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In this episode, host Greg Palmer sits down with Debbie Hsu, EVP of Product at Experian, to discuss the company’s innovative approach to empowering consumers through technology. Debbie shares insights into her role at Experian, where she leads product development for North America’s consumer services. She highlights Experian’s mission to bring financial power to all by leveraging data and technology responsibly, creating tools that help consumers better understand and manage their financial situations with confidence. Debbie’s passion for solving meaningful problems at scale shines through as she explains how Experian is working to make a real impact on consumers’ financial lives. The conversation focuses on Experian’s virtual assistant, EVA, a consumer-first AI tool designed to simplify complex financial questions and provide actionable guidance. Available through the Experian app and website, EVA helps users navigate tasks like improving credit scores with Experian Boost, freezing credit files during data breaches, and understanding spending and cash flow insights. Debbie emphasizes the importance of finance-specific AI tools like EVA, which are built on trusted data and domain expertise, as opposed to generic AI solutions that may provide misleading or incomplete advice. She also shares how real-world consumer interactions with EVA have revealed a strong need for clarity on financial fundamentals, such as credit scores, debt management, and identity protection. Debbie concludes by discussing the critical role of trust in AI-driven financial tools. She outlines Experian’s commitment to transparency, high-quality data, and strong governance to ensure EVA acts in consumers’ best interests. By empowering users to stay in control of their financial decisions and providing personalized, explainable recommendations, Experian aims to build lasting trust with its customers. This episode offers valuable insights into how consumer-centric AI can address real financial challenges and create a more inclusive financial ecosystem. More info: Experian: https://www.experian.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/experian/ EVA: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-eva/ Debbie Hsu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-hsu/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #Experian #EVA #consumer #credit #lending #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode, host Greg Palmer sits down with Debbie Hsu, EVP of Product at Experian, to discuss the company’s innovative approach to empowering consumers through technology. Debbie shares insights into her role at Experian, where she leads product development for North America’s consumer services. She highlights Experian’s mission to bring financial power to all by leveraging data and technology responsibly, creating tools that help consumers better understand and manage their financial situations with confidence. Debbie’s passion for solving meaningful problems at scale shines through as she explains how Experian is working to make a real impact on consumers’ financial lives. The conversation focuses on Experian’s virtual assistant, EVA, a consumer-first AI tool designed to simplify complex financial questions and provide actionable guidance. Available through the Experian app and website, EVA helps users navigate tasks like improving credit scores with Experian Boost, freezing credit files during data breaches, and understanding spending and cash flow insights. Debbie emphasizes the importance of finance-specific AI tools like EVA, which are built on trusted data and domain expertise, as opposed to generic AI solutions that may provide misleading or incomplete advice. She also shares how real-world consumer interactions with EVA have revealed a strong need for clarity on financial fundamentals, such as credit scores, debt management, and identity protection. Debbie concludes by discussing the critical role of trust in AI-driven financial tools. She outlines Experian’s commitment to transparency, high-quality data, and strong governance to ensure EVA acts in consumers’ best interests. By empowering users to stay in control of their financial decisions and providing personalized, explainable recommendations, Experian aims to build lasting trust with its customers. This episode offers valuable insights into how consumer-centric AI can address real financial challenges and create a more inclusive financial ecosystem. More info: Experian: https://www.experian.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/experian/ EVA: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-eva/ Debbie Hsu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-hsu/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #Experian #EVA #consumer #credit #lending #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode, Greg sits down with Luz Urrutia, CEO of the Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), to explore the critical role of small businesses in the economy and the challenges they face in accessing capital. Luz shares her personal journey as a Venezuelan immigrant and her experience with the U.S. banking system, which inspired her to lead AOF in creating economic opportunities for underserved small business owners. As a digital-first nonprofit lender and community development financial institution (CDFI), AOF provides affordable loans, educational tools, and support networks to help small businesses thrive, particularly those in low-income or distressed communities. Luz delves into the innovative approach AOF takes to bridge the $100 billion capital gap for small business loans. Combining technology, data analytics, and human judgment, AOF ensures that unbankable yet financeable business owners receive the support they need. Beyond lending, AOF emphasizes education, offering free resources, webinars, coaching, and a new digital accelerator program in partnership with Ripple. This initiative equips small business owners with digital tools and skills in areas like payments, automation, and marketing, while also providing grants to help them implement their learnings. Looking ahead, Luz discusses the evolving small business landscape, highlighting the growing importance of AI, the rise of micro-businesses, and the resilience of entrepreneurs in adapting to challenges. She underscores the need for access to capital and support systems as key factors in driving success. With a focus on measurable outcomes, AOF has deployed over $1 billion in loans, created significant economic impact, and helped millions of small business owners improve their financial standing. This episode offers a compelling look at how fintech innovation and intentional support can transform lives and communities. More info: Accion Opportunity Fund: https://aofund.org/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/accion-opportunity-fund/ Luz Urrutia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luz-urrutia/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #SMB #payments #credit #lending #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer sits down with Robert Bueninck, CEO of Unzer, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small and medium-sized businesses in the digital payments space. Robert introduces Unzer as a European fintech focused on providing a unified commerce suite for businesses, enabling them to integrate online, in-store, and mobile payments into one ecosystem. He highlights the unique dynamics of the German market, where cash transactions still dominate, and explains how cultural factors, privacy concerns, and banking practices contribute to this trend. The conversation also touches on the differences in payment methods across Europe and the global innovation happening in markets like India, Brazil, and Asia. The discussion shifts to the struggles small businesses face in adapting to the digital economy, particularly in providing seamless customer experiences and accessing financial services. Robert emphasizes the need for tools that help local businesses innovate and compete, especially as the lines between online and offline commerce blur. He also points out the shortcomings of traditional banks in serving small businesses, such as slow processes and poor user experiences, which have opened the door for neo-banks and challenger banks to step in. The impact of COVID-19 on accelerating digital adoption among small businesses is explored, with examples of how local retailers have embraced online transactions and unified payment experiences. Finally, the episode delves into the role of policymakers and regulators in shaping the future of digital payments. Robert critiques the European regulatory environment, calling for a shift in focus from compliance paperwork to solving real-world problems. He uses the analogy of traffic rules to illustrate the complexity of the digital payments landscape and the need for a more pragmatic approach to regulation. The episode concludes with an exciting announcement about Unzer’s launch of Unzer Financial Services, which aims to provide merchants with a complete ecosystem for managing payments, accounts, and spending—all from a single platform. More info: Unzer: https://www.unzer.com/en/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/unzer/ Robert Bueninck https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbueninck/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ #Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #SMB #payments #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #unzer

