Host - Rory Holland - cstmr.com - Linkedin: CSTMR

Interviewed - Jorge Garcia, Linker Finance - LinkedIn: Linker Finance

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In This Episode

Join us for Episode 28 of Mighty Finsights, where Rory Holland interviews Jorge Garcia, Co-founder and CEO of Linker Finance, about the digital banking needs that community banks have for their commercial clients. Jorge shares his journey from Honduras to the U.S., lessons learned as an internationally competitive swimmer, and how these experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. Jorge also talks about how his relationship with his wife and co-founder has also affected the growth and health of the company overall. The conversation also explores the unique economic role that community banks play in the U.S., how the future could play out for those institutions, and why doing things the hard way can actually be a key to success in a crowded marketplace.

Key Takeaways

• Linker Finance provides digital banking solutions for commercial banking clients.
• Jorge's background as an international swimmer instilled a long-term goal mindset paired with skills to execute in the short term. 
• Community banks are responsible for the amazing health of small businesses and the U.S. economy
• Fintech companies are increasingly looking at the commercial banking sector as an opportunity to innovate. 
• Building relationships is key in marketing to community banks.
• Jorge emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins in business.
• Linker Finance aims to connect business banking technology with the needs of community banks.
• Strategic partnerships are playing a big role in Linker’s next phase of growth.
• Jorge believes that community banks can thrive with the right technology.
• The future of fintech is uncertain - it could greatly reduce the role of community banks or it could make them stronger.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Linker Finance

02:56 Jorge's Journey from Honduras to the U.S.

06:00 The Birth of Linker Finance

08:56 Understanding Community Banks and Their Needs

12:06 Working With Vault.Bank and Gaining a New Investor

14:39 The Impact of Competitive Swimming on Business

19:51 Brand Positioning in a Competitive Market

21:35 Building Relationships in Business

23:45 Spouses and Co-founders:  A Match Made in Honduras

27:29 The Importance of Community Banks

31:12 How Constraint Satisfaction Helps Build Companies

34:24 Innovations on the Horizon for Linker

36:28 Holistic User Experience in Community Banking

40:31 Reframing the Data on Community Banking and Technology

45:47 The Essence of Linker: Connection and Innovation