100 episodes

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.

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

    • Business
    • 4.7 • 15 Ratings

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.

    Rumors of Fintech Funding’s Demise Have Been Somewhat Exaggerated

    Rumors of Fintech Funding’s Demise Have Been Somewhat Exaggerated

    Glen speaks with Nick Evens, President/CEO of the Curql Collective, about the process of deploying over $300 million of additional credit union capital through its strategic investment fund. Also- keeping tabs on the startups potentially vying for some of that investment.  
     
    Links related to this episode:
     
    Curql Fund: https://www.curql.com/ 
    VentureTech, November 6-8 in Frisco, Texas: https://myventuretech.com/  
    Videos of company demos from Finovate Fall: https://finovate.com/videos/?filtertype=&showtypes=FinovateFall&videostartyear=2023&showletters=A-Z 
    TTV Capital: https://ttvcapital.com/ 
    BIG’s Innovation Club: https://www.big-fintech.com/Innovation-Club/Technology 
     
    Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ 
    Follow Glen on X @154Advisors
    Follow John on X @jbfintech

    • 36 min
    Battling for Eyeballs with the Big Boys

    Battling for Eyeballs with the Big Boys

    Part 2 of our Finovate recap features interviews with the founders of Best of Show winner Chimney and Top Emerging Fintech winner Union Credit. Also- Glen reveals his Best of Show ballot and the Credit Card Competition Act takes to the airwaves.
     
    Links related to this episode:
     
    Chimney: https://chimney.io/  
    Union Credit: https://www.unioncredit.app/  
    Finovate: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ 
    Last week’s episode, featuring interviews with CD Valet and Best of Show winner Wysh: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=finovates-window-into-an-evolving-landscape 
    Our August interview with True Digital: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=fintech-hotter-than-the-headlines 
    Glen’s Finovate recap for CUNA.org: https://news.cuna.org/articles/123055-generative-ai-deposit-gathering-are-hot-topics-at-finovate-fall 
    VentureTech, November 6-8 in Frisco, Texas: https://myventuretech.com/  
     
    Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ 
    Follow Glen on X @154Advisors
    Follow John on X @jbfintech

    • 38 min
    Finovate’s Window into an Evolving Landscape

    Finovate’s Window into an Evolving Landscape

    Glen’s annual recap of the 66 demos at Finovate Fall includes interviews with standouts Wysh and CD Valet, reflections on each of the six Best of Show winners, and observations on recurring themes across the agenda. Also, the unexpected return of Silicon Valley Bank.
     
    Links related to this episode:
     
    Finovate: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ 
    Wysh: https://www.wysh.com/ 
    CD Valet: https://cdvalet.com/ 
    Our 2022 interview with Best of Show winner Debbie: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-new-guard-takes-center-stage 
    Our April interview with Best of Show winner Mahalo Banking: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=big-ideas-fintech-madness-cuso-optional 
     
    Join us Wednesday September 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for the latest edition of the CU Digital Town Hall, a live, lively and interactive meeting of industry leaders sharing best practices on the top issues impacting the credit union movement. Moderated by John Best of BIG and Mike Lawson of CU Broadcast:  https://www.cutownhall.com/ (a replay will be available at the site after Sept 20)
    Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ 

    Follow Glen on X @154Advisors
    Follow John on X @jbfintech

    • 36 min
    Would You Like Logic with That?

    Would You Like Logic with That?

    John and Glen weigh in on a wide array of current topics- bringing AI to the drive-thru, connecting DragonCon to credit unions, and anticipating the new Elon Musk autobiography. Also, John still sees potential in digital twins and Allen Iverson sees a new career angle.  
     
