BIGcast

Best Innovation Group's John Best & 154 Advisors' Glen Sarvady

The fintech industry is evolving rapidly, and the BIGcast is here to delve into its impact on the credit union industry. Our esteemed guests from across the financial, technology and security sectors will provide thrilling perspectives on the latest fintech innovations that are poised to revolutionize the way we handle our finances. Each week join thought-leader, John Best and subject matter expert, Glen Sarvady as they take a quick dive into the financial industry's current breakthroughs and latest hot topics.

  1. 2 days ago

    Fintech South's Got Something to Say

    Recapping last week's Fintech South conference, Glen interviews founders of the three startups selected as Innovation Challenge finalists- Hussain Punjani of Agentix, Nyah Chapman of LUXE AI and John Patton of Street Charity- then asks you to guess which the judges chose for the grand prize. Also- Rich & Regular hosts Julien and Kiersten Saunders get real about everyday finances, and Spirit Airlines' data is worth how much to AI developers?!     Links related to this episode:   Agentix: https://agentixpay.ai/    LUXE AI: https://unlock.luxe/    Street Charity: https://streetcharity.org/    Rich & Regular: https://richandregular.com/  https://www.youtube.com/@richandregular    DM the Best Innovation Group's LinkedIn page to share your pick among these startups: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   Fintech South: https://www.fintechsouth.com/ For event highlights, photos, and updates for next year, follow @Fintech South on LinkedIn   A pair of stories about Google's bid to buy Spirit Airlines' data:  https://www.phocuswire.com/news/technology/what-googles-purchase-spirit-airlines-data-signals-travel  https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-court-delays-hearing-googles-purchase-spirit-airlines-data-union-objects-2026-08-19/     Last week's interview with Fintech Sandbox's Luke Timberlake: https://www.big-fintech.com/the-new-oil-fueling-the-fintech-sandbox/      Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their R&D budgets and collaborate on tangible solutions to the latest challenges. Learn more to see if you're a fit and if so, request a guest pass to an upcoming meeting: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    Fintech South's Got Something to Say

  2. 18 Aug

    The New Oil Fueling the Fintech Sandbox

    Glen connects with Fintech Sandbox Executive Director Lucas Timberlake to discuss the state of fintech investing- with and without AI- and to learn about his nonprofit's mission to bring critical financial data access to early stage fintechs.  Also- friends say that PayPal and Stripe are… "talking," and JD Power's credit card rankings have a K-shaped tilt- and an asterisk for Navy Federal.    Links related to this episode:   Fintech Sandbox: www.fintechsandbox.org    Boston Fintech Week: https://bostonfintechweek.org/    America's Credit Unions and the DCUC call on the FCC to rein in Caller ID spoofing: https://www.cutoday.info/site/Fresh-Today/Credit-Unions-Press-FCC-to-Crack-Down-On-Caller-ID-Spoofing    JD Power's Credit Card Satisfaction Study (scroll down for FI rankings): https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-u-s-credit-card-satisfaction-study/    TechCrunch on the ongoing PayPal/Stripe/Advent conversations: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/14/talks-to-sell-paypal-to-stripe-and-advent-are-heating-up/       Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. Our guest speaker will be Brian Ley, whose new venture VerifyDial takes a fresh approach to scam detection by deploying a 411-style national phone line free of charge to community FIs. The Town Hall is free to attend as well, but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion!  https://www.cutownhall.com/    Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their Learn more to see if this is for you and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    The New Oil Fueling the Fintech Sandbox

