Numbers in a ledger only tell half the story. In this episode, Rita Garwood sits down with Brendan Cronin of Great American Insurance to dive deep into the world of "fuzzy data"—the emails, notes, and transcripts that hold the "why" behind your business outcomes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why unpredictable, unstructured data is actually a goldmine for insight

• How AI is changing the work on your desk without changing the org chart

• Why liberal arts backgrounds and "winding paths" make for the best digital transformation leaders

• How to move from a "shiny object" pilot project to institutionalized success.

As of April 1, 2026, the "informal pause" on anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement in Canada has officially ended. Financing and leasing companies are now subject to full assessments and audits by FINTRAC.In this episode, Rita Garwood sits down with Marcel Buerkler from the CFLA to discuss the regulatory shift that is catching many businesses off guard.In this video, we cover:• Why the financing and leasing sector was targeted for these new regulations.• The three distinct scenarios—from B2B property to high-value consumer goods—that now trigger AML obligations.• What a "full examination" from FINTRAC looks like.• Common red flags, including incomplete KYC data and non-tailored risk assessments.• The staggering cost of non-compliance, with penalties reaching up to $20 million per violation.

In this episode, Rita Garwood sits down with Joe Andries of GreatAmerica Portfolio Services Group to discuss the rapid acceleration of third-party servicing in the equipment finance sector. Joe breaks down the post-pandemic variables driving companies toward outsourcing, including business continuity, talent retention, and the need for scalable technology.Key topics include:• The evolution of "Outsourced Servicing" in today's market.• Lessons learned from the pandemic regarding fixed costs and operational flexibility.• Solving the talent and recruiting crisis through strategic partnerships.• Common misconceptions about losing customer control.• The future of digital transformation in portfolio management.

What does “consumerization” actually mean for B2B finance? Spoiler: it’s not about dumbing things down. It’s about making complexity invisible.In this episode, Monitor Editor in Chief Rita Garwood sits down with Ryan Ragland, VP of Enterprise Solutions at Valiant Finance, to unpack how modern buyer expectations are forcing the industry to change, and why that’s a good thing. From embedded finance to the real role of AI, this episode is packed with insights, real talk and forward-thinking advice for lenders, OEMs, and tech vendors alike.Topics Covered:• Why B2B buyers expect consumer-like speed• How to remove friction without losing control• The myth of AI replacing humans• How fintechs get it right—and what legacy players can learn• What embedded finance really meansDon’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

What does “consumerization” actually mean for B2B finance? Spoiler: it’s not about dumbing things down. It’s about making complexity invisible.

In this episode, Monitor Editor in Chief Rita Garwood sits down with Ryan Ragland, VP of Enterprise Solutions at Valiant Finance, to unpack how modern buyer expectations are forcing the industry to change, and why that’s a good thing. From embedded finance to the real role of AI, this episode is packed with insights, real talk and forward-thinking advice for lenders, OEMs, and tech vendors alike.

Topics Covered:

• Why B2B buyers expect consumer-like speed
• How to remove friction without losing control
• The myth of AI replacing humans
• How fintechs get it right—and what legacy players can learn
• What embedded finance really means

In this episode of the Monitor Podcast, Editor in Chief Rita Garwood sits down with Spencer Thomas, CEO, KLC Financial; Scott Nelson, CTO, Tamarack Technology and Alistair Canal, President, Syndifi to unpack a bold, collaborative effort to modernize the syndication process in equipment finance.What happens when a client brings two tech companies together? Real transformation. From culture shifts and system overloads to fear of failure and the power of trust, we explore how technology and teamwork can break down barriers and unlock new opportunities.Highlights:• How KLC tackled syndication inefficiencies• What true collaboration between vendors looks like• Why "good enough" is the enemy of innovation• Advice for leaders navigating tech transitions

In this episode of the Monitor podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rita Garwood sits down with Allard Pheifer, Global Lead of Sustainability at CHG-MERIDIAN, to break down why sustainability isn't a cost center—it's a value engine.Discover:• Why the linear economy is breaking• How circular models drive profit, not just purpose• What role lessors, banks, and independents play in creating sustainable systems• How leasing models cut carbon footprints by up to 30% • Why balancing People, Planet, and Profit is now a business imperativeWhether you're in equipment finance, asset management, or sustainability strategy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Cloud isn't just a buzzword anymore, it’s the backbone of modern IT. But what happens when critical finance platforms are still stuck on-prem or weighed down by legacy architectures?In this episode of the Monitor Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rita Garwood sits down with Alex Barnes, Director of Cloud Hosting at Alfa, to discuss what really holds companies back from moving to the cloud — and what they can do about it. From cultural shifts and compliance hurdles to tenancy models and disaster recovery, Alex shares sharp, practical insights for navigating the SaaS conversation with clarity and confidence.

What happens when two longtime industry leaders reunite to build something radically new? In this episode of the Monitor Podcast, Publisher Lisa Rafter sits down with Bill Stephenson, CEO of PEAC Solutions, and Eileen Schoonmaker, President of the Americas, for a powerful conversation on leadership, disruption, and redefining success in equipment finance.From scaling a culture of innovation to mentoring the next generation of talent, Bill and Eileen share the principles guiding their bold strategy at PEAC — and the unshakable trust behind their decades-long partnership.• Leadership chemistry• Growth with intention• Disrupting legacy thinking• Scaling culture and innovation• Advice for future leaders Sponsored by: STRIPES Leadership Program — Learn more at stripesleadership.com

Manual underwriting is slowing lenders down — and borrowers won’t wait. In this episode of the Monitor Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Rita Garwood sits down with Carolina Patiño, Product Manager at Kin Analytics, to talk about how data, AI and automation are transforming the underwriting process.You’ll learn:• The biggest limitations of traditional underwriting• How predictive models and alternative data are changing the game• What successful lenders are doing to streamline workflows• Real-world results: faster approvals, fewer defaults, better borrower experiences• How to modernize without losing human judgmentListen now and get practical insights you can act on. Subscribe for more conversations shaping the future of equipment finance.