Consumers are managing inflation, but not the tools you're giving them

by Rich Edwards Sep 6, 2024

Consumers are managing inflation, but not the tools you're giving them

Survey results show the lagging performance of community FI's financial advice

Launching A Niche Digital Financial Brand with Rob Hoyle, CIO of Vantage West Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 33

by Rich Edwards Aug 30, 2024

Hanging up on phone calls

Why younger consumers are ghosting calls

Executing a Community Bank Turnaround with Dave Lamb of Oxford Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 32

by Rich Edwards Aug 23, 2024

The Increasing Scarcity of Trust

A rare but valuable trait

Navigating Change and Overcoming Resistance with James Robert Lay of the Digital Growth Institute

Behind the Vault Episode 31

by Rich Edwards Aug 16, 2024

Pressure on the Fed, CFPB takes aim at Chatbots, the 100-year CD

Eye on rate cuts, regulation coming for AI, how long can a CD be

Banking on Litigation: How Esquire Bank Found Its Niche in Plaintiff Law Firms with CEO Andrew Sagliocca

Behind the Vault Episode 30

by Rich Edwards Aug 9, 2024

Non-bank Credit Loss, Crowdstrike and Banks

Regulatory cover in expected loss, but put vulnerabilities at the base level of tech

Curiosity-Driven Financial Service with Kathy Jumper of Orange County's Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 29

by Rich Edwards Aug 2, 2024

Loan Modifications Surge: Echoes of 2009 in Today's Banking Landscape

Maryland targets gift card fraud, financial sector faces familiar challenges

How did a university credit union transform into a fintech powerhouse? With April Clobes of MSUFCU and The Reseda Group

Behind the Vault Episode 28

by Rich Edwards Jul 26, 2024

States and AML, Fintech Keeps Building

Treasury vs. FL, investors still long on fintech

Expanding into a new Metro with DJ Kurtze of Five Star Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 27

by Rich Edwards Jul 19, 2024

CRE Bond Losses Mount, Consumer Trends Surprisingly Upbeat

Defaults surge ahead of due dates, Where inflation hasn't dented spending

Strategies for Optimizing Channels with Chris Turnley of UFCU

Behind the Vault Episode 26

by Rich Edwards Jul 12, 2024

Loan Fraud Prosecutions and Hiding Restructured Loans

Failing CRE loans expose fraud, the repainting of TDRs obscures a growing risk

Strategies for Serving a Changing Community with Laura Worzella of OneAZ Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 25

by Rich Edwards Jul 5, 2024

Consumers get burned, and long live the American Empire

Fintech fails its consumers and partners, and hope for the country's future

The Problems and Opportunities in Distressed Commercial Real Estate with Greg Freedman, BH3 Management

Behind the Vault Episode 24

by Rich Edwards Jun 28, 2024

Top Priorities for Community Banks and Credit Unions in 2024

Two surveys show community FIs' common plans and the outliers that might be game-changers

Branching Out - Physical Expansion Strategy of Ascend Federal Credit Union w/ CEO Matt Jernigan

Behind the Vault Episode 23

by Rich Edwards Jun 21, 2024

Learning the Wrong Lesson at Wells Fargo

What do the latest firings tell us about balancing performance and compliance

The Legacy and Future of Economic Equality with Kevin Cohee of OneUnited Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 22

by Rich Edwards Jun 14, 2024

Is CRE about to Break, and the Big Bank Branch Facelift

Are NPL rates a leading indicator of trouble on the horizon, and mega banking efforts to look more local

Long Live Retail Banking with Elizabeth Magennis of ConnectOne

Behind the Vault Episode 21

by Rich Edwards Jun 7, 2024

Cooling Labor, AML Failure

BLS reports on jobs, DOJ slams TD for AML failures

Addressing Housing Inequity with Ziquora Banks of Verity Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 20

by Rich Edwards May 31, 2024

Big Banks Pressure Powell, Software is the new Headcount

The big 8 look to score a win with regulators, AI is pushing more labor costs into software purchases

The Unique Solutions of Community FIs

Behind the Vault Episode 19

by Rich Edwards May 24, 2024

BNPL Under the Microscope, Banking Spend on Digital

Focus on hidden lending, spending benchmarks on banking transformation

The Pressure on Community FIs

Behind the Vault Episode 18

by Rich Edwards May 17, 2024

Household Wealth, AI Scaling Problems

The impacts of Covid on household wealth, the issues when many things become easy

From Commercial to Consumer with Jonathan Encarnación of Community First Fund Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 17

by Rich Edwards May 10, 2024

The rising influence of stablecoins

As a proxy for USD, stablecoins are playing a bigger role as Treasury buyers and in payment transactions

The Financial Coaching Model for Growth and Retention with Bree Shellito of Ent Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 16

by Rich Edwards May 3, 2024

Digital Wallets, Muni Inequity

Fintech and partner bank margins in wallets, the role of bonds in community opportunity

