BIG Podcast

In our annual Prognostication Episode John Best flags an imminent Quantum Break, Anne Legg confronts shrinkflation, John Janclaes ponders employee burnout and Glen Sarvady charts FedNow’s road ahead. Also discussions of tech layoffs, the battle for deposits, SMBs’ health, and an even wilder than usual set of Bitcoin price predictions.   Links related to this episode:   JPM Chase’s SMB Business Leaders Outlook: https://www.jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/insights/us-business-leaders-outlook  McKinsey article on employee burnout: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/addressing-employee-burnout-are-you-solving-the-right-problem   Thrive Strategic Services: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/  The CEO Corner: http://theceocorner.com/  Nymbus: https://nymbus.com/  Roger’s recent post on the Quantum Break: https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2472644-has-the-quantum-break-just-happened?from_forum=193  Roger Grimes’ book on the Cryptography Apocalypse: https://www.amazon.com/Cryptography-Apocalypse-Preparing-Qu

John and Glen recap and update the biggest stories that impacted the credit union world and beyond during 2022: The Ethereum merge, inflation and the end of “free money,” a slowdown in VC cash, the FTX implosion, the intersection of the Ukraine, guns and payments, and more.     Links related to this episode:   Our recent episode covering FTX’s collapse: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/848/At-a-Crypto-Crossroads  More on the Ethereum merge: https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/    The CU Town Hall returns Wednesday January 11- Join us for our live and lively hour-long interactive discussion of the top issues facing credit unions. Held alternate Wednesdays at 3pm ET/Noon PT. Request an invitation here: https://www.cutownhall.com/  Follow the Best Innovation Group on Twitter: @bigfintech Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Glen speaks with leaders of the student-led federal credit unions at both Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania about this unique corner of the CU world. Also- keeping HOPE alive, and outrunning regulation with industry fraud rules.     Links related to this episode: ttps://www.upennsfcu.org/ University of Pennsylvania Students Federal Credit Union: https://www.upennsfcu.org/ Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union: https://www.guasfcu.com/ Penn Today’s recent story on its student credit union’s 35th anniversary: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/nations-only-ivy-league-student-run-credit-union-turns-35-monthhttps://www.paymentsjournal.com/banks-take-a-proactive-stand-to-resolve-zelle-issues-before-regulators-make-their-mark/ Payments Journal’s coverage of big banks’ move to stave off Zelle regulation: https://www.paymentsjournal.com/banks-take-a-proactive-stand-to-resolve-zelle-issues-before-regulators-make-their-mark/   SPECIAL- Save an extra 5% on BIG’s already low rates for i

John and Glen attempt to decipher the recent chaos in the crypto world. Along the way they confront their own horrid Bitcoin and Ethereum price projections from January, debate the economics of recorded music, and John touts a mysterious and incendiary new form of fuel.     Links related to this episode: Last January’s 2022 Predictions episode, including more discussion of John and Glen’s fatally flawed Bitcoin and Ethereum predictions: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/797/Have-in-Store   Lou Grilli, Senior Innovation Strategist at PSCU and a Friend of the Pod, posted the following thoughts on FTX’s collapse: https://www.cuinsight.com/thoughts-on-the-ftx-collapse/   For anyone smitten with the cryptocurrency sweater gracing this week’s graphic: https://www.notjustclothing.co.uk/products/merry-cryptmas-cryptocurrency-knitted-christmas-jumper Blowupolene: (sorry, URL unavailable)   SPECIAL- Save an extra 5% on BIG’s already low rates for its ACE (API Connection Experts) services. Details here

Continuing our annual BIGCast tradition, John and Glen welcome back Anne Legg and John Janclaes for a festive holiday discussion of fintech developments they’ve been grateful for over the past year.     Links related to this episode:   Anne Legg’s website, including access to her book “Big Data, Big Climb”: https://www.anneleggthrive.com/ Reach John Janclaes through either his firm Nymbus or his own The CEO Corner website: http://theceocorner.com/ https://nymbus.com/ Glen’s rather prescient Money 20/20 interview with crypto skeptic Oonagh McDonald: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/845/Screen-Time-Stablecoins-and-Other-Perils   Glen’s recap of the recent VentureTech conference for CU Today: https://www.cutoday.info/site/THE-tude/The-Highlights-From-Fast-Growing-VentureTech-Event   SPECIAL- Save an extra 5% on BIG’s already low rates for its ACE (API Connection Experts) services. Details here: https://www.big-fintech.com/Products-Services/API-Connection-Experts Follow the Best Innovation Grou

