If you look at the evolution of payments, it's always been about faster and cheaper. This past July, payments got a lot faster and a lot cheaper when the Fed introduced its FedNow instant payment service. Unlike Zelle, FedNow transactions settle instantly. And unlike RTP, the FedNow service is intended for institutions of all sizes, not just the mega banks.

The question is: Where and how does your credit union get started on its FedNow journey?

To help credit unions sort it all out, our friends at Samaha and Associates just published a white paper called "FedNow: The Future of Real-Time Payments. Why Credit Unions Can’t Be Fast Followers." In this episode of TechSolutions4CUs, listeners will get a sneak peek at that white paper. That’s because we’re fortunate to have with us from Samaha and Associates Nubia Valenzuela and Sabeh Samaha to share their thoughts and expertise.

Over the past three years, Reseda Group has established itself if the premier fintech investment CUSO. Reseda portfolio companies benefit not only from the financial resources the CUSO provides; they enjoy the invaluable experience of seeing their product tested and deployed at Michigan State Federal Credit Union.

In this episode, host John San Filippo speaks with Sara Dolan, MSUFCU's CFO, and Ben Maxim, Reseda Group's COO, about how the CUSO evaluates the technology, the finances and the cultural fit of any potential investment. The two offer practical advice for any credit union considering a fintech investment strategy.

Growing your credit union has long been an exercise in thinking big. Offer as many products and services as possible. Get as big a charter as possible. Cast as wide a net as possible.

Today, however, more and more credit unions are growing by thinking smaller, launching all-digital sub-brands targeted to very specific market segments.

Our guest  today is Michael Duncan, CEO of digital banking provider Bankjoy. The topic is creating niche digital sub-brands and how Bankjoy can help your credit union do just that.

Reseda Group is a wholly owned fintech investment CUSO of Michigan State Federal Credit Union. Reseda only invests in companies/products that are or will be deployed at the credit union. As such, companies that receive a Reseda investment get much more than money; they get the assurance that their solutions will be rigorously tested and implemented in a large, technologically sophisticated credit union.

In this episode of TechSolutions4CUs, Iceman and Maxim explain to host John San Filippo how the credit union, the CUSO and the fintechs work closely together for the betterment of the entire credit union industry.

It's not every episode that TechSolutions4CUs gets to chat with someone from a community bank. However, our guest for this episode, Kim Capps of Southern Bank, is so excited about digital banking her her bank's online provider, Apiture, that she was happy to share her insights with our credit union listeners. Kim provides some tips and tricks for business banking, discusses digital banking in general and reveals what it's like to work with the ideal technology partner. If your credit union is beginning to expand its business banking services, don't miss this episode.

The decision to subject your credit union to a core conversion is never an easy one. But sometimes that decision is made for you -- for example, when your core provider announces that the platform you're on is being sunsetted. It may be easier to just migrate to another core from the same provider. However, easier doesn't necessarily mean better. No matter what, your credit union will have to endure a conversion. So what better time to carefully consider all your options?

Such was the case with WESTconsin Credit Union. After extensive due diligence, the $2 billion credit union made the switch to Corelation's KeyStone platform. In this episode of TechSolutions4CUs, host John San Filippo talks with WESTconsin Credit Union CIO Kevin Hall about that decision, that conversion and all the benefits the credit union has realized since.

In this episode of TechSolutions4CUs, host John San Filippo talks with Gina Ramos, SVP and COO at $140 million Tulare County Federal Credit Union, about her credit union's journey to find and deploy a new core data processing platform. Topics include:

• Why Tulare County FCU decided to go shopping
• What the search process looked like
• Why the credit union ultimately chose Jack Henry's Symitar platform
• The pros and cons of using consultants
• Managing core and digital banking conversions at the same time
• How Tulare County FCU measures success
• Working with Jack Henry as a partner
• Lessons learned and advice for others

This episode is sponsored by Jack Henry, creators of the Symitar core processing platform.

In this episode of TechSolutions4CUs, host John San Filippo talks with credit union technology veteran KayCee Murray, SVP of Information Technology at Numerica Credit Union, about Numerica's journey to find and deploy a new digital banking platform. Topics include:

• Why Numerica decided to go shopping
• What the search process looked like
• Why Numerica ultimately chose Tyfone's nFinia platform
• The ups and downs of the implementation
• How Numerica measures success
• Working with Tyfone as a partner
• Lessons learned

This episode is sponsored by Tyfone, creators of the dramastically better nFinia digital banking platform.

In early Q2 of 2023, Finopotamus will be launch it's official podcast, TechSolutions4CUs. It's a one-of-a-kind podcast for a one-of-a-kind industry. In this podcast preview, Finopotamus co-founder and TechSolutions4CUs host John San Filippo explains what the podcast is all about. He fills you in on:

• What makes TechSolutions4CUs different from every podcast in cyberspace,
• A profile of who our guests will be,
• The topics we'll cover, and
• How you can get involved.

For more information, email John at [email protected].