

BIGcast
Best Innovation Group's John Best & 154 Advisors' Glen Sarvady
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 48min
An Important Part of a Balanced Fintech Strategy
Blesson Abraham, Co-founder and CEO of Aviary AI, and Danial Jameel, Founder and CEO of Saris AI, dive into the transformative role of AI within fintech. They discuss how their companies are enhancing financial services for institutions, improving member engagement, and increasing operational efficiency. The conversation reveals unique insights from the VentureTech conference, highlighting the importance of consumer education and the shift toward B2B models in financial technology. Expect some entertaining anecdotes and a sneak peek into the future of AI in finance!

Nov 26, 2024 • 44min
A Credit Union/Fintech Thanksgiving
Continuing our annual tradition, John and Glen glide through a fintech wonderland with Anne Legg (Thrive Strategic Services) and John Janclaes (Nymbus CUSO), sharing thoughts on things they're thankful for across our collaborative community- from the expected (AI, the innovative spirit) to the counter-intuitive (fraud levels, fintech funding). Links related to this episode: THRIVE Strategic Services: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/ Nymbus CUSO: https://www.nymbus.com/cuso/ BIG's Innovation Club: https://www.big-fintech.com/Innovation-Club/Technology Open AI's Sam Altman discusses the prospects for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXCBz_8hM9w After our podcast discussion of real time payments, the Fed issued its first data on FedNow volumes: https://www.frbservices.org/resources/financial-services/fednow/quarterly-volume-value-stats Join us for the next CU Town Hall on Wednesday December 11 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing CUs today. It's free to attend (credit union employees might even win a door prize!), but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Find us on X at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Nov 19, 2024 • 33min
Good Ideas, Good Investments
Freshly back from the VentureTech conference, Glen shares interviews with Launch Party winner Ribbon and main event standout Wysh- plus plenty of key takeaways from investors, regulators, entrepreneurs and their prospective credit union partners. Links related to this episode: Ribbon: https://www.trustribbon.com/ Wysh: https://www.wysh.com/ VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/ Our recent interview with Further/Union Credit: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=digging-further-at-finovatefall Glen's blog on Money 20/20 key takeaways: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=money-2020-takeaways-gen-ai-open-data-and-a-cloud-of-dust Join us for the next CU Town Hall on Wednesday November 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing CUs today. In this session we'll explore likely impacts for credit unions and fintechs from the recent election outcome, including shifts in the regulatory environment. It's free to attend (credit union employees might even win a door prize!), but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Find us on X at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Nov 12, 2024 • 37min
Identifying the Standouts at Money 20/20
Round 2 of our Money 20/20 highlights includes Glen's interviews with a trio of founders- Andre Vellozo of DrumWave and Brittany Kaiser of the Own Your Data Foundation about a model allowing consumers to control and monetize the data they generate, and Eli Wachs of Footprint about combating fraud by whitelisting the good guys. Also- Bitcoin blows up and Cap One/Discover makes a comeback. Links related to this episode: Footprint: https://onefootprint.com/ DrumWave: https://drumwave.com/ Glen's blog on Money 20/20 key takeaways: Part 1 of our Money 20/20 coverage, including interviews with Paze and Eisen: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=onboarding-and-offboarding-at-money-2020 Part 2 of our Money 20/20 coverage,Gen AI, Open Data and a Cloud of Dust: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=money-2020-takeaways-gen-ai-open-data-and-a-cloud-of-dust McKinsey's Digital Payments Survey: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/banking-matters/state-of-consumer-digital-payments-in-2024 "The Great Hack" documentary, featuring whistleblower Brittany Kaiser (now of DrumWave): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX8GxLP1FHo The Innovation Club, curated by John Best of BIG: https://www.big-fintech.com/Innovation-Club/Technology Join us for the next CU Town Hall on Wednesday November 20 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing CUs today. It's free to attend (credit union employees might even win a door prize!), but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Find us on X at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

4 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 39min
Onboarding and Offboarding at Money 20/20
Glen's annual Money20/20 highlights include a detailed update from Paze's Head of Operations Catherine Murchie, a conversation with Allen Osgood, the founder of featured startup Eisen, and first-person reflections on CFPB Director Rohit Chopra's unscripted comments regarding the agency's personal data rights rule. Links related to this episode: Paze: https://www.paze.com/ Eisen: https://www.witheisen.com/ Eisen's FinovateFall demo: https://finovate.com/videos/finovatefall-2024-eisen/ Money 20/20's own highlights reel: https://us.money2020.com/experience/highlights Glen's blog on the CFPB's Section 1033 final rule: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-cfpbs-personal-data-rights-rule-exhale-but-dont-get-comfortable Our CU Town Halls are taking a brief break during this busy season, but will be back to brighten your Wednesday afternoons soon! In the meantime, check out our Fraud-a-Palooza session: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=cu-town-hall-episode-124-fraud-a-palooza Find us on X at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Oct 29, 2024 • 35min
A Path to Member Prosperity
Glen speaks with the founders of Starlight and Credit Mountain, two award-winning startups with a goal of smoothing the turbulent patches of consumers' financial journeys. Also- a first look at the CFPB's 594-page magnum opus on personal data rights. Links related to this episode: Starlight: https://www.get-starlight.com/ Credit Mountain: https://www.creditmountain.co/ Glen's blog on the CFPB's personal data rights rule: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-cfpbs-personal-data-rights-rule-exhale-but-dont-get-comfortable For masochists only, the CFPB's full 594-page final rule in all its glory: https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_personal-financial-data-rights-final-rule_2024-10.pdf CU Today's coverage from the day the final rule was announced: https://www.cutoday.info/site/THE-feature/CFPB-Finalizes-Open-Banking-Rule Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

