Banking on Digital Growth

James Robert Lay
  • 5.0 (28)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

If you’re part of a financial brand marketing, sales, or leadership team, you know the entire industry is in the midst of exponential change fueled by new technologies. Consumers now make purchase decisions long before they walk into a physical branch location, if they walk into a branch at all, while mobile banks, digital lenders, and fintechs have transformed traditional growth models rooted in legacy broadcast marketing and branch sales strategies.Get ready to gain practical insights, proven ideas, and empowering inspiration as financial brand marketing and sales leaders, along with the leading digital marketing and sales technology firms, share their stories to help you maximize your digital growth potential here on Banking on Digital Growth. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. 4D AGO

    474) CUs and banks, your problem is strategy, not technology

    In this episode, I sit down with Joe Colca, founder of Forge Clarity, to talk about a challenge credit unions and banks keep running into as they try to compete with digital-first players. Most people frame this as a technology problem. Joe and I don’t see it that way.With more than 26 years of experience at organizations like Vanguard, Citi, and VyStar Credit Union, Joe shares why the real issue isn’t a lack of technology, it’s a lack of strategic clarity. We dig into why many financial institutions struggle to deliver strong digital experiences, how the Innovator’s Dilemma applies to banking today, and what leaders should be thinking about as AI, fintech partnerships, and new operating models reshape the industry. Listen to learn why strategy, not technology, is the real bottleneck for digital transformation, and what banks and credit unions can do to position themselves for the future.00:00 Welcome back and episode introduction01:00 Introducing Joe Colca and his background in financial services05:00 Joe’s career journey from Vanguard to Citi to VyStar10:30 The Innovator’s Dilemma and its relevance to banking today14:30 Branch-based vs. branchless banking models18:00 Why digital transformation feels so hard for credit unions22:30 Technology upgrades vs. meeting member expectations27:30 Fintech partnerships and the build vs. buy decision33:00 Can banks successfully be both branch-based and digital-first?38:00 Strategy problems vs. technology problems43:30 Spinoff digital banks as a potential solution50:00 Real-world examples of credit union digital spinoffs56:00 The impact of AI on the future of banking experiences01:01:30 What Forge Clarity does and who it helps01:06:30 One action leaders should take right now: strategic clarity01:09:00 Final thoughts and wrap-up Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    1h 10m

  2. 12/04/2025

    473) Can credit unions and banks leapfrog fintech? AI-first is their best shot.

    AI is going to revolutionize banking. Credit unions and banks are already being disrupted by fintechs, now AI is either going to accelerate their demise or give them a chance to leapfrog their disruptors. The choice is theirs. In this episode, I (Derik Krauss) am joined by my co-founder, Ryan Harmon, to unpack how AI could disrupt UI-based fintechs and open up new opportunities for community banks and credit unions. We discuss The Innovator's Dilemma, the benefits of launching AI-first spinoffs, and how future financial institutions might operate without traditional mobile apps or online banking. 00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode 01:11 AI's Potential in Banking and Financial Institutions 03:53 The Innovator's Dilemma in Banking 05:59 The Shift from Physical Branches to Digital Banking 11:37 AI as the Next Disruptive Innovation 17:02 The Future of AI-Driven Financial Services 23:04 AI Integration in Everyday Life 29:50 The Role of AI in Financial Decision Making 31:35 Blockchain and AI: Revolutionizing Banking 33:25 AI-First Experience: The Future of User Interfaces 35:48 Cost Efficiency in AI-Driven Banking 39:08 OpenAI's App Store: A New Frontier 40:31 Challenges and Opportunities for Credit Unions 42:58 The Innovator's Dilemma: Embracing Disruptive Innovation 46:49 Launching Spinoffs: A Strategy for Transformation 49:00 The Future of Banking: AI-First Spinoffs 50:03 Legacy Institutions and Modern Challenges 01:00:35 The Role of Marketing in Credit Union Transformation 01:03:01 AI's Impact on the Banking Industry 01:05:47 Conclusion: Embracing AI for Future Success Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    1h 8m

  3. 11/25/2025

    472) How agentic AI will transform banking UX

    Hey, this is Derik. I recently tried using ChatGPT's Agent Mode to make transfers between my personal bank accounts. I didn't get the outcome I was hoping for, but that's not because AI isn't capable of doing it. In fact, it's more than capable of doing that and other banking tasks, especially if there is a human in the loop. In this episode, my co-founder, Ryan Harmon, and I show and tell what agentic AI is capable of doing and how it's going to transform the banking user experience. Listen to learn how AI is reshaping the future of banking and what opportunities lie ahead for individuals and financial institutions. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    1h 3m