Reinventing Member Experience with Carma Peter of Michigan Legacy Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 15

by Rich Edwards Apr 26, 2024

Branch Footprint, FedNow + Fintech, The New AI Worker

Retail branch decline slows, Fed looks to tech providers to spur realtime growth, how AI is merging software and labor markets

Catering to Unique Community Needs with Cathy Landtroop and Lubbock Smith of Vista Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 14

by Rich Edwards Apr 19, 2024

Fintech Partner Problems, Banking AI Readiness

A look at where it goes wrong as a banking partner, and two views of AI capabilities and who in banking is ahead putting it into action

Growing Credit Unions through Mergers with Geri Hopkins and Brett Fisher of Skyla Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 13

by Rich Edwards Apr 12, 2024

Card Fees, CDFI Referrals, the undeniable Ed Thorp

The latest settlement from issuers, big banks sending SMBs to CDFI, and what winning looks like at 91

Building Trust in Banking with Teri Williams of OneUnited Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 12

by Rich Edwards Apr 5, 2024

The Big Short on Mortgage Lender, Reward Card Economics

UWM under attack, where the money is for card issuers

Maximizing the Results of Community Impact Efforts with Ryan Harvey of Family Trust FCU

Behind the Vault Episode 11

by Rich Edwards Mar 29, 2024

CRE Risks at the Top, Courage and Trust

Where the commercial real estate impact is emerging, time-proven strategies to standing out as an organization

When Sustainability is the Mission w/ Lex Ford of Climate First Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 10

by Rich Edwards Mar 22, 2024

The Generative AI Impact on Banking

How banking practices are changing, and the impact here of EU's legislation

Community Lending in the Age of Dodd-Frank w/Miriam Mitchell of Addition Financial Credit Union

Behind the Vault Episode 9

by Rich Edwards Mar 15, 2024

Innovation's Reliance on CRE

A look at the linkage between square footage and power to the fastest-growing sectors of the economy

The Risks of an Aging Population to Community Financial Institutions w/ Gazi Kabas

Behind the Vault Episode 8

by Rich Edwards Mar 8, 2024

CFPB card fee ruling, Community FI growth

New Reg Z rules, the recent draw of community banks and credit unions, and the role fintech might play in future growth

When ownership is more than dividends w/ Peter Nelson of Glenwood State Bank

Behind the Vault Episode 7

by Rich Edwards Mar 1, 2024

Capital One - Discover Deal

Why the deal makes sense, holidays' impact on banking

Better Service and Less Cost through Digital w/ Amy McGraw of Tropical FCU

Behind the Vault Episode 6

by Rich Edwards Feb 23, 2024

Card Rate and AI Impact on Middle Class Work

Lower credit card rates at smaller FIs, addressing the labor crunch

Strategies for Growth that are Working Today with Gary Golden of BHCU

Behind the Vault Episode 5

by Rich Edwards Feb 16, 2024

Bank investment in AI, and new merger rules

Where the money is going for institutions and the OCC's new M&A proposal

Banking Customer Experience, Gaps and Blindspots w/ Mark Arnold

Behind the Vault Episode 4

by Rich Edwards Feb 9, 2024

Powell Speaks, NYCB Struggles

The Fed Chief's public comments, Regional Bank troubles

Winning the Acquisition game as a Community Bank with R.J. Grimshaw

Behind the Vault Episode 3

by Rich Edwards Feb 2, 2024

Data, Check Cashing, The World of Cards

A loud endorsement of the CFPB Data Rights proposal, alternate finance isn't always about the unbanked

Consumer Behavior and Payments w/ Gregg Margosian, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions

Behind the Vault Episode 2

by Rich Edwards Jan 26, 2024

Mixed results in 4Q, RTP rolls on

The contradictory takes on banking profits, The Clearing House commits to real-time payments

AI isn't one thing

The way to frame the AI opportunity for your institution

by Rich Edwards Jan 19, 2024

ACH and Invoicing, JPMC breaks records

Payments next opportunity, a massive year for biggest bank

Selecting Talent is Hard

The most challenging resource to source in 2024

by Rich Edwards Jan 12, 2024

The wind at banking's back, fraud in real-time payments

Accenture's hot take on tech and banking, fraud tools lacking in RT

How much does your service cost?

...and does cutting corners cost even more?

by Rich Edwards Jan 5, 2024

The CFPB's Focus, Where AI Breaks

A look ahead at consumer regulation, and the fragility of AI

Biz Help For You

The Power of Harmonizing Automation and Human Touch

by Rich Edwards Dec 22, 2023

The Island of Misfit News

A few things that fell between the cracks for community banking leaders' reading list

Top Community Banking Execs Concerns

What did community banking chiefs look at and say this year

by Rich Edwards Dec 15, 2023

Modern Checking and Parametric Insurance

History and modern problems of the lowly checking account, data created new financial services

PROFIT With A Plan

Personalizing Customer Interactions for Success

The Perils of Aging Depositors

An older base of customers brings additional issues

by Rich Edwards Dec 8, 2023

Payments, Supervision, and Marketing

More competition from fintech, struggling regulators, and what do you want from your marketing

The Dadpreneur Show

The Power of Data and AI

by Rich Edwards Dec 1, 2023

Can AI Be Made Safe?