  3. 11 Aug

    Fintech's Always in Fashion

    Glen catches up with Finovate's Greg Palmer to preview September's NYC Demo Parade and the evolution in the startup ecosystem he's noted. Also- the Fiserv Follies extends its run, and how CLARITY and credit cards suddenly became tied at the hip.   Links related to this episode:   Finovate Fall, September 9-11 in New York City: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/    Use code BIG20 for a 20% discount on Finovate registration: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/purchase/select-package/?vip_code=BIG20    Our recent interview with CUltivate AI CEO (and Finovate rookie demoer) Anthony Volpe: https://www.big-fintech.com/can-credit-unions-collaborative-superpowers-extend-to-ai/    CU Today on Sens. Lummis and Moreno's sudden addition as CCCA sponsors: https://www.cutoday.info/THE-feature/Lummis-Moreno-Join-Credit-Card-Competition-Act-As-Interchange-Threat-Grows    Fiserv's Q2 earnings and fiscal 2026 outlook, in its own words and that of its hometown paper: https://investors.fiserv.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fiserv-reports-second-quarter-2026-results  https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2026/08/06/fiserv-reports-quarterly-earnings-miss-in-first-report-under-new-ceo/91194333007/      Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. Our guest speaker will be Brian Ley, whose new venture VerifyDial takes a fresh approach to scam detection by deploying a 411-style national phone line free of charge to community FIs. The Town Hall is free to attend as well, but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion!  https://www.cutownhall.com/    Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their R&D budgets and collaborate on tangible solutions to the latest challenges. Learn more to see if you're a fit and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    Fintech's Always in Fashion

  4. 5 Aug

    Attack of the Zombie SMBs!

    Glen speaks with Rapid Finance's Patrick Lord about Zombie Business Fraud and other threat vectors given a bump by AI. Also, Stripe ponders a big play in AI routing, and new Velera data reveals SMBs sending mixed messages to their multiple (banking) partners. Links related to this episode:   Rapid Finance (for FIs and other SMB lenders): https://enterprise.rapidfinance.com/    Rapid Finance (for SMBs): https://www.rapidfinance.com/    Patrick Lord's LinkedIn (he loves to talk fraud!): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lordpcarl/     Velera's SMB report: https://www.velera.com/insights/market-research/cu-growth-outlook-2026    Stripe's reported $10 billion level of interest in OpenRouter: https://www.wellesleyhillsfinancial.com/2026/08/02/stripes-10-billion-bet-on-the-ai-economy-why-openrouter-matters/    Which begs the question, "What about PayPal?": https://www.big-fintech.com/looking-for-the-x-factor-in-stripes-paypal-bid/    Fintech South, Tuesday August 18 at Truist Park in Atlanta: https://www.fintechsouth.com/  USE CODE BEYO15 for a 15% REGISTRATION DISCOUNT     Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. It's free to attend but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion!  https://www.cutownhall.com/    Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their Learn more to see if this is for you and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    Attack of the Zombie SMBs!

  5. 28 Jul

    A Master Class in Data and Trust

    Glen speaks with author and Finavator CEO Michelle Beyo about her forthcoming book, her takes on the power of data and "trust as the new currency," and her open banking sessions at August's Fintech South Conference. Also, US instant payment volumes spike (relatively speaking) and Samsung/Barclays aim to take a bite of the Apple. Links related to this episode:   Fintech South, Tuesday August 18 at Truist Park in Atlanta: https://www.fintechsouth.com/  USE CODE BEYO15 for a 15% REGISTRATION DISCOUNT   Michelle's forthcoming book: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Future-Finance-Reshaping-Economy/dp/1394402074/ref=sr_1_1    Michelle's podcast: "Step into the Future of Finance": https://open.spotify.com/show/6tfflOY52ClLkLxgJEJSmo?si=49ac079afb1845de&nd=1&dlsi=b67da683833b4461    Finavator: https://www.finavator.com/    Speaking of trust, here's our recent interview with Deidre Campbell on the Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.big-fintech.com/is-trust-now-the-most-precious-metal/    Fintech Futures on the Samsung's new credit card collab with Barclays: https://www.fintechfutures.com/partnerships/samsung-credit-card-us-launch-barclays    Glen's blog on PayPal's acquisition intrigue: https://www.big-fintech.com/looking-for-the-x-factor-in-stripes-paypal-bid/    Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. It's free to attend but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion!  https://www.cutownhall.com/    Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their Learn more to see if this is for you and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    A Master Class in Data and Trust

  6. 22 Jul

    Can Credit Unions' Collaborative Superpowers Extend to AI?

