Building Financial Communities for America's Veterans with Tony Hernandez
In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar speaks with Tony Hernandez, President and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC). They discuss how DCUC advocates for credit unions serving military members and veterans across America.Tony explains how DCUC has expanded beyond its original mission of representing credit unions on military installations to now serving any credit union with veterans in their field of membership. He shares insights on current advocacy efforts to protect the credit union tax exemption and maintain the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) as an independent agency.The conversation highlights the critical connection between financial readiness and mission readiness for military personnel, emphasizing credit unions' vital role in serving veteran communities. Tony also details DCUC's recent initiative to bring together various credit union trade associations to create a unified front on key industry issues.
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1:16:30
Mindset Shifts for Financial Leaders with JR Lay
In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed JR Lay, Founder and CEO of the Digital Growth Institute. The episode explored Lay’s journey from punk rock musician to digital banking strategist and the lessons he learned along the way.DeTar and Lay discussed how financial institutions can move beyond a defensive mindset and embrace transformation as an ongoing evolution rather than a disruption. "Are you playing a game to win, or are you playing a game not to lose?" Lay asked, challenging leaders to rethink their approach to industry shifts.The conversation covered the role of mindset in adapting to rapid technological change, the importance of vision in leadership, and how AI is reshaping financial services. Lay also highlighted the need for continuous learning and adaptability in an era of digital acceleration.Tune in to hear how financial leaders can shift their perspective, leverage technology without fear, and develop a strategy that positions their institution for long-term success.
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1:17:08
Beyond ChatGPT: The Hidden Infrastructure Powering AI with JB Baker
On this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar spoke with JB Baker, VP of Products and Marketing at Scale Flux, about the often unseen infrastructure behind AI. They discussed the limitations of current technology and where improvements are needed to handle AI’s growth. JB highlighted the "memory wall," which limits data flow to processors, as a major hurdle.JB explained how this challenge requires innovation in areas like memory, storage, networking, and even cooling systems. He used a simple analogy of an irrigation system needing bigger pipes to support a growing field, representing the need for faster data delivery to power-hungry GPUs.The conversation also covered the environmental effects of rising energy demands. JB pointed out data centers' substantial energy consumption and the need for more efficient cooling methods. They explored the ripple effect of innovation, where advancements in one area, like energy production, can unlock progress in seemingly unrelated fields like AI.
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1:07:12
Community Impact: How Credit Unions Leverage Digital for Good with Tanis Bagby
In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar sat down with Tanis Bagby, Cash Management Officer at P1FCU, to discuss the power of community engagement in the digital age. Bagby shared her career journey at the credit union, highlighting the importance of building relationships with members. She discussed her role as host of P1FCU’s podcast, Making Sense of Money, emphasizing the value of providing financial education and support through relatable, long-form content.Bagby explained how the podcast aims to meet listeners where they are, offering practical advice on topics like budgeting, home buying, and financial planning. She stressed the importance of empathy and accessibility in financial conversations, especially in a digital-first world. Bagby also touched on the role of community partnerships and how they enhance the credit union's mission of serving members.The conversation explored the challenges of reaching younger audiences amidst competing financial marketing messages. Bagby and DeTar discussed the importance of credit unions actively engaging with youth and building trust through genuine, valuable content. They agreed that podcasts offer a unique opportunity to connect with audiences and foster deeper relationships.
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1:17:32
Building a Digital-First Credit Union Culture with Melanie Kennedy
On this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Melanie Kennedy, CEO of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union to discuss her credit union's journey to becoming a fully digital institution. This transition, planned before the pandemic, accelerated when COVID-19 forced widespread closures. She explained the operational efficiencies gained, the surprisingly positive member response, and the improved work-life balance for her team.Kennedy addressed the challenges of running a small credit union in a competitive landscape. She emphasized the importance of maximizing resources and embracing new technologies. She highlighted her credit union's use of AI for streamlining communications and creating an internal knowledge library for increased efficiency. Kennedy also touched upon the importance of maintaining member relationships in a digital-first environment, emphasizing communication through text, secure messaging, and phone calls.The conversation explored the evolving nature of member expectations and the adoption of digital tools. Kennedy and DeTar discussed the cultural shift towards digital banking, accelerated by the pandemic. They considered the future of digital banking and the need for credit unions to adapt to changing member needs.
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