A look at the leading ideas and what's being done

Banking on Experience Podcast

AI Simplified

Did MIT Get It Wrong?

Are the AI opportunities for banks really only in cost savings?

The Strenuous Life (of bankers)

Lessons for today from a century in the past

by Rich Edwards Nov 17, 2023

Card volume grows, Cash is king for Gen Z

A look at the trends in consumer payments, who and when is getting new checking accounts, and the Fed's surprising role in a debt ceiling crunch

The Greatest Story of Empathy Ever

A moment's interaction lasts a lifetime

by Rich Edwards Nov 10, 2023

Consumer Debt Rise, CFPB and Fintech, Banking Shenanigans

The growing consumer burden, fintech wins/losses with regulators, why banks close accounts

The Good and Bad News of AI and banking

The role it will play in your strategy

by Rich Edwards Nov 3, 2023

Commercial Real Estate drop off, JPMC vs. PE, Banking and Tech Valuation

CRE Hits the Breaks, Private Credit Comes to Banks, and the Gap in Banking Valuation

Measuring Steps

Optimizing experience only works with feedback

by Rich Edwards Oct 27, 2023

JPMC's Blockchain, Data Governance

Real-time settlement enters the mainstream, keeping watch on your assets

Risk and AI

Should you take a "wait and see" approach with AI at your community FI?

by Rich Edwards Oct 20, 2023

Open Banking Mandate, FedNow Status, PayPal on Apple Pay

Regulators force data rules, FedNow's uses beyond payment, fintech comes to Apply Pay

Differentiated Value is All that Matters

What only you can do is everything

by Rich Edwards Oct 13, 2023

Consumer Lending Worry, Mortgage Competition, FTX Software

The other lurking asset class, big move in mortgage origination, software equals strategy

The 10 Stars Experience

Imaging beyond the status quo for your customers

by Rich Edwards Oct 6, 2023

CFPB Funding, Private Credit Woes

The Supreme Court hearing and investors balk at PE fees

Why was today the day?

Understand why your customers seek you out

by Rich Edwards Sep 29, 2023

PE Expands Lending, Scam Sinks Bank

Private equity's growing loan book, and a cautionary tale in community banking

The Multifamily Real Estate Spector

The growing concern on banking balance sheets

by Rich Edwards Sep 22, 2023

Bank and Credit Union Mergers

Merger deals bounce up, Goldman blinks on their own deal, and CFO secrets on deal valuation

The LifeBlood Podcast

Utilizing 1st Party Data

Good, Better, Best, and what's the difference

Building empathy for your bank or credit union's customers is table stakes; what you do with that insight is what really counts

Strap on Your Boots

Why data, not AI, will determine tomorrow's winners

by Rich Edwards Sep 15, 2023

Banking Employee Retention, FedNow, and Gen AI vs Skills

Fighting bank employee flight, the slow take-up of real-time payments, and Gen AI levels the playing field

Your Valuable Data

AI and the growing utility of 1st party data

Predictable B2B Growth

How to Use Data And Personalization To Drive Growth in Financial Services

by Rich Edwards Sep 8, 2023

Real Estate Exposure, and Gen AI on Fintech

CRE woes and disrupting M&A

Gen AI is the next RPA

Automation moves upstream

by Rich Edwards Sep 1, 2023

Less risk, Less AI, and the Next Crisis

The FDIC proposes new capital rules, JP Morgan hits pause on Gen AI, and the next shoe to drop

Is now the time to move?

Taking advantage of opportunities

BIZ/DEV

The Slippery Slope of CEO Success

by Rich Edwards Aug 25, 2023

Data Liabilities, Assets, and Strategy

The essential two-edged sword of data in banking today

AI is About Empathy

The potential is more relevance vs. less cost

by Rich Edwards Aug 18, 2023

FDIC Talks Increases and SBA Opens to VCs

Agency signals rise in capital requirements, and SBA's SBIC program opens to venture funds

Customer Base Aging Out?

Comparing your growth versus your community

Who's Your Data with Gilad Barash

Banks Turned Data From a Regulatory Headache To Secret Weapon

by Rich Edwards Aug 11, 2023

CFPB Hamstrung, Credit Card History

The slowing of consumer protection, and where it started with plastic

Growing Revenue And Profit

Artificial intelligence, it’s impact on all businesses, and the lessons learned on making the leap to entrepreneurship mid-career

2 Steps To Improve Your Ads

A few easy steps to help you sharpen your institution's advertising

by Rich Edwards Aug 4, 2023

The Data Imperative and Dimon on Regulation

The business side of data and the view from atop JPMorgan

Dee Hock - Visionary

The early architect of global financial networks

by Rich Edwards Jul 28, 2023

Open banking, data disaster, and Fintech CEOs sound off

A glimpse into the week's news and your role in it

What Won't Change in 10 Years

Instead of guessing how banking might change, how will it stay the same?

by Rich Edwards Jul 21, 2023

Branches, Deposit Franchises, and Who Trusts You

Do branches make deposits stickier?

