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Our final batch of America's Credit Unions GAC coverage- Glen speaks with Ncontracts' Stephanie Lyon about the shifting yet inevitable regulatory/compliance landscape. Also- another Domino falls on Paze's roadmap, and Illinois' interchange debacle proves too geeky for prediction markets- but not for a punk rock reference. Links related to this episode: Ncontracts' blog: https://www.ncontracts.com/nsight-blog Stephanie Lyon via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lyon-8a9b6257/ Paze's addition of Citi and Domino's: https://www.digitaltransactions.net/dominos-and-payrange-add-the-paze-wallet-option/ Taft Law's PayTech practice: https://www.taftlaw.com/services/practices/paytech-and-payment-systems/ Our prior GAC coverage, featuring TruStage's Stablecoin and Glia https://www.big-fintech.com/stablecoins-and-ai-need-we-say-more/ and CUltivate AI/ ACU's Economics Team https://www.big-fintech.com/chicken-wings-not-sharp-elbows/ LAST CHANCE! Join us at CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants deem most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco- Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Continuing our Americas Credit Unions Government Affairs Conference coverage, Managing Director Brian Kaas discusses TruStage's new stablecoin designed specifically for credit unions, and CEO/Co-Founder Dan Michaeli shares data-driven insights from Glia's new Banking AI Benchmarks Report. Also- fintech's answer to the NBA Slam Dunk Competition. Links related to this episode: TruStage Stablecoin: https://www.trustage.com/business-solutions/stablecoin Glia's Banking AI Benchmarks Report: https://go.glia.com/banking-ai-benchmark-data-2026 CU Broadcast's segment recorded in DC with Glen, Anne Legg and Lou Grilli sharing their key GAC takeaways: https://www.cubroadcast.com/episodes/gac26-credit-union-industry-thought-leaders-share-their-top-gac-reflections Glen's November 2023 interview with Penny Finance Founder Crissi Cole: https://www.big-fintech.com/venturing-further-into-venturetech/ CU Broadcast's GAC interview with Penny Finance and Chimney Founders Crissi Cole and Chase Neinken: https://www.cubroadcast.com/episodes/gac26-what-arrays-acquisition-of-penny-and-chimney-mean-for-credit-unions-moving-forward Our prior episode featuring GAC interviews with CUltivate AI (purpose-built LLM for credit unions) and Americas Credit Unions' economics team: https://www.big-fintech.com/chicken-wings-not-sharp-elbows/ Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants deem most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco- Visit https://flow.page/cu-unplugged to learn more and register. Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday March 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions. This month we'll discuss key takeaways from the recent Government Affairs Conference. If you missed GAC it's a great chance to catch up. If you were there, compare notes with your colleagues. 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/in/glensarvady/

Our first batch of coverage from Americas Credit Unions' Government Affairs Conference features an interview with the three leaders behind CUltivate- the new credit union-owned and curated foundational AI engine- plus our annual meetup with the ACU Economics Team to discuss their take on the outlook for CUs and the US economy overall. Links related to this episode: CUltivate: https://getcultivate.ai/ Filene Research Institute: https://www.filene.org/ Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union: www.vfccu.org Vertice AI: www.verticeanalytics.ai OpenEvidence, the Mayo Clinic's purpose-built AI tool for healthcare professionals cited as a model my CUltivate: https://www.openevidence.com/ America's Credit Unions' Economic Update/Blogs: https://www.americascreditunions.org/blogs/americas-credit-unions/all-about-affordability Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants deem most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco- Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday March 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions. This month we'll discuss key takeaways from the recent Government Affairs Conference. If you missed GAC it's a great chance to catch up. If you were there, compare notes with your colleagues. 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/in/glensarvady/

Glen speaks with two Associate Professors- Anna-Leigh Stone (Samford University) and Jordan Van Rijn (University of Wisconsin) about the recent Credit Union Research Workshop and Stone's paper analyzing the impact of CUs acquiring banks. Also- KYC risks morphing into Know Your Citizenship. Links related to this episode: Anna-Leigh Stone: https://www.samford.edu/business/directory/Stone-Anna-Leigh Jordan Van Rijn: https://aae.wisc.edu/faculty/vanrijn/ The CU Research Workshop: https://sites.google.com/view/jordan-van-rijn/home/credit-union-research-workshop The Cato Institute on the proposed requirement for FIs to collect account holders' citizenship data: https://www.cato.org/blog/know-citizenship-says-trump-banks TruStage's announcement of its TSDA stablecoin for credit unions: https://www.trustage.com/newsroom/2026-press-releases/trustage-launches-stablecoin The CU Daily on the latest Alabama brushfire re: a CU acquiring a bank: https://thecudaily.com/bankers-use-latest-cu-purchase-of-bank-to-criticize-tax-exemption-americas-cus-says-claimes-are-lies/ Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants deem most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco- Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday March 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions 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/in/glensarvady/

