Behind the Vault

Transforming a Century-Old Bank for the Future with Fist International Bank and Trust CEO Peter Stenehjem

> What happens when a century-old community bank embraces fintech innovation? In this episode of Behind the Vault, Peter Stenehjem fourth-generation CEO of First International Bank & Trust, shares their journey of growth and transformation. Key topics from our conversation: * Leading a 115-year-old family-owned bank * Balancing tradition with innovation * Strategic expansion through acquisitions * Moving into payment fintech offerings * Developing Banking-as-a-Service * Managing risk in real-time payments The episode provides essential insights for: * Community bank leaders * Family-owned business executives * Fintech innovators * Banking transformation leaders * Risk management professionals For more info: * First International Bank and Trust [https://www.fibt.com/] * Kotapay [https://www.kotapay.com/] * Peter's LinkedIn profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stenehjem-48623a30/]

Creating a Community FI CD Marketplace with John Blizzard of Seattle Bank and CD Valet

When Seattle Bank couldn't find the right solution for asset growth, they built one themselves. In this episode of Behind the Vault, CEO John Blizzard shares how they created CD Valet, a marketplace helping community banks compete for deposits nationwide. Key topics from our conversation: * How Seattle Bank identified the CD marketplace gap * Building and scaling a fintech solution as a community bank * Raising $150 million in deposits in 10 weeks * Technology and team requirements for nationwide reach * Taking CD Valet from an internal solution to a standalone business The episode provides essential insights for: * Bank executives seeking deposit growth strategies * Community banks exploring fintech opportunities * Financial institutions evaluating CD strategies * Banking innovators and product developers For more info: * Seattle Bank [https://www.seattlebank.com/?utm_campaign=behindthevaultpodcast] * CD Valet [https://www.cdvalet.com/?utm_campaign=behindthevaultpodcast] * John's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblizzard/]

Redesigning the Institution at Travis Credit Union with CEO Kevin Miller

When called upon to transform an organization, it's often a delicate and ever-changing balancing act. This requires delivering outcomes that not just meet expectations but will win in the market and operate within the realities of the institution's resources and capabilities. In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Miller, CEO of Travis Credit Union, to discuss their journey of such an effort. Kevin walks through the ambitious goals for the CU and its approach to people, processes, and technology. He shares insights and lessons learned almost 3 years into the process. Key topics from our conversation: * Building and maintaining transformation momentum * Managing board relationships during major change * Balancing growth ambitions with operational realities * Practical approaches to digital transformation * Creating sustainable organizational change For more info: * Travis Credit Union [https://www.traviscu.org/?utm_campaign=behindthevaultpodcast] * Kevin's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkevinmiller/]

Building a Digital Strategy on Feedback with Addition Financial Kevin Dougherty

Being led by the needs of your customers and members is a given. Being confident of what those needs are is another matter. And making big bets on things like your digital experience is increasingly becoming make or break for an institution's relevance. Addition Financial's COO Kevin Dougherty shares how their team turned member insights into actionable requirements, avoiding costly missteps and building features their members truly needed. Kevin shares their member-first approach to digital transformation, where extensive surveys and feedback loops created the roadmap for their success. Key topics from our conversation: * Turning survey data into actionable requirements * Avoiding costly technology missteps * Measuring success through member response * Building features members actually use Whether planning a digital transformation, evaluating new technology, or looking to understand your members'/customers' needs better, this episode offers practical insights on making smarter technology decisions. For more info: * Addition Financial [https://www.additionfi.com/?utm_campaign=behindthevaultpodcast] * Kevin's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-j-dougherty-8709a55/]

Staying Ahead of Regulatory Change- Insights from Jim McCarthy

How is fintech changing financial regulation, and what does it mean for your institution? In this episode of Behind the Vault, Jim McCarthy draws on his unique experience as a founding CFPB member and former FDIC regulator to help us understand where consumer financial regulation is headed. Key topics from our conversation: * Evolution of consumer financial regulation * Using sentiment data to predict compliance risks * Impact of fintech on regulatory expectations * Open banking and Rule 1033 implications * Strategies for staying ahead of regulatory changes Jim's perspective and advice can be invaluable to: * Bank and credit union executives * Compliance officers * Risk management professionals * Fintech leaders * Banking strategists For more info: * Jim's firm, McCarthy Hatch [https://www.mccarthy-hatch.com/?utm_campaign=behindthevaultpodcast] * Jim's LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccarthyhatch/] * Financial Forward Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-forward/id1754285821]