    Glen checks in with CUltivate co-founder Anthony Volpe for an update on his CUSO's progress in bringing practical AI to the back offices of a broad base of credit unions. Plus, ruminations on lesser covered aspects of the Stripe/PayPal intrigue. Links related to this episode:   CUltivate AI: https://getcultivate.ai/    Our interview with CUltivate's three founders immediately after its March launch at GAC: https://www.big-fintech.com/chicken-wings-not-sharp-elbows/    Glen's blog on PayPal's acquisition intrigue: https://www.big-fintech.com/looking-for-the-x-factor-in-stripes-paypal-bid/    Glen's blog on the latest Federal Reserve Payments data: https://www.big-fintech.com/christmas-in-july-the-fed-delivers-new-2024-payments-data/ Coming soon to a Wednesday near you: the CU Town Hall! https://www.cutownhall.com/      Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    Can Credit Unions' Collaborative Superpowers Extend to AI?

  7. 17 Jul

    The Unstable Stablecoin Landscape

    John and Glen discuss the latest maneuvers in the stablecoin world- particularly the newly announced Open USD initiative spearheaded by Bridge, bringing its parent company Stripe into the game. Is it a game changer or a press release destined for Libra-land? Also, new Fed data finds credit cards in overdrive.  Links related to this episode: Open Standard's Open USD announcement:   https://joinopenstandard.com/blog/introducing-open-usd Glen's blog on the newly released Fed payments data: https://www.big-fintech.com/christmas-in-july-the-fed-delivers-new-2024-payments-data/ Andreesen Horowitz's take on stablecoins' outlook  (from before the Open USD announcement: https://a16zcrypto.substack.com/p/why-stablecoins-wont-age-well     Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    The Unstable Stablecoin Landscape

  8. 30 Jun

    Is Trust Now the Most Precious Metal?

    Glen meets with Edelman Smithfield Managing Director Deidre Campbell to break down the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, the public's "retreat into insularity," and the resulting action items for banks and credit unions. Also- Illinois turns its focus to BNPL while JD Power highlights an FI opportunity, X Money broadens its reach, and the murky NCUA waters begin to clear.    Links related to this episode: Edelman Smithfield's Financial Services Trust Barometer: https://www.edelmansmithfield.com/2026-Edelman-Trust-Barometer-Key-Insights-for-Financial-Services Edelman's 2026 Global Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2026/trust-barometer Illinois' newly signed BNPL law: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/illinois-enacts-bnpl-law-pritzker-consumer-crypto/823835/ JD Power's Buy Now Pay Later customer satisfaction study (good news for FIs): https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-us-buy-now-pay-later-satisfaction-study PYMNTS.com on X Money's latest move toward general availability: https://www.pymnts.com/commerce/social-commerce/2026/x-opens-x-money-to-premium-subscribers-ahead-of-broader-launch  Mark your calendar to join the next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- our live and lively interactive monthly conversation where credit union leaders tackle the biggest issues facing the sector today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

    Is Trust Now the Most Precious Metal?
See All (100)

About

The fintech industry is evolving rapidly, and the BIGcast is here to delve into its impact on the credit union industry. Our esteemed guests from across the financial, technology and security sectors will provide thrilling perspectives on the latest fintech innovations that are poised to revolutionize the way we handle our finances. Each week join thought-leader, John Best and subject matter expert, Glen Sarvady as they take a quick dive into the financial industry's current breakthroughs and latest hot topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Best Innovation Group's John Best & 154 Advisors' Glen Sarvady
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2025, Best Innovation Group Inc., All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    BIGcast

You Might Also Like