Glen speaks with the founders of four of the up and coming fintechs- Credit Mountain, Datava, MessagePay and Nickels- that caught his eye at last week’s VentureTech conference.   Links related to this episode:   Datava: https://datava.com/    Nickels: https://asknickels.com/ MessagePay: https://www.messagepay.com/ Credit Mountain: https://creditmountain.co/ Launch Party winner Arcanum Technology: https://www.arcanumtechnology.net/ Our interview with Zirtue’s Dennis Cail from Money 20/20: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/844/Americas-Got-Access-Vegas-Has-Crowds Glen's VentureTech recap for CU Today: https://www.cutoday.info/THE-tude/The-Highlights-From-Fast-Growing-VentureTech-Event VentureTech: https://myventuretech.com/   SPECIAL- Save an extra 5% on BIG’s already low rates for its ACE (API Connection Experts) services. Details here: https://www.big-fintech.com/Products-Services/API-Connection-Experts Follow the Best Innovation Group on Twitter: @bigfintech Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advis

In Part 2 of our Money 20/20 recap, Glen speaks with Javelin’s Tracy Kitten about her new Child ID Fraud report, and in a BIGCast first we interview a former member of the UK Parliament about crypto regulation. Also for good measure, thoughts from a Fed Governor and the Head of New York’s Department of Financial Services. Links related to this episode: Javelin’s Child ID Fraud Study: https://javelinstrategy.com/2022-child-identity-fraud-report Javelin’s free November 15 webinar discussing the study: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/524171704549369101?source=CUNA Oonagh McDonald’s recent book “Cryptocurrencies: Money, Trust and Regulation”: https://www.amazon.com/Cryptocurrencies-Money-Regulation-Oonagh-McDonald/dp/178821420X The FDIC’s newly updated Unbanked/Underbanked study: https://www.fdic.gov/analysis/household-survey/index.html  Part One of our Money 20/20 BIBCast coverage, including interviews with three startup founders: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/844/Americas-Got-Ac

Freshly back from Vegas, Glen shares interviews with the founders of three companies that made a splash at Money 20/20’s startup pitch competition: Dennis Cail of Zirtue, Gwyneth Borden of Remynt and Piero Nunez of Pana. Plus, does Jesus still love Bitcoin?   Links related to this episode: Zirtue: https://zirtue.com/ Remynt: https://www.getremynt.com/ Pana: https://www.joinpana.com/ Our Recent CU Town Hall with MyFloc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr_ahj54u0o&feature=youtu.be Glen’s BIG Blog on Money 20/20 highlights: Glen’s Money 20/20 coverage for CUNA.org: https://news.cuna.org/articles/121710-money-20-20-advancing-in-real-time-despite-headwinds Our recent interview with Tracey Davies of Money 20/20: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/840/Drones-Disruption-and-Double-Vision   Follow the Best Innovation Group on Twitter: @bigfintech Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Glen speaks with Highline co-founder and CEO Geoff Brown about his firm’s efforts to simplify bill payment and make “safe to spend” budgeting more practical by remitting amounts due directly from paychecks. Also- the ninth (or tenth) life of checks, and questions over how the CFPB is “fed.”      Links related to this episode:   Highline: https://highline.co/  Our previous episode on payday lending: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/836/Exodus-from-the-Debt-Trap  BillGO and Aite’s study on how Americans pay their bills: https://www.billgo.com/blog/how-americans-pay-their-bills  Deluxe’s unexpected check rebound: https://www.americanbanker.com/payments/news/deluxe-check-printing-business-sees-surprising-uptick-in-demand  CFPB funding: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1130115943/court-says-financial-watchdog-agency-cfpbs-structure-is-unconstitutional    Join us live every other Wednesday at 3pm ET/Noon PT for the CU Town Hall, an interactive discussion of the most pressing issues facing credi

John and Glen discuss the Credit Card Competition Act, the lessons that can be gleaned from “Durbin 1.0”’s impact on debit, the potential impact on credit interchange, and possible workarounds. Also, John declares body parts in his checked baggage.   Links related to this episode:   The FII Institute: https://fii-institute.org/  BAI’s take on the implications of Durbin 2.0: https://www.bai.org/banking-strategies/article-detail/whats-next-if-durbin-2-0-becomes-law/  Business Insider’s take on the political machinations: https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-card-competition-act-good-veterans-bad-for-rewards-2022-10  CUNA’s stance on attempts to attach the bill to the National Defense Authorization Act: https://news.cuna.org/articles/121611-financial-services-trades-to-congress-ndaa-shouldnt-be-a-payday-for-retailers  Payment Dive’s update on the latest twist that may keep interchange out of the NDAA: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/credit-card-payments-competition-bill-durbin-congress-de