In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer wraps up conversations with the FinovateEurope Best of Show winners, featuring Márk Hetényi, CEO of Ready. Márk introduces R34DY’s innovative platform, which specializes in context engineering to create deterministic maps of systems for AI agents. This technology enables reliable answers for tasks such as documentation, bug fixing, data mapping, and process modeling, addressing the growing demand for AI solutions in financial institutions.Márk also highlights the evolution of R34DY’s platform since its debut at FinovateEurope last year, emphasizing its ability to deliver precise and reliable results for complex systems. The discussion delves into the increasing adoption of AI in the financial sector, with Márk sharing insights from his global engagements with banks and institutions. He notes the challenges banks face in applying AI to legacy systems and complex architectures, emphasizing the need for deep AI knowledge and deterministic approaches to overcome these hurdles. Márk also highlights the growing belief in AI’s potential to tackle more complex tasks, such as system transformations, while addressing the limitations of traditional AI solutions that often produce unreliable results. Márk concludes by discussing R34DY’s vision for democratizing AI technology, making it accessible to smaller and medium-sized institutions that lack the resources of larger banks. He shares his excitement about helping these organizations achieve the same level of efficiency and innovation as their larger counterparts. The episode also touches on Márk’s advice for fintechs preparing for events like Finovate, emphasizing the importance of engaging demos and genuine networking to make the most of such opportunities. More info: Ablements by R34DY: https://ablements.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/r34dy/ Márk Hetényi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhetenyi/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/  #Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #llm #legacycode #AI #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #financialrisk #r34dy #ablements #corebanking

