Leaders in Lending Leaders in Lending

This week, host Matt Snow talks with Mike Shepard, Senior VP - Head of Consumer Lending Partnerships at U.S. Bank, about trends, best practices, and concerns within the world of home equity lending. 2022 was a strong year for the industry despite the upward trajectory of interest rates, and homeowners are continuing to leverage home equity for purposes like debt consolidation and home improvement projects. Still, the industry remains in flux — with regulatory developments, consumer sentiment, and tech advancements shaping the scope of best practices.

Leveraging his years of experience in the industry, as well as his role as chair of the Home Equity Lending Committee, Mike provides plenty of actionable insights for lenders and consumers alike.

Join Matt and Mike as they discuss:The main challenges of today’s home equity lending marketWhat factors are contributing to Matt’s sense of cautious optimism regarding home valuesThe vital role of collaboration within institutions like the Home Equity Lending Committee.How the uses of home equity funds have shifted over the years

AI is top of mind for most financial services organizations, but the question of, 'where to begin?' remains. Upstart's new AI in Financial Services Professional Certification course is designed to give banking professionals a firm grounding for the potential of AI in financial services —with a particular focus on credit—as well as practical tools to help them begin the journey of applying AI inside their organizations. 
 
This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Jeff Keltner, Startup Advisor at Upstart — and former “Leaders in Lending” host — to talk about Upstart’s AI in Financial Services Professional Certification course.

Discussed in this episode:
Why Upstart decided to develop the course — and who it’s forThe content and structure of the course modulesProcess of developing the course (from writing scripts to recording lessons)The importance of empowering financial services professionals with knowledge of AI tailored to their field
Register for the course, which is free for a limited time: https://live-upstart-ms.pantheonsite.io/ai-certification/

On today’s episode, host Matt Snow is joined by Melinda Zabritski, Sr. Director at Experian Automotive, and Mark Pregman, Head of Credit Operations at USAA. Whether due to rapid technological innovations (like the advent of electric vehicles) or economic factors (everything from lending rates to unemployment), the landscape of auto sales and lending is shifting more rapidly than ever. 

With their collective experience and expertise in lending and the auto market, Mark and Melinda are perfectly suited to help us make sense of this current moment — to give us a sense of where we may be heading.

Discussed this week:
Why concerns surrounding affordability persist, despite the rise in average loan amountsThe challenges hindering EV adoptionHow limited inventory impacts affects loan-to-value ratios and shapes consumer purchasing patternsGrowing delinquency rates, and what they may be attributed to

To reliably forecast what the future of finance the economy holds, you must be able to assess the current moment.

This week, host Lynn Sautter Beal speaks with Joseph Mayans, Chief Economist at Experian, who shares his economic and credit outlook for the year ahead in 2024, along with consumer credit trends and potential risk areas. 

Join us as we discuss:
Key factors shaping a more optimistic 2024 compared to 2023The dichotomy between a strong economy and labor market with slow credit growthConsumer spending and increased delinquenciesThe housing market and potential risks on the horizon

This week, hosts Lynn Sautter Beal and Matt Snow are joined by Kelvin Chen, Senior Executive VP, Head of Policy at the Consumer Bankers Association. Kelvin shares his assessment of the current landscape of financial regulation, innovation, and advocacy. As someone who has worked extensively in both the private and public sectors (including the CFPB), Kelvin has no shortage of expertise and what does (and doesn’t) make for an effective approach to financial regulation that centers the consumer experience and a need for innovation.

Join us as we discuss:
How politicization of financial regulation has affected the accuracy of facts presented by key playersThe broad impact of the recent Executive Order on AIWhy banks should ramp up their initiatives to educate the public and build trustThe current regulatory squeeze on regional banks

With periods of financial collapse and upheaval serving as the catalyst, movers and shakers in the world of digital finance solutions have navigated a host of challenges — all while tending to the concerns of regulators and the needs of consumers alike.  

This week, our host Lynn Sautter Beal is joined by Penny Lee, President and CEO at Financial Technology Association to break down all things fintech and how it intersects with regulatory changes, financial crises, and innovative product development. Penny brings a wealth of experience in (and hard-won knowledge about) politics, policy, and investing, which allows her to provide nuanced insights into how these realms impact one another.

Join Lynn and Penny as they discuss:
The benefits of fintech companies positively engaging with regulatorsWhy earned wage access plays such a large role in financial healthThe evolution of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products and services