The Right Message at the Right Time

Customer behavior driven segmentation

by Rich Edwards Jul 13, 2023

Leadership, culture, and great work

Solving big problems with personal agency

Are your data driven?

Ensuring your competitive advantage for tomorrow

Mangtas Nation

Data as Your Competitive Edge

by Rich Edwards Jul 7, 2023

Banking-as-a-Service growth, Banking Technical Debt, and AI's Job-Killing Potential

Embedded finance on the rise, moving to the cloud for banks, and thinking about AI and the future of work

Working on the 5th of July, 2023

What to do this week

by Rich Edwards Jun 30, 2023

CRE Risk Concentration, Fintech's advantage, and Better Coaching

Big Banks vs. Community FIs in CRE Risk and Where Fintech Fails to Break the Mold

Navigating The Customer Experience

Personalization, Data And The Future Of Customer Engagement

Audience Creation for your Bank/Credit Union

When demographics won't cut it

by Rich Edwards Jun 23, 2023

Overdraft fee decline and AI vs. NPS

The rapid decline in NSF revenue, when automation ruins customer experience, and generative AI's leapfrogging potential

Data Activation: The Last Step in Personalized Banking

Where the rubber meets the road, taking action with your data

by Rich Edwards Jun 16, 2023

Are mergers going to pick up for banks?

The signals that consolidations may be coming for the banking sector

Aggregation - the second step to personalized banking

Connecting the dots in your data is the source of powerful insights

by Rich Edwards Jun 9, 2023

Generative AI for banks and Fintech for CFOs

Preparing for AI's impact on your business and embedded finance's growing role in business customer's lives

The first step to personalized banking

The foundation of all winning customer engagement strategies

by Rich Edwards Jun 2, 2023

Paper Money, Fintech Accountability, and Gen Z

Consumers holding cash, exposing the impact of Fintech, and how brands winning with Gen Z

The building blocks of personalized banking

The 3 things you need to provide the individual experience that beats the status quo

by Rich Edwards May 26, 2023

1Q23 Asset Retention, Bank Meme Stocks, and More From Greece

Community banking's winning quarter, shorting the regionals, getting fired in a coma

The Community Bank and Credit Union Opportunity

The hidden asset for community FIs

by Rich Edwards May 19, 2023

The AI scapegoat, Greece's debt rebirth, the Future

Capitalism's executioner, an international debt turnaround, and framing tomorrow

Channel Preference and Automated Fulfillment

Personalization is more than just a first name in an email

by Rich Edwards May 12, 2023

AI and Data, Applications in Banking, and Why Personalization

Why you have an advantage, the broader opportunity, and where to start

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

Navigating the AI Revolution in Finances

Personalization and AI

How businesses are betting and consumers reacting

by Rich Edwards May 5, 2023

Bank failures visualized, Charlie Munger on CRE risk, and AI categories

Stories just around the corner from the mainstream in community banking

by Rich Edwards May 3, 2023

Trusted Advisor

Are you an essential partner to your customers?

by Rich Edwards Apr 28, 2023

Neo-banks, disinformation, and an agency data breach

More stories from the edge of the news cycle for the week

Keeping customers

The quantified value of loyalty

by Rich Edwards Apr 21, 2023

Will Assets Flee to Large Banks?

Mixed early signs, but they will be clear in the next few weeks

When not to sell to your customers

Sometimes the answer isn't on the menu

by Rich Edwards Apr 14, 2023

SBA opens 7(a) to Fintech, CFPB eyes P2P

More competition in small business banking, Peer to Peer apps under scrutiny

The threat (and opportunity) of AI

When everything goes 10x faster

by Rich Edwards Apr 7, 2023

Maxing deposit insurance, investors and interest rates

Sweep accounts, brokered deposits, assets + rates, and how parking meters can be like banking software

Relevance Starts with Empathy

Walking in your customers' shoes as a competitive advantage

by Rich Edwards Mar 31, 2023

Perks in Payroll, Lifetime Value, SEO

Making payroll sexy, the value of lifetime value, and the insane concentration in the SEO market

Lifetime Value Points to Growth

How a customer centric strategy led to a profitable win for BBVA USA

by Rich Edwards Mar 24, 2023

Data on Trust in Banking

Consumer confidence in banks and a history of the modern banking world

Seeing Individuals in the Crowd

The information at your disposal is the key to winning and keeping your best customers

by Rich Edwards Mar 17, 2023

Other Takes on SVB

A journalist, a fintech exec, and a Nobel-winning economist walk into a bar...