Glen talks with Money 20/20 President Tracey Davies about what to expect at the upcoming flagship event, and why this batch of ideas won’t be staying in Vegas. Also, the Credit Card Competition Act gathers momentum.   Links related to this episode:   Money 20/20 USA, October 23-26: https://us.money2020.com/  The Points Guy’s take on the Credit Card Competition Act: https://thepointsguy.com/news/update-credit-card-competition-act/   Titus Andronicus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9He-ZJCl3Y    Join us live every other Wednesday at 3pm ET/Noon PT for the CU Town Hall, an interactive discussion of the most pressing issues facing credit unions:  https://www.cutownhall.com/    Follow the Best Innovation Group on Twitter: @bigfintech Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Glen talks with Jenny Jackson and Nick Evens, the co-founders of VentureTech, about the rapid growth of their interactive fintech showcase and plans to highlight more than 25 growth-stage companies this November. Also- a crypto take-down, fall conference pre-gaming, and various fintech rumblings in our nation’s Capitol.   Links related to this episode:   VentureTech, November 7-9: www.myventuretech.com  Last week’s BIGCast featuring interviews with four Finovate standouts: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/838/The-New-Guard-Takes-Center-Stage  The Treasury Department’s report on the Future of Money: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Future-of-Money-and-Payments.pdf  The Treasury Department’s report on Crypto risks: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/CryptoAsset_EO5.pdf    Join us live every other Wednesday at 3pm ET/Noon PT for the CU Town Hall, an interactive discussion of the most pressing issues facing credit unions:  https://www.cutownhall.com/    Follow the Best Inno

Glen interviews four of his favorite companies- all first-time presenters- at last week’s Finovate Fall event: Best of Show winner Debbie, crypto solutions provider Bakkt, trading platform Energy Shares and business identity platform Middesk.   Links related to this episode: Debbie: https://www.joindebbie.com/ Bakkt: https://bakkt.com/crypto-solutions Energy Shares: https://energysharesus.com/ Middesk: https://www.middesk.com/ Glen’s earlier interviews with Best of Show winner Quilo and also standouts Illuma and Posh: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/817/NACUSO-Next-Big-Idea   Best of Show winner Lemonade LXP’s appearance on our CU Digital Town Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTazCXX_lyo Glen’s recent interview with Finovate frontman Greg Palmer: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast/ArticleID/832/A-Shift-in-the-Venture-Capital-Winds The Treasury Department’s newly minted report on the Future of Money: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Future-of-Money-and-Payments.pdf

Glen speaks with BitMint CTO Gideon Samid about his firm’s unique approach to digital loyalty programs, and with GoCart’s Head of Growth Nick Hughes about reducing shopping cart abandonment. Also- new data on credit unions and crypto, and credit card gun merchant codes set the stage for a new battle royale.     Links related to this episode:   BitMint: https://www.bitmintcash.com/  GoCart: https://www.gocartpay.com/  Glen’s Credit Union Magazine article on CUs and Crypto: https://news.cuna.org/articles/121324-connecting-via-crypto  PSCU/PYMNTS.com’s survey of credit union leaders’ crypto attitudes: https://www.pymnts.com/credit-unions/2022/credit-unions-weigh-the-risks-and-benefits-of-expanding-crypto-offerings/  MPC22 (August’s Mobile Payments Conference): https://mobilepaymentconference.com/  Follow the Best Innovation Group on Twitter: @bigfintech Follow Glen on Twitter @154Advisors Follow John on Twitter @jbfintech

Glen meets with Exodus Lending’s Executive Director Anne Leland Clark to discuss its grassroots efforts to extricate consumers from debt traps and plans to launch “the anti-payday loan.” Also - faster payments coming faster, and the crypto caravan keeps growing. SHOW NOTES can be found at: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast

Shamir Karkal, co-founder of trailblazing neobank Simple, discusses his current venture Sila and its mission to simplify payments for the entire ecosystem. Plus-FedNow lurches toward the starting gate, and Glen looks forward to a busy September. SHOW NOTES can be found at: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast

Glen speaks with Finovate’s VP of Marketing Greg Palmer about how 2022’s economic climate may be fueling a new wave of young fintechs. Also, a recent acquisition has Glen asking about CUSOs, and a brief tribute to a true card pioneer. SHOW NOTES can be found at: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast

John and Glen take a cue from a "money anthropologist" and Dax Shepard, thinking through generational wealth and the future of savings. SHOW NOTES can be found at: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast

Glen speaks with CEOs Becky Reed of Lone Star Credit Union and John Wingate of BankSocial about a new solution enabling small CUs to rapidly deliver crypto to members. Also a first look at Durbin 2.0. SHOW NOTES can be found at: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast

Glen speaks with Nebraska Credit Union League CEO Scott Sullivan and Family Focus Federal Credit Union CEO Amy Brodersen about the unique (and not so unique) challenges facing the 56 CUs in the Cornhusker State, including payday lending and blockchain. SHOW NOTES can be found at: https://www.big-fintech.com/Media/BIGcast