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Ohad Kotler, co-founder and CEO of Tweezr, one of the Best of Show winners at FinovateEurope. Ohad shares insights into Tweezr’s innovative approach to addressing legacy systems in banking, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reverse-engineering existing systems rather than replacing them outright. He explains how Tweezr combines bottom-up analysis of source code with top-down perspectives on banking operations to create robust capability maps, enabling businesses to design effective changes and evolve their systems. Ohad’s firsthand experience with legacy system challenges at ING has shaped Tweezr’s AI-native solution, which leverages large language models (LLMs) to provide meaningful insights and facilitate decision-making. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of Tweezr’s solution and its unique ability to bridge the gap between deterministic code analysis and business-oriented frameworks. Ohad highlights the importance of clarity, safety, and human oversight in managing legacy systems, especially in the context of AI-driven modernization efforts. He also discusses the recent announcement by Anthropic regarding Cloud Code’s ability to modernize systems, noting its impressive speed but emphasizing the need for complementary solutions like Tweezr to ensure stability and meaningful change. The discussion underscores Tweezr’s focus on enabling businesses to understand and evolve their systems effectively, while addressing the inherent challenges of legacy code. As the episode concludes, Ohad reflects on Tweezr’s momentum following back-to-back Best of Show wins at FinovateEurope. He shares how the event has facilitated valuable conversations with major banks and core banking solution providers, opening doors for collaboration and growth. With plans to continue evolving their solution and engaging with the banking industry, Tweezr aims to play a key role in the global transition toward modernized banking systems. This episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of AI, legacy systems, and the future of banking technology. More info: Tweezr: https://www.tweezr.io/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/tweezr/ Ohad Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohad-kotler/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ #Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #llm #legacycode #AI #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #financialrisk #tweezr #corebanking

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Savannah Price, founder and CEO of Serene, one of the Best of Show winners at FinovateEurope 2026.

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer sits down with Dor Eligula, co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Bridgewise, to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the investment and wealth management industries. Dor shares insights into his personal journey, the founding of Bridgewise, and the company’s mission to bridge the wisdom gap in financial services. With a focus on enabling smarter investment decisions, Bridgewise leverages cutting-edge AI technologies to serve a diverse range of clients, from retail investors to brokers, advisors, and quant hedge funds. Dor delves into the transformative impact of AI on both individual and institutional investors. He explains how Bridgewise uses AI to analyze 70,000 financial instruments daily across 18 languages, providing detailed insights into stocks, ETFs, ESG factors, and more. The platform’s ability to convert unstructured data into actionable intelligence empowers users to make informed decisions, while its agentic AI layer orchestrates portfolio management at an unprecedented scale. Dor also highlights the psychological benefits of informed investing, emphasizing how better tools and processes can enhance investor confidence—even in the face of losses. The conversation concludes with a look at global trends and the future of AI in wealth management. Dor discusses regional differences in AI adoption, comparing markets like the US and Japan, and predicts the rise of niche-focused AI applications as the next wave of innovation. He shares his vision for Bridgewise as a leader in AI for wealth and offers insights into the broader economic implications of AI advancements. Packed with valuable perspectives, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and finance. More info: Bridgewise: https://bridgewise.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridgewise/ Dor Eligula: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreligula/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ #Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #investing #wealthmanagement #AI #research #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #businessintelligence #capital #wealth