Looking into the Future with Predictive Lifetime Value

Knowing what customers are likely to do in the future is a powerful tool for growth and efficiency

by Rich Edwards Mar 10, 2023

Ramping up regulatory pressure on fees, Silvergate calls it quits, consumers seek revenge

The CFPB war on fees marches on, analysis on Silvergate's collapse, and growing ire against poor customer experience

Retention - Putting the Time in Lifetime Value

Keeping a new customer is often more important than winning them in the first place as a competitive advantage

by Rich Edwards Mar 3, 2023

2022 Banking Performance and the CFPB in the News

Banking performance for 2022, where execs are worried, and all the commotion at the CFPB

Lifetime Value and Personalization

Looking at how your customers bank with you can be a easy path to personalizing your relationship with them

by Rich Edwards Feb 24, 2023

Debit card network deadline, inside the Wells Fargo scandal, and GA4 is coming for you

Trade groups petition the Fed for more time on debit network rules, the cost of the Wells scandal, and Google Analytics forces your hand

ChatGPT and Your Data

The rapid evolution and adoption of generative AI tools will make your data more valuable, if you handle it right

by Rich Edwards Feb 17, 2023

Putting Customers in the Center, and Payments Shakeup

The elements of customer-centricity in banking and a big strategy reversal in merchant services

To Cloud or Not To Cloud

For community financial institutions, federal agencies warn of both aging IT infrastructure and the risk of moving to cloud solutions. How to parse these seemingly opposite pressures

by Rich Edwards Feb 10, 2023

Community Banking Sentiment, and Owning the Channel

The pressure of interest rates on deposits and the trend in buying direct channels for brands

How Big is Your FI's Market, Part 3

After defining the specific market and who you will serve, it's time to figure out how to compete and stand out

by Rich Edwards Feb 3, 2023

Payments, Inflation, and AML

The latest in consumer payments, economists Krugman and Summers on inflation and Fed rates, and what does AML/KYC really do?

How Big is Your FI's Market, Part 2

Who you will serve is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a community bank or credit union

by Rich Edwards Jan 27, 2023

Banking Reads That Will Blow Your Hat Off

Even Wall Street gets the blues battling Fintech, the zen-like approach to becoming a data-driven executive, and pressure on AML warrants

How Big is Your FI's Market

There's "everyone" who could bank with your institution, but what portion of those are you able to reach and serve?

by Rich Edwards Jan 20, 2023

What we're reading - 01/20/23 Edition

Community banking marketing benchmarks, a new talent pool for banking, and the growing value of differentiation

Making It in 2023

Your organization's top goals for this year probably look very different than last year. Here are some concrete steps to help you get there

by Rich Edwards Jan 13, 2023

What we're reading - 01/13/23 Edition

The CFPB banking fee agenda revealed, marketing's confidence gap in personalization, and a potential shakeup in BI technology

Bringing a Gun to a Knife Fight

What can you bring to the competitive battlefield that large banks and fintechs can't or won't...

by Rich Edwards Jan 6, 2023

What we're reading - 01/06/23 Edition

Regulatory action at banks for fintech partnerships, the behind-the-scenes business of ATMs, and robbing your own bank account

When does real-time matter in banking marketing?

When does being relevant to your customers demand you listen and take action immediately

by Rich Edwards Dec 30, 2022

What we're reading - 12/30/22 Edition

A look back at 2022 for regulatory pressure on Fintech, trends in fees, and the web analytics problem for community FIs

What is Personalization? Practically?

So what does it mean in practice to add personalization to your customer experience?

by Rich Edwards Dec 23, 2022

What we're reading - 12/23/22 Edition

Research from the Fed on credit card profitability and branding insights from the comic book business

Digital Ready? (still)

Is your customer experience (still) working?

by Rich Edwards Dec 16, 2022

What we're reading - 12/16/22 Edition

The CFPB expands consumer data oversight to nonbanks and more consumer trends of 2022

Retargeting: Another Bite at the Apple

Retargeting can drive acquisition performance up and costs down, but 1st party data will make the difference from now on

by Rich Edwards Dec 9, 2022

What we're reading - 12/9/22 Edition

The fastest growing brand in P2P, fear and AI, and differences in homeownership by race, sex, and marital status

Community Banking and Small Business

The inextricable link between small business's contribution to the economy and community banking

by Rich Edwards Dec 2, 2022

What we're reading - 12/2/22 Edition

Replacing fee income in your NII, Gen Z sees brighter days ahead, and Fintech's use of rising interest rates to drive growth

1st Party Data, the key to community banking success

The increasingly valuable competitive asset that only you have

Open Banking, fast facts and why it's part of your future

A quick look at the players and themes for community banking

by Rich Edwards Nov 18, 2022

What we're reading - 11/18/22 Edition

The future of retail banking, customer data regulation ramps up, and the big picture on crypto

Time is running out on your customer analytics

Are you losing customer data? Today? Right now?

by Rich Edwards Nov 11, 2022

What we're reading - 11/11/22 Edition

FedNow fees announced, corporate data breaches can now have personal liability, and Fintech oversight is coming.

