AI is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean your content has to sound like a robot wrote it. In Episode 106 of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Sophie Bawany break down how financial marketers can use AI tools to save time while still creating real, engaging content that sounds human.

Key Takeaways:

Use AI to streamline, not to replace: AI is a powerful tool for idea generation, scheduling, and research. But it should never create final content on its own. Real stories, emotional nuance, and the right tone still need a human touch.

Authenticity builds trust with your audience: If your content feels robotic or too polished, members will notice. The most effective posts come from a mix of structure and spontaneity. Review, edit, and personalize AI-generated content to make it sound like your brand.

Be transparent about how you use AI:  Don’t hide the fact that you're using AI. Instead, frame it as a way to work more efficiently and spend more time connecting with real people. When used with intention, AI can actually enhance the human side of your marketing.

In Episode 105 of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Ads Director Ida Burr dive into how banks and credit unions can make smarter digital ad decisions heading into 2026. From rising competition to AI placements and budget strategy, this episode is packed with quick tips to help you get more from your marketing dollars.

Key Takeaways:

• Conversion Volume Matters: Campaigns need at least 20 conversions every 30 days to fully optimize and reduce cost-per-acquisition.
• Budget Gaps Cost You Clicks: Use the "Impression Lost to Budget" metric in Google Ads to spot where you’re missing potential traffic.
• AI Max = More Visibility: Enabling AI Max can improve placement near AI-generated summaries without compromising compliance.

In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, CEO Meredith Olmstead is joined by Digital Marketing Director Rebecca Gwaltney to break down the top five branding mistakes that banks and credit unions should avoid. From inconsistent logos to outdated visuals and confusing calls-to-action, they share practical tips and simple fixes that can help financial institutions present a more cohesive, modern, and trustworthy brand. Whether you're building a new website or refreshing your ads, this conversation is packed with branding insights you can apply right away.

Key Takeaways:

• Inconsistent Branding:  Varying colors, fonts, and logos across platforms confuse your audience and erode trust. Establish and enforce a brand guide across departments.
• Overcomplicated Logos: Logos must be flexible across all digital placements. Create simplified versions for small screens and social icons.
• Generic Stock Photos:  Relying on generic imagery weakens emotional connection. Use real team members or layered graphics to add personality.

In this new episode of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead sits down with Nida Ajaz, FI GROW’s Senior VP of Marketing, to discuss how micro surveys:  short, one or two-question polls can deliver powerful insights for credit unions and community banks. They explain why these simple tools are especially valuable in an AI-driven search environment and how they can help financial institutions personalize member experiences, improve content strategies, and identify hot leads faster.

Key Takeaways:

• Micro surveys capture real-time member insights with just one or two questions
• These small data points help personalize journeys and improve content strategy
• Embedding surveys across email, web, and social helps gather ongoing feedback

In this new episode, Meredith Olmstead sits down with Taylor Malm, Senior Marketing Strategist at P1FCU, to uncover an unconventional yet highly effective approach to application abandonment campaigns. Using HubSpot and MeridianLink, Taylor shares how his team engineered a smart workaround that boosted loan and deposit completion rates significantly,  without relying on traditional form captures.

Key Takeaways:

• Track with Purpose: Use custom event tracking between MeridianLink and HubSpot to capture key application behaviors in real-time.
• Strategic Timing Wins: Trigger email workflows about 8 hours post-abandonment for optimal re-engagement.
• Let the Data Talk: Focus on long-term tracking to measure impact—some campaigns need a 365-day view to show real ROI.

Authenticity is the new currency in social media. In our latest blog episode, CEO Meredith Olmstead sits down with Sophie Bawany to break down the difference between User-Generated Content (UGC) and Employee-Generated Content (EGC). Learn why both matter, how to integrate them into your content strategy, and how they can help your credit union or bank stay relatable, trustworthy, and top of mind—without breaking the budget.

Key Takeaways:

UGC builds trust from the outside.  Real content from members creates authentic word-of-mouth marketing.

EGC builds trust from the inside. Employees sharing their perspective humanizes your brand.

Use both for better engagement. Plan for EGC, encourage UGC. Together, they stretch your reach and your budget.

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.