4 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 32min
Deliberating Debit, Contemplating Credit
Glen speaks with Jessica Heuer and Carrie Stapp about Velera's recent Psychology of Payments study and strategies for engaging various segments of card users. Also- Durbin and Putin attempt workarounds, and Fiserv wades into uncharted waters. Links related to this episode: Velera's Psychology of Payments report: https://www.pscu.com/insights/white-papers/the-psychology-of-payments Velera's website: https://www.velera.com/ The Economist's story on Russia's proposed "BRICs Bridge" payment system: https://www.economist.com/international/2024/10/20/putins-plan-to-defeat-the-dollar Payments Dive's coverage of Fiserv's special purpose banking charter: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/fiserv-georgia-special-banking-charter-payments-processing-merchants/728933/ Arnall Golden Gregory's take on Fiserv's charter: https://www.agg.com/news-insights/publications/fiservs-georgia-malpb-charter-implications-for-the-payments-industry/ CU Today on the CCCA potentially being tucked into hurricane relief legislation: https://www.cutimes.com/2024/10/18/credit-card-competition-act-may-be-included-in-disaster-relief-bill Join us for Fraud-a-Palooza! Wednesday October 23 at 3pm ET/Noon PT The next CU Town Hall, a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today, will focus on a fraud environment that John Best calls the worst he's seen. It's free to attend (credit union employees might even win a door prize), but registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Contribute info to our fraud survey: https://forms.monday.com/forms/d76e9b3df9f4f42cec6c16d74b581be2?r=use1 Find us on X and BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Oct 16, 2024 • 34min
AI, Open Banking are En Vogue
Glen checks in with Money 20/20 President Tracey Davies for a preview of the upcoming four-day Las Vegas extravaganza. Also- a slew of updates on Illinois' interchange fiasco, a countdown to the CFPB's open banking rule, and a desperate attempt to tie 1990s funky divas to 2024 payment headlines. Links related to this episode: Money 20/20 USA, October 27-30 in Las Vegas: https://www.money2020.com/ Last week's CU Town Hall- featuring insights from the Illinois Credit Union League's Tom Kane- on the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=cu-town-hall-episode-123 Glen's blog on the IFPA: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=battle-lines-being-drawn-on-illinois-interchange The OCC's amicus brief to the IFPA: https://bankingjournal.aba.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OCC-Amicus-Brief-IFPA.pdf The OCC's amicus brief to the IFPA: https://restaurant.org/getmedia/d5f460e3-3cb6-4d77-9e82-2bf4ae3dc972/2024-10-04-Exhibit-A-to-Corrected-Unooposed-Mtn-of-RLC-IRA-RLC.pdf Glen's History of Money 20/20 in three t-shirts: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-history-of-money-2020-in-three-t-shirts Join us for the next CU Town Hall on Wednesday October 23 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing CUs today. For this session John Best will lead Fraud-a-Palooza! It's free to attend (credit union employees might even win a door prize!), but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ And contribute info to our fraud survey here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/d76e9b3df9f4f42cec6c16d74b581be2?r=use1 Find us on X and BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Oct 7, 2024 • 38min
Show Me the Money
Glen speaks with key players at TruStage Ventures' Fintech Summit: Discovery Fund Managing Director Elizabeth McCluskey on the state of early stage investing, founder Gwyneth Borden on Remynt's journey to startup funding, and Maxwell's co-founder John Paasonen on addressing the housing affordability gap. Also, surprising battle lines forming in the Illinois interchange showdown. Links related to this episode: TruStage Ventures: https://www.trustage.com/ventures/portfolio TruStage Discovery Fund: https://www.trustage.com/ventures/discovery-fund Maxwell: https://himaxwell.com/ Remynt: https://getremynt.com/ Glen's update on the Illinois' Interchange Fee Prohibition Act: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=a-state-of-confusion-interchange-battles-move-closer-to-home Our 2022 interviews with Money 20/20 America's Got Access winners Dennis Cail (Zirtue) and Gwyneth Borden (Remynt): https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=americas-got-access-vegas-has-crowds Finovate's demo archive: https://finovate.com/videos Join us for the next CU Town Hall on Wednesday October 9 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing CUs today. This session will focus on the latest developments in Illinois interchange legislation, and why it's a national issue. It's free to attend (credit union employees might even win a door prize!), but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Find us on X and BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Oct 1, 2024 • 37min
Discovering the Drama in Interchange
John and Glen explore the machinations of the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, the potential impacts that extend well beyond Illinois, and how it could alter prospects for the Capital One/Discover merger. Also- initial thoughts on the DOJ's antitrust suit against Visa's debit business, and a gratuitous swipe at Ticketmaster. Links related to this episode: Glen's blog on the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=a-state-of-confusion-interchange-battles-move-closer-to-home Our August interview with the Illinois Credit Union League on the topic: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=ill-communication-on-illinois-interchange The ICUL's press release explaining the recently filed lawsuit: https://www.icul.com/news/icul-news/bank-and-credit-union-groups-join-forces-to-challenge-new-illinois-law-restricting-interchange-fees/ Thoughts on the Capital One/Discover merger from back in February: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media?p=the-capital-onediscover-deal-a-test-of-typical-battle-lines-and-a-credit-union-angle AP News' reporting on the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit against Visa: https://apnews.com/article/visa-antitrust-justice-department-debit-card-fees Payments Dive's take on Visa's partner agreements that may have spurred DOJ action: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/visa-debit-credit-card-network-stymied-fintech-payments-competition/728033/ Find us on X and BlueSky at @bigfintech, @jbfintech and @154Advisors You can also follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/