20 Questions

A few reflective questions about how well you know you're customer economics

by Rich Edwards Nov 4, 2022

What we're reading - 11/04/22 Edition

Fintech funding and employment are starting to drop, and an incredible story of average citizens stepping up for those in need

Context is King

The circumstances, place, and time are just as important as the message

by Rich Edwards Oct 28, 2022

What we're reading - 10/28/22 Edition

Latest trends in unbanked consumers, and stacking up in global financial inclusion

Data is Change

Being data driven is about change, anything else is vanity

by Rich Edwards Oct 21, 2022

What we're reading - 10/21/22 Edition

Fintechs sets their eyes on FedNow real-time payment access, when an entire banking system stops working, and where attribution should play in your marketing toolkit

Attribution, more than ROI

Understanding where your limited marketing $'s goes is worth more than just the return on your advertising

by Rich Edwards Oct 14, 2022

What we're reading - 10/14/22 Edition

Bernanke's Nobel, gender and financial health, and a new ATM threat

Trust can be much more about what you do than what you say

The importance of your customers' experience cannot be understated in your success

by Rich Edwards Oct 7, 2022

What we're reading - 10/07/22 Edition

CRA in the news, FedNow real-time payments, and the wholesale turnover of the marketing profession

by Rich Edwards Sep 30, 2022

What we're reading - 09/30/22 Edition

A look at the recent news and research on the role of women in banking and the workplace

Data vs Gut

The modern leader's dilemma of where to use the tons of data you have and where experience takes the lead

by Rich Edwards Sep 23, 2022

What we're reading - 09/23/22 Edition

A look at Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and what the future holds for this segment of consumer lending

The Power of Steps

Having a model of your customers' behavior is only as valuable as your ability to measure and validate it.

by Rich Edwards Sep 16, 2022

What we're reading - 09/16/22 Edition

Goldman's Apple Card hangover, JPMorgan's data achievement, and the path to discipline

Macro vs. Micro, Seeing the Detail

How to design and measure your customer experience can make or break your marketing effectiveness

by Rich Edwards Sep 9, 2022

What we're reading - 09/09/22 Edition

Embedded finance, what are branches for, and impacts of pressure on overdraft fees

Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
a path to success

Why this metric is key to winning, and how to use it to drive improvement

by Rich Edwards Sep 2, 2022

What we're reading - 09/02/22 Edition

Privacy, privacy, privacy, and how the tech companies get around barriers to it

by Rich Edwards Aug 31, 2022

To spreadsheet or not to spreadsheet

The bane of most marketers is the prep work required to really analyze customer data. Should you be spending so much time in spreadsheets?

by Rich Edwards Aug 26, 2022

What we're reading - 08/26/22 Edition

More regulatory action on banking fees, using data to drive better customer outcomes, and the discipline of focus

by Rich Edwards Aug 24, 2022

Dodd-Frank and the Growth in Fintech

The lasting effects of Dodd-Frank and the Durbin amendment for community banks and credit unions

by Rich Edwards Aug 19, 2022

What we're reading - 08/19/22 Edition

Another possible Durbin amendment, the future of social media acquisition channels, and a valuable data set from the Fed.

by Rich Edwards Aug 17, 2022

'Yeah, but there's like only 10 types of innovation'

A jumpstart to rethinking the future of your org

by Rich Edwards Aug 12, 2022

What we're reading - 08/012/22 Edition

Customer data driving strategy, the future of securitized lending, and Apple (re)enters the ad business

by Rich Edwards Aug 10, 2022

Who Wins in a Recession

What strategies during economic slowdown have market winners used to defend and grow their business?

by Rich Edwards Aug 5, 2022

What we're reading - 08/05/22 Edition

Branch vs. Digital and the overlap in strategy, what might an Apple bank account look like

by Rich Edwards Aug 3, 2022

The Dead End of Web Analytics

6 in 10 FI's are on a dead end with their customer analytics

by Rich Edwards Jul 29, 2022

What we're reading - 07/29/22 Edition

Google delays blocking of 3rd party cookies in Chrome, the scarcest quality of market leaders, and fintech funding hits the skids

by Rich Edwards Jul 27, 2022

Talking to Customers with Data

Do you sound the same across all your touchpoints?

by Rich Edwards Jul 22, 2022

What we're reading - 07/22/22 Edition

A deep dive into Stripe's growth into banking services, the limits of deposit insurance, and the yin and yang of commitment and detachment.

by Rich Edwards Jul 19, 2022

First party data driven ads and streaming

Ads ads everywhere, and not a cookie in sight

by Rich Edwards Jul 15, 2022

What we're reading - 07/15/22 Edition

The FTC lines up against tech's data practices, data on consumer trends, and the coming end of Google's Universal Analytics.

by Rich Edwards Jul 13, 2022

Stealing From Netflix

What Netflix's approach to strategy can teach banks today

by Rich Edwards Jul 8, 2022

What we're reading - 07/08/22 Edition

Chime's new CMO, 3rd Party Data under attack, and how ACH is undermining crypto.

by Rich Edwards Jul 6, 2022

What used to be better?