Glen offers two more interviews from our continuing Finovate Europe coverage- a chat with GSMA Head of Industry Security Samantha Kight on the latest efforts to combat financial fraud on mobile devices, and the leaders of startup Hagbad unveil a savings circle app with echoes of credit unions' early days. Also- card interchange solidifies its role as America's misunderstood punching bag. Links related to this episode: Hagbad: https://hagbad.co.uk/ GSMA's Connected Fintech and Commerce page: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/industries/connected-fintech/ GSMA's Open Gateway financial API initiative: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/gsma-open-gateway/ Part 1 of our Finovate Europe coverage, including interviews with a pair of Best of Show winners: https://www.big-fintech.com/putting-an-accent-on-identity-code-modernization-and-fraud/ Finovate Europe demos are available for viewing: https://finovate.com//videos/?filtertype=&showtypes=FinovateEurope&videostartyear=2026&showletters=A-Z Our recent episode previewing GAC with Americas Credit Unions CEO Scott Simpson: https://www.big-fintech.com/small-businesses-big-policy-debates/ Jared Bernstein's proposed grocery affordability hack that pulls card interchange into the mix: https://econjared.substack.com/p/taking-a-stab-at-food-affordability Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco- Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen shares his takeaways from Finovate Europe, including interviews with two standout demoing companies- Tweezr and Keyless. Also- $15 billion becomes the new $10 billion, and Illinois' interchange glass looks less than half full. Links related to this episode: Tweezr: https://www.tweezr.io/ Keyless: https://keyless.io/ Finovate Europe: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ Payments Dive on the latest Interchange Fee Prohibition Act court ruling: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/judge-backs-illinois-law-on-card-fees/811924/ The CU Daily on proposed legislation to index the Durbin Amendment's $10 billion threshold: https://thecudaily.com/legislation-introduced-that-would-adjust-threshold-for-durbin-amendment-compliance-for-inflation/ Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This month's session will feature guest Brian Bodell, CEO of Movemint (formerly Digital Storefront). The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

America's Credit Unions CEO Scott Simpson reflects on his first 90 days in the role and offers a preview of March's Government Affairs Conference. Barlow Research Managing Partner Sandy Hanson shares new and unexpected insights on how SMBs prefer to engage with financial providers. Also- PayPal's plunge brings another of our 2025 BIGgo squares back into play, and an insider's uncommon take on FTX. Links related to this episode: America's Credit Unions: https://www.americascreditunions.org/ The Government Affairs Conference, March 1-5 in Washington DC- breakout sessions now announced: https://www.americascreditunions.org/events-training/conference/governmental-affairs-conference/breakout-sessions Barlow Research: https://barlowresearch.com/ Deluxe Exchange: https://www.deluxe.com/deluxe-exchange/ Yahoo Finance on PayPal's earnings miss and Elon Musk rumors: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/paypal-tanks-earnings-miss-could-165640023.html Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This month's session will feature guest Brian Bodell, CEO of Movemint (formerly Digital Storefront). The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen connects with Randy Salser to discuss his initial takeaways as NACUSO's new CEO, and why this April's Reimagine conference is a must-attend for credit unions as well as CUSOs. Also- Playing 3-D Chess with Trump Accounts, and a deep-pocketed twist on a de novo CU. Links related to this episode: NACUSO: https://www.nacuso.org/ NACUSO's Reimagine conference, April 27-30 at the Disney Yacht & Beach Club in Lake Buena Vista, FL: https://reimagine.nacuso.org/ Visa's initiative to enable cash back card rewards to be transferred directly to newborn Trump accounts: https://www.thestreet.com/economy/visas-new-trump-cash-back-move-shakes-up-credit-card-rewards The CU Daily's coverage of Aven's role in launching Haven Federal Credit Union: https://thecudaily.com/fintech-explains-why-its-donated-millions-to-get-new-cu-off-the-ground/ Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants most critical. The event is open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This month's session will feature remarks from Brian Bodell, CEO of Movemint (formerly Digital Storefront). 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/in/glensarvady/

Glen speaks with Karen Houghton, Co-Founder/CEO of Infinite Giving, about how to narrow the financial services gap facing nonprofit entities. Also- the latest on the Credit Card Competition Act and proposed 10% rate cap, and a new forum for tackling the real-time issues facing credit unions. Links related to this episode: Infinite Giving: https://www.infinitegiving.com/ Karen's book "Funding Your Mission": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/funding-your-mission-karen-houghton/1148818789 (Chapter 1 is available for free download at Infinite Giving's website) Financial Health Network CEO Jennifer Tescher's analysis of the proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7416861629826482176/ NerdWallet's take on the Credit Card Competition Act: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/what-to-expect-if-the-credit-card-competition-act-passes Last week's episode, featuring more detail on both CU Unplugged and the proposed 10% credit card rate cap: https://www.big-fintech.com/unplugged-unscripted-unfiltered/ Check out CU Unplugged, an unscripted, participant-powered gathering designed to foster unfiltered conversation on the topics participants deem most critical. Open to all credit union leaders, but the group will be kept intentionally small for maximum impact. Join us March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: Visit https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ to learn more and register. Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday February 18 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions 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/in/glensarvady/

John and Glen connect with Defense Credit Union Council CEO Tony Hernandez to discuss CU Unplugged, the interactive credit union "un-conference" debuting in late March in San Francisco. Also, Glen surveys the chaos and mixed messaging stemming from the proposed 10% cap on credit card interest. Links related to this episode: CU Unplugged, March 30 – April 2 at Visa's Market Support Center in San Francisco: https://www.cu-unplugged.com/ The Defense Credit Union Council: https://www.dcuc.org/ Last week's 2026 Predictions episode: https://www.big-fintech.com/2026-do-markets-still-hate-uncertainty/ Financial Health Network CEO Jennifer Tescher's analysis of the proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7416861629826482176/ Marketplace's coverage of the cap's likely impact, including an interview with Bankrate: https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/01/12/trumps-credit-cap-would-dramatically-cut-lending Another "explainer," this one with an MIT finance professor: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2026/01/21/trump-cap-credit-card-interest-debt Bilt's announcement of a credit card complying with the proposed cap: https://apnews.com/article/bilt-credit-card-interest-rate-cap-trump-1ffb0ffca260445858443beb3ac08eb2 Join us for our first CU Town Hall of 2026- Wednesday January 21 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. This session will tackle 2026 predictions in interactive form, covering additional ground including breaking news .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/in/glensarvady/