue and boost funded loans without burdening your team.

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Sophie Bawany tackle common myths about using Instagram for banks and credit unions. From replying to comments to using hashtags wisely, they share what actually works to boost engagement without burning out your team.

Key Takeaways:

• Replying Still Matters:  Responding to comments and direct messages can increase reach by up to 35 percent. Even quick replies help build trust and loyalty.
• Focus on Quality Over Quantity:  Posting two or three strong, shareable posts each week works better than daily filler content. Captions over 150 words are also seeing higher saves.
• Small Can Win: Micro-influencers and smaller, engaged followings can deliver better results than huge but passive audiences. Relevance beats reach every time.

In this new episode of the FI GROW podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Ida Burr break down what’s changing in digital ads for credit unions and community banks; from seasonality shifts to personal loan trends and the real numbers you need to hit for optimized conversions. Tune in for practical strategies to spend smarter and stay competitive.

Key Takeaways:

• Seasonality is Out the Window: Consumer behavior has shifted, follow the data, not the old calendar.
• Conversions Drive Optimization: No matter your budget, you need 10–20 conversions per campaign to feed the algorithms.
• Use All the Tools: Layer PPC, OTT/CTV, and native ads for more touchpoints; they work together to lower overall costs.

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock break down how credit unions and community banks can advocate for bigger, smarter marketing budgets. From connecting marketing efforts to core data to shifting the mindset from "expense" to "investment," they share actionable tips to align your budget with real growth goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Data Changes the Conversation: Connecting your core and marketing systems can prove that marketing drives revenue, not just impressions.
• Budget Shouldn’t Be Just Marketing’s Job:  Your website and digital assets support sales, service, and operations—so their budgets should too.
• Think Digital = Your Most Important Branch:  It’s time to treat your digital presence like the branch it truly is—an asset that deserves serious investment.

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and social strategist Sophie Bawany share how credit unions and banks can make financial content actually work on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. From simplifying the message to embracing real, behind-the-scenes moments—this episode is your cheat sheet for Gen Z engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• Simplify to Amplify - To engage younger audiences, financial institutions must strip away jargon and break complex topics into digestible, relatable bites—think “Part 1 of 3” video series or carousel posts that mirror how people actually scroll.
• Ditch the Polish, Embrace Personality - Overly produced content doesn’t perform well on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Raw, behind-the-scenes, staff-led Reels and face-to-camera clips feel more authentic—and authenticity wins trust.
• Use Platform Features with Purpose - Polls, sliders, trending audio, and direct calls to action (CTAs) are native to social platforms for a reason. Smart marketers use them to boost engagement and drive community interaction, not just impressions.

Cross-selling at community banks and credit unions doesn't have to feel like sales—it should feel like service. In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, FI GROW CEO Meredith Olmstead and Director of Sales Danielle Fancher unpack real-world strategies for creating authentic, high-impact cross-selling efforts. From live chat and automation to frontline staff training and data-driven segmentation, this episode is a deep dive into how to serve more deeply, not just sell more.

Key Takeaways:

Sales Is Service: Effective cross-selling starts with building trust and solving real problems—not pushing products.

Automate and Personalize: Use automation tools to respond instantly and personalize messages based on behavior and product use.

Celebrate the Wins: Daily team huddles, open discussion, and performance dashboards keep cross-selling goals aligned and team morale high.

In this episode of the FI GROW podcast, CEO Meredith Olmstead and Sales Director Danielle Fancher dig into a powerful conversation around customer acquisition vs. retention—and why focusing on deeper relationships with your existing members may be your most overlooked growth opportunity. From defining true onboarding to real-world tactics that work, they share actionable strategies to personalize, automate, and maximize every new relationship at your credit union or community bank.

Key Takeaways:

• Retention Costs Less—and Delivers More: It costs 5–7x more to acquire a new customer than to deepen a relationship with an existing one. Strong onboarding = stronger ROI.
• Onboarding Is More Than a Thank-You Note: True onboarding is a multi-channel, personalized, data-driven experience that nurtures product adoption and trust.
• Personalization Drives Growth: When onboarding is tailored to each user’s actions and needs, customers are more likely to open 3+ new products in their first 12 months.

Surveys aren't just for collecting opinions—they’re tools for growth. In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Nida Ajaz explore how banks and credit unions can use surveys strategically to deepen member relationships, improve product offerings, and make smarter, data-informed decisions. From onboarding to attrition, they share real use cases that turn feedback into action.

Key Takeaways:

Surveys + Data = Smarter Strategy: Relying on surveys alone can miss the mark. Marry member sentiment with real behavioral data to fuel better decisions.

Survey Timing Matters: Onboarding, application abandonment, and account closures are prime moments to gather actionable insights.

Make It Actionable: Use automation to route feedback, celebrate wins, respond to dissatisfaction, and drive follow-up campaigns (like Google reviews or referral asks).