In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer sits down with Matt Ober, Managing Partner at Social Leverage, to discuss the dynamic world of venture capital in the fintech space. Matt shares insights into Social Leverage’s focus on seed-stage investments, highlighting their success as early investors in companies like Robinhood, eToro, and Alpaca. With the recent close of their fifth fund, an $85 million venture, Matt reflects on the current investment landscape, emphasizing the influx of capital into AI-driven solutions and the evolving opportunities in financial services driven by regulatory changes and technological advancements. The conversation delves into the role of AI in reshaping industries, particularly in financial services. Matt discusses how AI is enabling companies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and rethink traditional business models. He highlights the importance of leveraging AI for tasks like data collection, organization, and analysis, which can significantly enhance decision-making processes. While acknowledging the imperfections of AI, Matt stresses the importance of transparency, auditability, and critical thinking when utilizing AI tools. He also shares his perspective on the future of financial services, predicting the rise of super apps, tokenization, and global investment opportunities that will simplify access to private and public markets. Finally, Matt offers valuable advice for fintech founders looking to stand out in a crowded space. He emphasizes the importance of networking, securing warm introductions, and targeting the right investors who align with their vision. He also warns against common mistakes, such as raising money from unsuitable investors or structuring teams ineffectively. The episode concludes with Matt’s predictions for the next five years, including the blending of investing, gambling, and prediction markets, as well as the global expansion of investment opportunities. With San Diego hosting FinovateSpring, Matt also shares his enthusiasm for the city’s vibrant business ecosystem and lifestyle, making it an ideal destination for innovators and investors alike. More info: Social Leverage: https://www.socialleverage.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/socialleverage/ Matt Ober: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obermattj/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #venturecapital #fintechVC #AI #SMEfintech #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #diversity #capital

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Joel Blake, OBE, founder and CEO of GFA Exchange, who will also be moderating a session FinovateEurope. Joel shares his eclectic journey into the fintech space, driven by a passion for democratizing access to finance and empowering businesses to grow regardless of their differences. He discusses his background, which spans grassroots work, policy development, entrepreneurship, and technology innovation. Joel highlights the creation of GFA Exchange, a data intelligence platform that enables lenders and private capital providers to benchmark, monitor, and trade financial insights to manage risk and optimize portfolios. By focusing on SME financial health as a tradable asset class, GFA Exchange aims to disrupt the market and foster equitable inclusion. Joel delves into his personal and professional experiences that shaped his focus on SME financing. From humble beginnings to roles in employment mentoring, diversity leadership in sports, and co-founding an SME lending firm, Joel has consistently sought to bridge gaps and create opportunities for underserved businesses. His work in SME lending led to the development of a technology-driven alternative risk model, achieving a default rate four times lower than the UK average. This success inspired him to transition into policy, where he led initiatives to deploy capital and support business growth for thousands of SMEs. Joel emphasizes the importance of leveraging diversity and inclusion as a driver for growth, not just as a moral imperative. Looking ahead, Joel shares his vision for the future of financial services, emphasizing a human-centered approach that integrates technology and AI with principled intelligence. He predicts trends such as deeper insights from data, earlier-stage business support, and increased collaboration between corporate organizations, smaller businesses, and regulators. Joel also expresses excitement about moderating at FinovateEurope, where he looks forward to facilitating actionable insights for attendees and fostering meaningful dialogue among innovators and leaders. More info: GFA Exchange: https://www.gfaexchange.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfaexchange/ Joel Blake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelblakeobe/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ #Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #grassrootsfintech #financialinclusion #democratizingaccess #SMEfintech #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #ai #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #diversity #capital

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer connects with Brent Biernat, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at COCC, a finalist in the Finovate Awards for Best Back Office Solution and Executive of the Year. Brent shares his journey of over 30 years with COCC, highlighting his passion for community banking and the company’s mission to support small businesses and consumers. COCC, a core and digital banking services provider for over 150 clients in the Northeast, operates under a unique cooperative structure that fosters long-term vision and prioritizes customer needs over short-term profitability. Brent delves into the advantages of COCC’s cooperative model, which ensures that all shareholders are active customers and board members are CEOs of financial institutions. This structure promotes trust, transparency, and open communication, allowing COCC to tailor its technology and services to meet the specific needs of each institution. Brent emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with customers, where mutual understanding and collaboration lead to better outcomes. He also discusses how COCC’s Strategic Development Council and regular executive visits help maintain alignment with customer goals and ensure continuous improvement. The episode also highlights COCC’s recent recognition in the American Bankers Association (ABA) survey, where it ranked number one across multiple categories, including service, technology, and contract fairness. Brent shares insights on the importance of fully utilizing technology and maintaining transparent, long-term partnerships. He offers advice to financial institutions evaluating core relationships, encouraging them to prioritize adaptability, trust, and shared growth. This engaging conversation underscores the value of collaboration and innovation in the fintech and banking sectors. More info: COCC: https://www.cocc.com/  ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/cocc/ Brent Biernat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-biernat-b542bb/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ Finovate Awards: https://informaconnect.com/finovate-industry-awards/ #Finovate #COCC #Banking #CreditUnions #banks #finovateawards #awardsfinalist #digitalbanking #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #backoffice #ai #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #innovation #communitybanking

