Leaders in Lending

Latest Episodes:

Modern Differentiators: Exceptional Experience & Relationship Management Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

Throughout history, most financial institutions have viewed loans as commodity products. Pricing and distribution — the economics of the selling model — have been the primary differentiators when bringing loan products to market.
However, according to Richard Wada , Chief Lending Officer at Patelco Credit Union, there’s a huge opportunity to differentiate through exceptional experience, and more importantly, through strong relationship management throughout the borrower life cycle.
In this episode, he highlights why it’s such a powerful play.
We discuss:
- How solid relationship management can be a competitive advantage
- Promoting the financial health and well-being of members
- How referrals can drive deeper product engagement than traditional acquisition
- Having access to members versus self-directed engagement
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

Entering a Digital World Through Partnerships Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

It’s tough for smaller credit unions to compete in a digital transformation world. Most of the time, they just don’t have the IT budgets to play in that space.
But with the help of credit union service organizations, or CUSOs, and fintech partnerships, credit unions can close the gap in the digital divide.
In this episode, Drew Megrey, CEO of Ohio Teamsters Credit Union, shares how credit unions are adapting to a digital world.
We discuss:
- Why members prefer a personal touch
- How credit unions adapted to COVID
- Leaning on CUSOs for digitization
- Building effective partnerships for the future
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

How Credit Unions Can Prepare for a Successful Future Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

No matter how many shiny advertisements fintechs put out, it would be a mistake to confuse them for omens marking the end of traditional financial institutions like credit unions.
Credit unions have been building something for generations no fintech can compete with them on: trust.
Fintechs won’t replace credit unions — but the successful ones from both camps will partner with one another.
That’s something today’s guest, Dan Berger, President & CEO at NAFCU (National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions), is willing to bet on. Over his many years of experience working with credit unions, he’s learned the obstacles facing many — and how they can overcome them.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The current regulatory landscape for credit unions
- Why fintechs can’t capture the trust credit unions have built
- How partnering with fintechs enable credit unions to expand capabilities
- Why focusing on member needs is paramount to building trust
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

Fast, Easy, Simple: Improving Customer Experience in a Digital World Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

When it comes to the future of banking, the best service may be no service at all. In other words, the best service may be self-service.
Mark Pregmon, GM of Consumer Lending Line of Business at USAA, joins the show today to share his thoughts on why building things digitally requires a different way of thinking and why making processes fast, easy, and simple is the key to customer satisfaction.
At USAA, Mark is responsible for credit underwriting, core servicing, and default management for consumer lending products. USAA has been serving military families since 1922. The company’s goal is to be the military community’s provider of choice for insurance, banking, and financial products.
We discuss:
- Maintaining focus on the quality of digital experiences
- Meeting customer needs in a digital environment
- Trends in consumer lending products
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

The Rise of Cloud Core Banking Systems Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

In a digital world, legacy core banking systems just aren’t allowing banks to meet the demands of the modern customer. With the rise of digital banking, cloud core banking systems are entering the picture.
Tyler Craft, SVP, Head of VirtualBank & Fintech at First Horizon Bank, shares why his team decided to transition the VirtualBank brand to a cloud core system and how the lessons from that experiment are transferred across the larger First Horizon ecosystem.
Tyler heads VirtualBank, a digital-only division of First Horizon Bank. First Horizon Bank has been around since 1864 and its mission is to provide the best service to its customers, one opportunity at a time.
We discuss:
- The process of transitioning VirtualBank to cloud core
- Why VirtualBank remained a separate brand
- The thought process behind new products to VirtualBank
- Insight into a bank’s fintech strategy
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

The Modern Move Towards Experiential Banking w/ Jim Wechsler at WSFS Bank Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

