Welcome back for episode 2 of Travillian Next Trailblazers! In this episode, host Keith Daly, Principal - Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Kalyani Ramadurgam, CEO and Co-Founder of Kobalt Labs, to explore her transition from AI researcher at Stanford University to fintech entrepreneur.

Join Keith and Kalyani as they discuss how Kobalt Labs is using AI to streamline compliance, the pivotal role of customer feedback in shaping the platform, and the unexpected challenges that led to major pivots. Kalyani also shares insights from engaging with 200+ compliance officers and her vision for the future of fintech and community banking.

In this episode of Travillian Next, Travillian host Keith Daly, Principal - Banking & Fintech Search, and Gene Yoshida, an Independent Risk and Compliance Consultant who advises Banks and Fintechs, dive into the fast-moving world of stablecoins and what they mean for banks and fintechs. With regulation still taking shape, can community banks afford to sit this one out?

Gene breaks down where stablecoins are headed, why risk management is non-negotiable, and how digital asset firms are eyeing partnerships with traditional banks. If you want to understand the future of money movement, this one’s worth a listen.

MidWestOne Bank is a $6.2 billion in assets community bank with a footprint spanning from Denver to Minnesota to its home base in Iowa. As the bank's technology needs evolved, it became clear that the bank had outgrown its existing talent structure. But when is the right time to bring in a CIO—and how do you find the right leader to drive meaningful change?

In this conversation, hosted by Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech at Travillian, MOFG leaders share their journey from recognizing the need for a CIO to executing an executive search that led them to the right fit. Join MidWestOne's Chief Executive Officer, Chip Reeves, and new Chief Information Officer, Paul Ho-Sing-Loy, as they discuss the challenges of hiring at the executive level, why they chose to work with a recruiter, and what set their final candidate apart. Also, hear from the recruiter at Travillian, Patrick Cooney, who found Paul and helped him get excited about an opportunity that would see him relocate from New Jersey to Iowa.

For banks facing similar growing pains, this conversation offers key takeaways on knowing when to expand your leadership team—and how to make the right hire when you do.

Introducing Travillian Next Trailblazers: The Story Behind the Journey! The Trailblazer Series will dive deeper into the personal story of fintech founders, detailing how they started & grew their company in the face of rejection, resistance, and constant challenges. The life of an entrepreneur can be thrilling, disappointing, risky, rewarding, fulfilling, and of course stressful. The Trailblazer series will focus on the peaks and valleys of the journey with insights and advice for the listeners.

In our first episode, host Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Nikhil Lakhanpal, co-founder of Narmi, to explore what it really takes to build a game-changing fintech company. From shaking up the status quo in banking to navigating the chaos of COVID-19, Nikhil shares his journey—full of challenges, innovation, and lessons for aspiring founders.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the entrepreneurial mindset, the future of digital banking, and the unexpected hurdles along the way. Listen now!

In one of our final Travillian Next episodes of 2024, join our Head of Bank Strategy, Michael Perito, for this can’t-miss conversation with one of the original architects of Banking-as-a-Service, the “Godfather” Brad Hanson. Brad’s career in banking and payments is vast, beginning at BankFirst, which later became The Bancorp, Inc. (TBBK), where he started a mortgage division and later a payment card division that became one of the largest in the country. He also was a key architect of building out a similar BaaS platform at Meta Financial Group, now Pathward Financial (CASH), where he lastly served as President and Chief Executive Officer.

In this episode of Travillian Next, Travillian's Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech, Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search, and Michael Perito, Head of Bank Strategy, break down what’s ahead for banking and fintech in 2025. With their sharp expertise and lively personalities, they make the tough topics—like succession planning, tech-driven leadership, and the demand for top-tier CFOs—sound anything but boring.

The trio breaks down why community banks need to balance big-picture vision with real-world execution, while also stressing the need for fresh strategies in risk management. Packed with insights and a few laughs, this episode shows how banks need to stay on their toes and adapt to a world that's changing faster than ever.

Earlier this year, Newsweek named DFCU Financial one of America’s Top Credit Unions. In this episode of Travillian Next, Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech at Travillian, was lucky enough to sit down with DFCU’s President & CEO, Ryan Goldberg, to uncover the story behind the bank’s success and what some would consider “his bold career moves.” What drives a leader to leave a memorable career in community banking and take on the unique challenges of the credit union world?

They discuss DFCU’s strategic growth through M&A, the approach to leadership and mentorship, and how they’re shaping the next generation of talent. Ryan also shares his perspective on the very nuanced task of navigating industry transitions.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction to DFCU Financial and Ryan Goldberg

07:38 | Transition from Community Banking to Credit Unions

14:39 | Navigating Criticism in Credit Union Acquisitions

19:41 | Retention and Integration Post-Acquisition

27:39 | The Role of Mentorship in Career Growth

Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech at Travillian, chats with Tom Ogaard, CEO of Native American Bank, about their efforts to boost economic opportunities in Native American communities.

Native American Bank partners with other native loan banks and non-bank native CDFIs to bring financial services to reservation-based communities. They focus on projects such as healthcare facilities, housing, and economic development, aiming to create new jobs and improve the economic opportunities for tribes and tribal communities.

Learn more about how Native American Bank is driving change through these strategic partnerships and innovative projects.

Topics Discussed:

The 2024 NEXT Forum, hosted by Travillian and Newcleus LLC at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ.

Day of Education – Session #8

Headliner: Johnny Allison, Chairman, CEO & Co-Founder of Home Bancshares Inc - The always colorful, passionate and genuine Johnny talks about the interesting journey of Home Bancshares, provides market commentary and shares stories that shaped his career and life.

This conversation is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Speaker:
Johnny Allison - Chairman/CEO/Co-Founder, Home Bancshares, Inc.

Moderators:
Joe Fenech, Founder and CIO, GenOpp Capital Management

Brian Love, Head of Banking & Fintech, Travillian

Join us for this can’t miss episode of Travillian Next with Scott Studwell, Stephens' Head of U.S. Depositories and Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets, and Frank Sorrentino, Managing Director at Stephens, as they join our own Michael Perito, Travillian’s Head of Bank Strategy, to discuss what the current outlook for bank M&A and capital issuing looks like post election. The political red wave that took over Washington D.C. over the past week leaves bank investors clearly optimistic about the outlook for the banking industry, although what does this mean for bank M&A and capital raising efforts, which have been at historic lows for about two years at this point.