Fintech in 2025: an end of year review, and a look forward to 2026. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate podcast, Greg is joined by Steven Ramirez of Beyond the Arc to reflect on the key trends and developments that shaped the FinTech landscape in 2025 while offering predictions for 2026. The conversation explores the evolving dynamics of fintech partnerships, the challenges posed by compliance and governance issues, and the erosion of consumer trust in the industry. From there, they talk about the impact of regulatory shifts, the growing complexity of state-level oversight, and the need for financial institutions to prioritize customer-centric solutions over self-serving strategies. Steven emphasizes the importance of addressing consumer needs, particularly in a volatile economic environment marked by inflation, unemployment, and a challenging job market. The discussion also delves into the exciting advancements in FinTech, particularly in commercial banking and payments. Steven highlights the rise of instant payments, driven by initiatives like FedNow, and the growing adoption of embedded payments, which are transforming both consumer-facing and back-office workflows. These “boring” but impactful innovations are enabling businesses to operate more efficiently and productively, signaling a shift in focus from consumer-centric fintech to B2B applications. The two also touch on the increasing involvement of credit unions and community banks in adopting these technologies, reflecting a broader market confidence in their reliability and utility. Looking ahead to 2026, the conversation turns to the transformative potential of AI in the financial sector. Steven predicts a shift from experimentation to real-world deployment of AI solutions, particularly by larger banks, while smaller institutions also find ways to participate. However, he foresees a growing consumer demand for authenticity and human interaction as AI becomes more pervasive. The episode concludes with a call for financial institutions to embrace true personalization, leveraging AI not just to anticipate customer needs but to proactively support them with tailored solutions. This, Steven argues, will be key to building trust and fostering meaningful relationships with the next generation of banking customers amidst a generational wealth transfer. More info: Beyond the Arc: https://beyondthearc.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-the-arc-inc-/ Steven Ramirez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramirezsj/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #Finovate #BeyondtheArc #Banking #CreditUnions #banks #yearinreview #digitalbanking #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #regulators #security #ai #personalization #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #innovation #startup

Fintech, innovation, and the credit union landscape – a conversation with the Chairman of the NCUA. Detailed Summary: In this episode, Kyle Hauptman, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), shares his insights on the evolving credit union landscape and the role of regulators in fostering innovation. Kyle reflects on his career journey from Wall Street bond trading to financial policy, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring credit unions remain competitive in a rapidly changing financial ecosystem. He highlights the importance of balancing innovation with safety and soundness, drawing lessons from past industry failures to stress the risks of inaction and the need for credit unions to adapt to new technologies. Kyle delves into the unique collaborative nature of credit unions, which often share innovations and best practices with one another, fostering a network effect that drives progress. He discusses the challenges innovators face when engaging with regulators, emphasizing the need for clear communication and guidance to avoid unnecessary roadblocks. Through anecdotes, such as the unintended consequences of a regulator’s offhand comment about Bitcoin being “risky,” Kyle illustrates the significant impact regulatory language and actions can have on innovation and decision-making within the financial sector. The conversation also explores the NCUA’s approach to digital assets and blockchain technology, with Kyle expressing pride in the agency’s positive guidance during his tenure. He underscores the importance of early, broad, and positive regulatory principles, drawing inspiration from the Clinton-Gore administration’s approach to the early internet. For fintech innovators looking to support credit unions, Kyle offers advice on engaging productively with regulators and navigating the unique dynamics of the credit union space. This episode provides valuable lessons for both innovators and regulators on fostering a forward-thinking, collaborative financial ecosystem. More info: NCUA: https://ncua.gov/ Kyle Hauptman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-hauptman-180191/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #Finovate #NCUA #CreditUnions #CU #digitalbanking #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #regulators #security #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #innovation #startup