As a financial institution, how is your customers' expectations for you changing?

by Rich Edwards Jul 1, 2022

What we're reading - 07/01/22 Edition

The crumbling of the 3rd party data ecosystem, Meta and the CFPB, Apple's ATT play, and how it even effects national defense.

by Rich Edwards Jun 29, 2022

Time

With your customers, where is time scarce, and where is it abundant?

by Rich Edwards Jun 24, 2022

What we're reading - 06/24/22 Edition

The growing burden of medical debt, delays in SAFE banking regulation, and a practical approach to interviewing.

by Rich Edwards Jun 22, 2022

Broken Cookies

With Of all the competing priorities, where do you focus?

by Rich Edwards Jun 17, 2022

What we're reading - 06/17/22 Edition

Privacy regulations heats up in Congress, the new business of banks selling data to customers, and how unit economics can drive firm valuation

by Rich Edwards Jun 15, 2022

What do you major in?

Of all the competing priorities, where do you focus?

by Rich Edwards Jun 10, 2022

What we're reading - 06/10/22 Edition

How treatment of medical debt may alter credit ratings, what the yield says about the likely of a recession (or not), and Apple's expansion in embedded finance with BNPL.

by Rich Edwards Jun 8, 2022

Average is a Trap

When averages can steer you into dangerous waters

by Rich Edwards Jun 3, 2022

What we're reading - 06/03/22 Edition

The growing demand for personalized service, why personal efficiency is overrated, and what data really is and how is it useful

by Rich Edwards Jun 1, 2022

Where is the bottleneck in your Growth?

In developing your strategy and tactics, what limits your efforts?

by Rich Edwards May 27, 2022

What we're reading - 05/27/22 Edition

Banking satisfaction, customer service and personalization, and a founder's story worth reading

by Rich Edwards May 25, 2022

What Your Marketing is Really Worth

What is the real value of attracting and keeping customers?

by Rich Edwards May 20, 2022

What we're reading - 05/20/22 Edition

The difficulty of personalized customer experience, a new bank in Houston, and an investigative report into credit card fraud and bank liability.

by Rich Edwards May 18, 2022

Treat People Different (not like that)

Everyone isn't your customers

by Rich Edwards May 13, 2022

What we're reading - 05/13/22 Edition

Embedded finance, getting your customers' perspective, and fintech's campaign against regulation.

by Rich Edwards May 10, 2022

Do you standout from the crowd? Really standout?

Differentiating as an FI is more than the size of your marketing budget

by Rich Edwards May 6, 2022

What we're reading - 05/06/22 Edition

Capgemini's World Banking Report, the rise of customer experience, and the CMO's role in delivering that.

by Rich Edwards May 4, 2022

How Many Tools in Your Martech Stack?

With more functionality and options in marketing technology, comes more complexity and interoperability challenges

by Rich Edwards Apr 29, 2022

What we're reading - 04/29/22 Edition

The lasting effects of the Durbin amendment for FI's and personalization in customer relationship growth

by Rich Edwards Apr 27, 2022

Acquisition Questions

A progressive set of questions to ask to get real insight into your acquisition and retention results

by Rich Edwards Apr 22, 2022

What we're reading - 04/22/22 Edition

New enablement for Fintech startups, who's buying what tech startup, and the newly emerging role for CMO and marketing leads

by Rich Edwards Apr 20, 2022

Martech Sprawl

With more of you budget going into marketing technology, are you getting a return on that investment

by Rich Edwards Apr 15, 2022

What we're reading - 04/15/22 Edition

Facebook is back at payments, brand marketing lessons from Chinese retailers, and the real value of data

by Rich Edwards Apr 13, 2022

Context and ignoring zero party data to annoy your customers

Don't forget to use what you know in order to delight your customers

by Rich Edwards Apr 8, 2022

What we're reading - 04/08/22 Edition

PenFed and personalization, a banking trend report worth reading, and understanding niche banking customers

by Rich Edwards Apr 6, 2022

The Connective Tissue of your Institution

How data can bring it all together for your customers

by Rich Edwards Mar 31, 2022

What we're reading - 04/01/22 Edition

PwC's 2021 Digital Banking Survey, the growing imperative for personalization, and the strategy of affinity of Fintechs

by Rich Edwards Mar 30, 2022

Personalization and Competitiveness

Staying ahead by staying close to your customers

by Rich Edwards Mar 25, 2022

What we're reading - 03/25/22 Edition

Amazon's strategy and acquisitions and how it may or may not be building a bank, Apple steps up payment offering, and the FTC's approach to algorithms built from illegal data

by Rich Edwards Mar 23, 2022

Holistic (and we're not talking essential oils)

Seeing the whole picture of your customers

by Rich Edwards Mar 17, 2022

What we're reading - 03/18/22 Edition

Debt collection as an entry into embedded finance for Fintech, the top M&A deals in banking, and a practical guide to A/B testing in your messaging

by Rich Edwards Mar 16, 2022

Soliciting Feedback and Zero Party Data in Community Banking

The low hanging fruit of understanding your customers

by Rich Edwards Mar 11, 2022

What we're reading - 03/11/22 Edition

Customer review best practices, Uber's movement to super app, and First Principles

by Rich Edwards Mar 8, 2022

Where does your institution stand out?

