On this episode Steve and Al talk with Jim Reuter, CEO and President at FirstBank. They discuss Jim's vision for FirstBank as an "open bank" by integrating with various software solutions to better serve their clients. They dive into the importance of leadership, fostering innovation, and talent development in the banking industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of banking, financial institutions, and fintech innovation.

In this episode of Plugged In, Al Dominick is joined in the studio by Anton Schutz, an experienced bank stock investor and founder of Mendon Venture Partners, a venture capital firm focused on early- to mid-stage technology companies. The two debate when bank M&A might pick up, the need to reduce expenses — to reinvest in technology opportunities — and the drive for deposits, deposits, deposits. As a bonus, they highlight a great California vineyard doing something special to honor victims and survivors of 9/11.

On today's episode of Plugged In, Steve Williams sits down with Brandi Gregory, Managing Director in Cornerstone Advisors’ Contract Negotiation and Payments practices.

Executing a business strategy requires courage, commitment and culture — points raised by Eric Sprink, the CEO of Coastal Community Bank. With Al Dominick, the two explore embedded finance, embedded fintech, executing on a BaaS strategy and why now is such an amazing time to be a community banker.

Collyn Gilbert, the Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Valley Bank takes Plugged In's hosts, Al Dominick and Steve Williams, behind the scenes of the $54B+ institution.  The three share quite a few laughs while talking about how to architect a strategy, areas of potential opportunities — and how to keep strategic planning from becoming a glorified budgeting activity.

The new CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, Lindsey Johnson, joins Al Dominick to breakdown recent regulatory actions, potential oversight on crypto and emerging small business trends.

Al and Steve crank up the volume with the founder of Second Curve Capital, Tom Brown. Starting with the state of talent in the tech sector, the three discuss current marketing volatility, how bankers continue to pay lip-service to going "branch light" and why culture remains king in the financial sector.

In advance of his retirement from Idaho Central Credit Union, Steve Williams and Al Dominick talk with Kent Oram, ICCU's CEO, about luck being where opportunity and preparation meet. With one of the most impressive growth stories in financial services, Kent shares his approach to keeping creative mindsets from "being crushed" by naysayers. Further, how the team's culture evolved and is now known for successfully reaching out to communities through their Green Team.

With the CMO of Chainalysis, Ian Andrews, Al Dominick explores digital assets, on-chain identity and why business leaders should continue to lean in on blockchain — on the heels of FTX's collapes and this crypto winter.

While crypto craters, the business of banking continues to grow. Plugged In's Al Dominick is joined in studio by Ron Shevlin, the Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors. The two discuss how and where to accelerate banks' digital capabilities with the tech community's support.  Al gets Ron to reveal why he remains so bullish on the concept of Buy Now, Pay Later...why he believes "geography is dead" for community banks...and how Ron rationalizes embedded fintech vs embedded finance.