Leaders in Lending

To reliably forecast what the future of finance the economy holds, you must be able to assess the current moment.

This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal speaks with Joseph Mayans, Chief Economist at Experian, who shares his economic and credit outlook for the year ahead in 2024, along with consumer credit trends and potential risk areas. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Key factors shaping a more optimistic 2024 compared to 2023
• The dichotomy between a strong economy and labor market with slow credit growth
• Consumer spending and increased delinquencies
• The housing market and potential risks on the horizon

This week, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal and Matt Snow are joined by Kelvin Chen, Senior Executive VP, Head of Policy at the Consumer Bankers Association. Kelvin shares his assessment of the current landscape of financial regulation, innovation, and advocacy. As someone who has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors (including the CFPB), Kelvin has no shortage of expertise and what does (and doesn’t) make for an effective approach to financial regulation that centers the consumer experience and a need for innovation.

Join us as we discuss:

• How politicization of financial regulation has affected the accuracy of facts presented by key players
• The broad impact of the recent Executive Order on AI
• Why banks should ramp up their initiatives to educate the public and build trust
• The current regulatory squeeze on regional banks

With periods of financial collapse and upheaval serving as the catalyst, movers and shakers in the world of digital finance solutions have navigated a host of challenges — all while tending to the concerns of regulators and the needs of consumers alike.  

This week, our host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Penny Lee, President and CEO at Financial Technology Association to break down all things fintech and how it intersects with regulatory changes, financial crises, and innovative product development. Penny brings a wealth of experience in (and hard-won knowledge about) politics, policy, and investing, which allows her to provide nuanced insights into how these realms impact one another.

Join Lynn and Penny as they discuss:

• The benefits of fintech companies positively engaging with regulators
• Why earned wage access plays such a large role in financial health
• The evolution of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products and services

Joining our host Drew Megrey is Jared Dryer, VP of Consumer Lending and Centralized Deposits at Westerra Credit Union. Jared brings a passion for streamlining processes for employees and consumers alike—and he shares insights from his experience in building and implementing an automated decision engine and rethinking the process for underwriting adaptive auto loans.

Discussed in this episode:

• The challenges of rebuilding a consumer lending program
• What factors influence the loan-to-value (LTD) ratio
• Underwriting adaptive auto loans to serve the community
• Predictions about blockchain’s impact on the banking industry

This week, our host Barry Roach is joined by Nathan Cox, CEO of InRoads Credit Union, to discuss his transition from banking to the world of credit unions, as well as the stakeholder-focused culture and societal impact of credit unions.

Nathan’s position and insights have been hard-won, as he’s put no shortage of work into bettering himself—from his days as a walk-on D1 basketball player to an MBA student seeking to address any and all shortcomings. It’s this same level of insightfulness and dedication to growth and personal betterment that Nathan brings to his vision for improved consumer experience.

Barry and Nathan discuss:

• The importance of involving employees in decision-making
• Why organizations should prioritize member experience and stakeholder value over shareholder growth
• The relationship between financial literacy and economic development

How will responsible data practices and blockchain technology shape the financial technology landscape this year?

Join our host, Matt Snow and guest Sanjib Kalita, Head of Industry at Fintech Meetup, as they explore key themes such as data technology, blockchain, and the importance of networking in the industry's evolution. From personal experiences with bad data to the potential of blockchain for data ownership, listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of financial technology.

Discussed in this episode:

• Responsible data practices and the need for consumer engagement in the credit industry
• The potential of blockchain technology for decentralizing data and building trust in credit decisions
• The significance of networking and collaboration in the FinTech industry for startups, partnerships, and staying informed

Joining our host Ed Walters this week is Simon Darchis, Head of Partnerships at Finwise Bank, to discuss his trajectory in the financial services sector from Europe to the US. With this multi-cultural background in finance, Simon explains the intricacies of fintech, unraveling the cultural and regulatory differences that shape these distinct markets.

Ed and Simon discuss:

• The pivotal role of adaptability in navigating the evolving landscape of financial services
• Insights into the contrasting fintech practices between America and Europe, emphasizing the significance of cultural understanding in the industry
• The critical importance of compliance in fintech partnerships

Stacy Armijo, the Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union, joins our host Drew Megrey to share her path to credit union leadership and discusses how Amplify has made strides to prioritize their member experience, including going fee-free on checking and savings accounts. 

Discussed in this episode:

• Diversity in product development and the importance of aligning products with the needs of diverse customer demographics.
• The strategic move towards fee-free banking, including the elimination of overdraft fees, prioritizing fairness, equity, and customer satisfaction.
• Technological evolution and its impact on industry adaptation, from open banking trends to the integration of virtual reality in financial experiences.

The new year always brings change, and Leaders in Lending is no exception. Our long-time host, Jeff Keltner, is taking on new opportunities, but he is excited to pass the mic to a wonderful group of new co-hosts for this new era of Leaders in Lending!

Moving into the host seat we have 5 co-hosts joining us, all with deep expertise in the current lending climate.

Edward Walters, VP account management at Upstart
Matt Snow, Head of solutions consulting at Upstart
Barry Roach, Senior Account Manager at Upstart
Drew Megrey, Senior Account Manager at Upstart
Lynn Sautter Beal, Vice President of Implementation and Success at Upstart

Please join us to hear from each their perspective on the current economic outlook and what excites them for the year ahead.

Hear how Colony Bank is leading the way in delivering digital solutions to fuel loan growth responsibly, even in uncertain times. Heath Fountain, Chief Executive Officer, and Lenny Bateman, Chief Credit Officer, talk about how they are leveraging technology and additional data to continue to serve their existing customers' borrowing needs and still acquire new customers in today's macro environment.

Join us as we discuss:

• The bank’s strategy to balancing growth, returns and risk in a evolving macro climate
• A CEO and CCO’s perspective on embracing change and adapting in the modern world and leveraging AI for more accurate credit decisioning
• How financial well-being, customer relationships and loyalty can be fostered in a digital world