Counting Change Ascent

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts ⁠Arjun Sahgal⁠ and ⁠Rachel Reid⁠ are joined by FinTech veteran ⁠Bryan Claggett⁠.

In part 2 of the Bryan Claggett episode, Claggett dives more in depth about the new expectations consumers have of banking and how the digital experience must be driven by customer centricity.

Whether you’re a banking professional or a FinTech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of financial technology.

In this episode of Counting Change, hosts Arjun Sahgal and Rachel Reid are joined by FinTech veteran Bryan Claggett.

Dive into Bryan’s journey from the 1980s banking sector to the forefront of digital banking and FinTech innovation. Explore the transformative power of the internet in banking, the challenges and opportunities facing modern banks and credit unions, and the importance of adapting to new technologies to meet customer needs.

Whether you’re a banking professional or a FinTech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of financial technology.

Join us on today's episode of Counting Change as we delve into Greg Mitchell's fascinating background and how he went from the Coast Guard to First Tech Fed CU.



The conversation covers topics related to creating a culture of empowerment, aligning team goals with institutional objectives, and balancing autonomy with accountability. It also delves into the impact of empowerment on decision-making, the importance of recognition and reward, and the value of self-actualization. Additionally, it explores the concept of 'Start with Why' and the significance of a clear purpose in building an organization.


Whether you're a finance enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about the dynamics of the financial landscape, this episode serves as a captivating exploration of how culture impacts a credit union, and the steps you can take to build up that culture. Join us as we celebrate the unsung heroes of finance and uncover the transformative potential of thinking small in a world of big banks.

In this insightful episode of "Counting Change," we are joined by special guest Theron McCollough, Managing Director at Citizens Private Bank. Theron brings a wealth of experience from his impressive career in banking and finance, including his time at First Republic Bank, and as the founder and CEO of a quantitative portfolio management system. Together, we explore the delicate balance between technology and human interaction in the banking industry.



Theron shares his thoughts on how technology can enhance customer service without losing the essential human touch. We discuss the evolving user experience, the importance of personalized customer service, and how to address the needs of different generations in the digital age. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on leveraging technology to improve banking while maintaining meaningful human connections.

In this episode of Counting Change, Arjun Sehgal and Rachel Reid interview Alice Stevens, the VP of consumer lending, product innovation, and credit analytics at VyStar Credit Union.



Alice discusses the various applications of AI, such as loan origination and personalized product offerings, and the importance of mitigating bias in AI models. She also touches on the challenges of integrating new software into existing tech stacks and the impact of accurate financial data on borrowers.



As AI and the regulations surrounding its use continue to evolve, tune into this episode of Counting Change to get some insight on ways that AI can help you stay competitive in today's modern world.

On this first bonus episode of Counting Change, we focus in on what Ascent is, interviewing a different member of our team each time to give you a 360° understanding of how Ascent is revolutionising banks and credit unions.

This episode, hosts Arjun Sehgal and Rachel Reid are joined by Glenn Fossella, Head of Customer at Ascent, to discuss what Ascent is and how it's innovating the banking experience through customer experience.

As Glenn explains, Ascent learns from every customer interaction to provide an increasingly personalized experience over time. This allows banks and credit unions to differentiate through superior customer experience.

Tune in for an insightful look at how Ascent is bringing technological innovation to community finance and revolutionizing customer journeys in banking.



Ascent is the next-generation point-of-sale platform that streamlines and simplifies product applications and forms across financial institutions without disrupting existing systems. It leverages third-party data to pre-fill applications, uses logic and rules for routing, and provides a user-friendly document collection portal.

https://ascentplatform.io/