With the shift to digital, people are coming into retail branches less often — but for more important things. Because of this transition, banks are making the switch to experiential banking — less focused on routine transactions and more on becoming trusted financial advisors.
In this episode, Jim Wechsler, Chief Retail Lending Officer at WSFS Bank, shares how his bank has been transitioning to this new model and why he thinks a fintech partnership makes sense.
Jim has been in banking for over 10 years. His main focus has been on consumer lending, fintech partnerships, and corporate strategy. WSFS Bank is the largest and longest-standing community bank in the Greater Delaware Valley. Their motto: We Stand For Service.
We discuss:
- Why partnerships between banks and fintechs can benefit everyone
- Transforming retail banking into experiential banking
- The value of focusing on the customer experience
- Investing in back end processes for a delivery transformation
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

How Fintech Partnerships Can Propel Consumer Lending Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

In modern banking, survival depends on meeting the needs of the modern consumer, whether that’s through digital transformation or through new products and services. But many banks don’t have the capabilities or the resources to manage that on their own. That’s where fintech partnerships can really help move the business forward.
In this episode, Barry Cooper, Chief Sales Officer at First Federal Bank of Kansas City, shares his insights into fintech partnerships and how they helped his company enter the unsecured consumer lending space.
Barry is an educator, innovator, marketer, and sales leader with a background in cybersecurity and technology before landing in banking. He oversees all lines of business and the go-to-market strategy in his current role. First Federal Bank of Kansas City was founded in 1934 and works primarily as a mortgage lender. It has 11 branches in the Greater Kansas City area.
We discuss:
- How the pandemic affected consumer lending offerings
- Implementation costs, process, and lending product strategy
- Gaining internal buy-in for fintech partnerships and partnership expectations
- How FFBKC originates loans digitally to acquire more borrowers
Link to Webinar Recording with resource materials https://info.upstart.com/ffbkc-webinar
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

Economic Inclusion: Developing a DEI Strategy Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

Banks and financial institutions play an integral role in the pursuit of true equality in America. By opening up new opportunities and increasing access to capital, they can build a more economically-inclusive world.
In this episode, Sui Lang Panoke, Sr. Vice President - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at Zions Bank, shares why DEI needs to be deeply integrated into your business strategy to be successful and sustainable.
Sui Lang has over two decades of experience fighting for social, racial, and economic justice in the political arena. In her current role, she’s in charge of developing a comprehensive DEI strategy focused on economic inclusion. Zions Bank is one of the oldest financial institutions in the Intermountain West. Dedicated to supporting economic development in the communities it serves, the bank offers a range of financial services across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.
We discuss:
- Establishing trust within a community
- How DEI contributes to a high-performance organization
- Advocating for a set of values to build economic inclusion
- Advice for your DEI strategy
Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:
- Believe in People by Charles Koch and Brian Hooks
- Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

Unsecured Lending: How AI Can Broaden Your Product Portfolio Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

Many mid-sized banks are struggling to find new asset classes and new opportunities to offer retail banking services. Unsecured lending has become a viable way for them to broaden their product portfolio on the credit side.
In this episode, Jim Matera, EVP/Chief Retail Banking Officer at Apple Bank, talks about how his firm got involved with unsecured lending and how technology is becoming the new driver of loyalty in banking.
Jim has been with Apple Bank for over 30 years. Currently, he is in charge of all aspects of retail banking customer delivery systems and services. Apple Bank is the second-largest state-chartered savings bank in New York with over $16 billion in assets. The bank offers a full range of retail banking services to individuals and businesses across the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland Counties.
We discuss:
- Pursuing unsecured lending through fintech partnerships
- Opportunities for new lending products
- Loyalty in a digital age
- Leading with lending over depository products
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

The Evolution of Credit Unions in a Digital World Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Credit unions maintain a distinct advantage over larger banks. As a community-based institution, they are well positioned to truly understand the unique financial needs of their members.
Now, with the proliferation of digital technologies, credit unions can continue to meet the evolving needs of their members — even if they’ve moved across the country.
In this episode, Barry Roach, President & CEO at WPCCU, talks about how credit unions are pivoting to meet the challenges and opportunities of a digital world.
Topics covered:
- What makes credit unions unique
- Gaps driving new kinds of lending
- The value of loyalty and how to maintain it
- The importance of data in decision making
Want more lending advice? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and here.
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Leaders in Lending in your favorite podcast player.

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