Are you the essential partner to your customers?

by Rich Edwards Mar 4, 2022

What we're reading - 03/04/22 Edition

H&R Block dive (back) into deposit banking and Gartner's predictions on the most promising customer acquistions technologies in digital marketing

by Rich Edwards Mar 2, 2022

The Dark Funnel

The dark funnel and why you don't even get a shot at most potential customers

by Rich Edwards Feb 25, 2022

What we're reading - 02/25/22 Edition

The trouble with SMB banking clients and lessons in scaling marketing from Airtable

by Rich Edwards Feb 23, 2022

Divergence

What factors will make the difference for banks

by Rich Edwards Feb 18, 2022

What we're reading - 02/18/22 Edition

When is a payment transaction permanent and community banking's readiness to compete is a data rich and AI driven market

by Rich Edwards Feb 15, 2022

Digital Ready?

Is your customer experience working?

by Rich Edwards Feb 11, 2022

What we're reading - 02/10/22 Edition

The Fed and Fintechs, Apple's fight with Facebook and your advertising budget

by Rich Edwards Feb 9, 2022

Bigger Isn't Always Better

Why M&A may not be the best way to get ahead

by Rich Edwards Feb 4, 2022

What we're reading - 02/04/22 Edition

Fintech drives VC boom in '21, BNPL and credit reporting

by Rich Edwards Feb 2, 2022

The Great Pile of Money

How early stage venture is making your job harder

by Rich Edwards Jan 28, 2022

What we're reading - 01/28/22 Edition

Walmart buys more fintech, 7 pitfall to avoid with your brand, P2P for small FI's

by Rich Edwards Jan 26, 2022

Friction

considering your customer experience and where there's friction; it's more than just DAO

by Rich Edwards Jan 21, 2022

What we're reading - 01/21/22 Edition

Growth in US deposit accounts targeted at the unbanked, getting more money for marketing, and change management models to help you lead

by Rich Edwards Jan 19, 2022

Who It's For

Finding customers that fit the ideal profile of who you serve isn't like finding a needle in a haystack; it's finding a needle in a pile of other needles.

by Rich Edwards Jan 14, 2022

What we're reading - 01/14/22 Edition

Analytics as a core influence, CSFB kicks the can on financial data, and coaching as a manager

by Rich Edwards Jan 11, 2022

What Makes You Different?

What really makes you stand out to your clients?

by Rich Edwards Jan 7, 2022

What we're reading - 01/07/22 Edition

Personalization is worth an opt-in, and Fintech tops the charts in '21

by Rich Edwards Jan 5, 2022

Personal

Dear *|FNAME|*, making it personal, not personalized

by Rich Edwards Dec 16, 2021

What we're reading - 12/17/21 Edition

Putting a Spine in Your Strategy, and Treating Your Customers Like They Have a Pulse

by Rich Edwards Dec 9, 2021

What we're reading - 12/10/21 Edition

Fraud in Payments, Fintech predicts the decline of traditional banking, and Digital Superpowers

by Rich Edwards Dec 3, 2021

What we're reading - 12/03/21 Edition

McKinsey draws a bright line between future growth and decline for banks

by Rich Edwards Nov 18, 2021

What we're reading - 11/19/21 Edition

Payments, Amazon's partnership with Venmo, and Digital Superpowers

by Rich Edwards Nov 11, 2021

What your own data can tell you about your market

Analytics, machine learning, and other buzz words abound in strategy and customer insight, but what can you realistically expect to learn from your own customer data.

by Rich Edwards Nov 5, 2021

What we're reading - 11/05/21 Edition

What innovation theory can tell us about tech today, the opportunity for it in consumer banking,

by Rich Edwards Oct 29, 2021

What we're reading - 10/29/21 Edition

The state of fintech investment, Plaid gets into payments, and payments in general grows

by Rich Edwards Aug 1, 2021

CashApp and the Threat to Community Banking

In less than 9 years, CashApp became the 2nd largest consumer finance app in the world. But like many other Fintech apps, that growth exposes weaknesses that community banking can use their advantage.

by Rich Edwards Mar 3, 2021

Growth Opportunities for Community Banks

Mark Arnold shares his insights and where community banks are missing opportunities for growth.

by Rich Edwards Nov 1, 2020

Data Governance and Why It's Critical to Your Business Strategy

David Marco of EWSolutions shares the importance and best approaches to Data Governance and leveraging your company's data.

by Rich Edwards Oct 21, 2020

Making A Mid-Career Shift in Your Career with TGCS's CTO Gregg Margosian

Gregg Margosian of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions talks about making a career shift from technology to business.

by Rich Edwards Oct 1, 2020

Best Practices for an 'Open Business' with Axway's CTO Vince Padua

Vince Padua of Axway shares insights on making your business 'Open' and ready to accelerate your digital innovation strategy.