    Links related to this episode:
     
    The Meaning of Life, according to Hardee’s: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fDswmVyDp20?app=desktop 

    How many calories?: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y4J3lrBSP-A?app=desktop 
    John’s Kickstarter for the Roamer’s Wrath board game:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jb1970/roamers-wrath 
    WSJ’s Excerpt from the forthcomoing Elon Musk biography on Twitter’s takeover (subscription required): https://www.wsj.com/tech/elon-musk-twitter-x-takeover-walter-isaacson-5f553fa 
    John’s interview with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak for TruStage’s Discovery2023 conference: https://events.trustage.com/discovery2023-on-demand 
     
    The DeLorean Motor Company’s Alpha5 EV model/”digital twin”: https://nftevening.com/delorean-is-back-iconic-car-maker-accepting-nft-reservations-for-the-alpha5-electric-car/ 
    Game Theory “In a DeLorean”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muWzEwCgPfk 
     
    Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ 
    Follow Glen on X @154Advisors
    Follow John on X @jbfintech

    • 35 min
    CU Relief for Ukraine

    CU Relief for Ukraine

    Glen speaks with Great Lakes Credit Union CEO Steven Bugg about a collaborative grassroots initiative to deliver relief to Ukrainian citizens, and how CUs nationwide can participate. Also- the only state that prohibits consumers from pumping their own gas passes a new law on…credit card surcharging. 
     
    Links related to this episode:
     
    The CU Relief Fund for Ukraine: https://curelieffundforukraine.com/ 
     
    Great Lakes Credit Union’s landing page for the CU Relief Fund: www.glcu.org/credit-union-relief-fund-for-ukraine/ 
     
    Our poignant 2022 interview with Antonio Murha of Ukrainian Self-Reliance Credit Union: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=credit-unions-financial-lifeline-to-ukraine 
     
    Coverage of Access Softek CEO Chris Doner’s 2022 visit to Ukraine: https://www.chicoer.com/2022/04/03/chico-man-boss-bring-aid-to-employees-in-ukraine/  
     
    Payments Dive’s reporting on New Jersey’s new card surcharging law: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/new-jersey-enacts-law-capping-surcharges/691578/ 
    “Bank of Dave” gets a US release!: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bank_of_dave 
     
    Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ 

    Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors
    Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

    • 28 min
    The CUNA/NAFCU Merger- An Inside View

    The CUNA/NAFCU Merger- An Inside View

    CUNA Board Vice-Chair and Cornerstone League CEO Caroline Willard shares her inside perspective on the pending CUNA/NAFCU merger. Also- Glen compares financial and grocery self-service, shares a new avenue for credit unions to aid Ukraine, and John checks an item off his bucket list.
     
    Links related to this episode:
     
    Caroline’s recent CU Insight article: https://www.cuinsight.com/building-a-stronger-state-and-federal-advocacy-machine/ 
     
    CUNA”s landing page for CUNA/NAFCU merger news: https://www.cuna.org/about/cuna-and-nafcu-merger.html 
     
    Cornerstone League: https://www.cornerstoneleague.coop/ 
     
    John’s interview with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak for TruStage’s Discovery2023 conference: https://events.trustage.com/discovery2023-on-demand 
     
    Trader Joe’s eschews self checkout: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/17/business/trader-joe-self-checkouts-cashier 
     
    The CU Relief Fund for Ukraine: https://curelieffundforukraine.com/ 
     
     
    Follow the Best Innovation Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ 
    Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors
    Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
15 Ratings

15 Ratings

oliviabaker13 ,

A fantastic listen!

If you’re looking to stay informed on the latest in an ever-evolving fintech landscape - you’ve come to the right place! John and Glen have such a great back and forth and their interviews are incredibly engaging (and can be pretty funny at times). Fantastic content, delivered in an easy to consume format, FOR FREE - can’t recommend BIGcast highly enough.

Money2020 attendee ,

Always a great listen, and always some thought provoking topics.

Great content. Insightful interviews with fintech leaders and innovators, and recap of financial news.

I don't rate ,

Great primmer...on well, everything!

Long time listener to the PodCast and first time review (sorry for the delay John). The BigCast does an excellent job providing a survey of financial institution needs and fintech solutions. Particular benefit is provided from the team’s leg work and recommended resources for further reading (or viewing in the case of Manuel Stagars). Keep them coming!

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