Rapid growth as a community bank – Five Star’s strategies for using fintech to expand their customer. Detailed Summary: This episode of the Finovate Podcast features DJ Kurtze, Executive Vice President and Bay Area President of Five Star Bank, discussing the community bank’s impressive growth trajectory and unique positioning in the competitive San Francisco market. Five Star Bank is a $4.6 billion community bank headquartered in Rancho Cordova with nine branches and two administrative offices, serving real estate communities, small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, agriculture, and governmental entities. Founded 25 years ago by real estate developers Buzz Oates and Frank Ramos, the bank has maintained a remarkable 20% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years through organic growth strategies rather than acquisitions. Kurtze joined Five Star after the collapse of Signature Bank in March 2023, bringing his team over to capitalize on opportunities created by the banking sector disruptions involving SVB, First Republic, and Signature Bank. The conversation explores Five Star’s competitive advantages, which center on hiring exceptional senior bankers who understand their clients’ businesses and providing direct access to decision-makers with speed and certainty of execution. The bank positions itself as “technology first,” implementing advanced systems both for customer-facing services and internal operations. This technological focus, combined with their flat organizational structure and lack of legacy systems from acquisitions, allows them to operate at a 40% efficiency ratio and quickly implement customer feedback and new product offerings. The bank’s approach to fintech partnerships emphasizes working with vendors who have proven track records with financial institutions and can provide plug-and-play solutions compatible with existing core banking systems. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Five Star’s specialized approach to nonprofit banking, which requires understanding unique cash flows, funding structures, and the sophisticated needs of experienced C-suite executives and board members who often come from successful business backgrounds. The bank provides advanced fraud prevention tools, insured cash sweep products for higher FDIC insurance limits, and creative lending solutions including tax-exempt financing. Kurtze closes by highlighting how community banks have advantages in fraud prevention through personal relationships and direct banker-client communication, allowing them to identify unusual transactions and protect clients more effectively than larger institutions despite having smaller technology budgets. More info: Five Star Bank: https://www.fivestarbank.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-star-bank-california/ DJ Kurtze: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dj-kurtze-449b3934/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #Finovate #FiveStarBank #communitybank #nonprofitbanking #digitalbanking #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #bank #banks #security #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #innovation #startup #banking

Finovate Awards Winner InvestiFi on the changing investment landscape, consumer education, and bringing investment assets back to banks and CUs. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Kian Sarrestheh, co-founder and CEO of InvestiFi the 2025 Finovate Awards winner in the Best Alternative Investment Solution category. InvestiFi provides a digital investment platform specifically designed for banks and credit unions, allowing their customers to invest in stocks, ETFs, crypto, and roboadvisory portfolios directly from their checking or savings accounts without transferring money to third-party platforms. This innovative approach keeps deposits on the financial institution’s balance sheet while providing a seamless user experience that eliminates the friction of moving money between accounts. The conversation explores how consumer investment behavior is rapidly shifting toward third-party apps like Robinhood, Coinbase, and SoFi, with financial institutions losing between 5-10% of their deposits to these platforms. Kian explains that these fintech companies are expanding beyond investing into traditional banking services, including mortgages, checking accounts, and savings products, creating a significant competitive threat to community banks and credit unions. InvestiFi addresses this challenge by enabling financial institutions to offer comparable digital investment experiences while maintaining the customer relationship and deposit base within their own ecosystem. Looking toward the future, Sarrestheh predicts that banks and credit unions will ultimately prevail over third-party investment apps due to their physical presence, established community trust, and ability to provide in-person customer service when issues arise. He believes that financial institutions offering similar digital investment capabilities through platforms like InvestiFi will leverage their 150-year track record of resilience and local relationships to win back customers who have migrated to fintech alternatives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of consumer education and the value of maintaining that crucial primary financial institution relationship in an increasingly digital investment landscape. More info: Tenerity PrivacyGuard: https://investifi.co/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/investifi-cuso/ Kian Sarreshteh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/technologykian/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #Finovate #InvestiFi #FinovateAwards #investing #wealthmanagement #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #creditunions #banks #cryptocurrency #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #innovation #startup #banking