  4. 11/06/2025

    471) JR's journey: autoimmune condition, the next decade, and seeking truth

    For the first time, JR is a guest on the podcast he started. Join me, Derik Krauss, as I debut as the new host of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast. In this episode, I interview JR and we talk about challenges he has overcome, including facing an autoimmune condition, as well as his plans for the next decade. What we unpacked in this conversation is truly thought-provoking. It has led me to reflect on what has happened in my life over the last decade and what I want for the next 10 years. Not only is this type of reflection valuable personally, but it can also lead to true transformation for your credit union or bank. As JR says, all change starts with learning truth and seeing things differently. What "truth gaps" are holding back your financial institution? Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    47 min

  5. 08/07/2025

    470) How to Turn Your Bank’s Website into a Loan & Deposit Magnet

    Most community banks and credit unions have websites that look decent—but they’re just glorified brochures. They’re not bringing in loans, deposits, or meaningful customer engagement. That’s a big problem. Because every day your site doesn’t convert, you’re losing potential revenue to competitors who’ve figured out how to make their digital presence work for them. A static, underperforming site isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a liability. In this episode, James Robert and Derik talk about how to flip the script and turn your website into a true sales engine. You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    52 min

  6. 07/29/2025

    469) The Rise of AI Agents: What Financial Brands Must Do in the Next 90 Days

    AI agents aren’t coming—they’re already here. And they’re about to reshape how people search, shop, and apply for financial products. In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, host James Robert Lay is joined by co-host Derik Krauss to unpack the fast-moving shift from generative AI to autonomous AI agents—and why this change is happening faster than most financial brand leaders realize. We explore what AI agents actually are, how they differ from GenAI, and why your brand’s current visibility in Google Search might not mean squat in an AI-powered world. From OpenAI’s new Agent Mode to Semrush’s bombshell research on AI search behavior, we dive deep into how machines are now completing tasks that were once human-only—and what that means for your marketing, UX, and growth strategy moving forward. Because in the age of AI agents, one year of inaction could cost you a decade of relevance. You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    38 min

  7. 07/23/2025

    468) AI Search Is Here: Why Google’s Reign Is Ending Sooner Than You Think

    Traditional SEO is dying—and AI search is taking its place. In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, host James Robert Lay and co-host Derik Krauss dive into the seismic shift in how people search, shop, and make financial decisions online. With research from Semrush and Ahrefs predicting that AI-driven search will surpass Google by 2028—or even sooner—this isn’t just a trend. It’s a warning. Financial brands that rely heavily on Google and PPC are at risk of becoming invisible in the new AI-first search landscape. Why does this matter? Because behavior is shifting fast, and many institutions are lagging behind without realizing it. JR and Derik share what your financial brand must do now to prepare. From measuring your AI visibility to understanding what content actually gets you found in ChatGPT responses, this episode is a blueprint for staying competitive—and staying seen. You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    40 min

  8. 07/15/2025

    467) Are You Dying, Surviving, or Thriving? A Wake-Up Call for Financial Brands

    Are you dying, surviving, or thriving? In a rapidly evolving age of AI and fintech disruption, the real threat isn’t competition—it’s complacency. Too many banks and credit unions are stuck in survival mode, reacting to problems instead of creating possibilities. The conversation digs deep into the mindset shifts needed to break free from defensive, fear-based thinking. James Robert and Derik explore personal stories of transformation, the impact of strategic clarity, and how the most growth-bound institutions today are those with leaders willing to take bold, courageous action. They unpack why thriving starts with leading yourself—and how 10x thinking can unlock future-focused innovation that’s no longer optional. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step, this episode will challenge your perspective and offer a clear path forward: Think bigger. Lead bolder. Grow faster. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    53 min
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5
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

If you’re part of a financial brand marketing, sales, or leadership team, you know the entire industry is in the midst of exponential change fueled by new technologies. Consumers now make purchase decisions long before they walk into a physical branch location, if they walk into a branch at all, while mobile banks, digital lenders, and fintechs have transformed traditional growth models rooted in legacy broadcast marketing and branch sales strategies.Get ready to gain practical insights, proven ideas, and empowering inspiration as financial brand marketing and sales leaders, along with the leading digital marketing and sales technology firms, share their stories to help you maximize your digital growth potential here on Banking on Digital Growth. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    James Robert Lay
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    485
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Banking on Digital Growth

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