In the latest episode of Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Tyfone, welcomed Crissi Cole, Founder and CEO at Penny Finance Inc. The episode centered around the real barriers to financial health and the need for more personal, judgment-free financial guidance.

Crissi argued that traditional budgeting tools and advice often fall short because they ignore each person’s unique goals and circumstances. She explained that most people struggle with money not because they lack discipline, but because the “trade secrets” of wealth management rarely reach them. Crissi shared how many financial lessons remain locked behind closed doors, and how shame and confusion keep people from seeking help. She emphasized that building wealth is less about rigid rules and more about aligning daily choices with personal goals, especially as those goals shift through life.

Josh and Crissi explored the role of community financial institutions in closing this knowledge gap. They discussed how credit unions and community banks can offer better support by focusing on education, digital access, and understanding members’ true objectives—rather than pushing one-size-fits-all budgets. The episode made a clear case for rethinking how banks help people build real financial security.

In the latest episode of Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar, EVP - Evangelism at Tyfone, welcomed Vit Shtyrkin, Chief Product Officer at B2BinPay. The episode centered around how fast-changing technology is reshaping digital banking, with a focus on the practical impacts of artificial intelligence and crypto tools on product development and team workflows.

Vit discussed how his team approached AI not as a shortcut, but as a tool for survival and growth. He shared real examples of how AI helped B2BinPay analyze competitors, speed up prototyping, and reduce routine work, while stressing the importance of human expertise to guide, validate, and shape technology’s output. Vit and Josh explored why simply having AI isn’t enough—teams need to combine smart tools with critical thinking and ongoing learning to stay ahead.

The conversation also touched on the rising pace of disruption, the need to balance speed with quality, and why no business—banking included—is safe from rapid change. Vit closed by highlighting the real human goals behind innovation: creating products that work for people, freeing up time, and making room for life beyond work.

In the latest episode of Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Tyfone, welcomed Christina Roman, Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at Experian, and Latreace Wells, Assistant Vice President of Career Planning and Development at Fisk University. The episode centered around how financial education shapes opportunity and why understanding credit early can change lives.

Christina and Latreace discussed the challenges people face when learning about credit and personal finance. They shared how misinformation on social media makes it hard for young adults and students to separate fact from fiction. Both guests explained how practical education—like credit monitoring and honest conversations about money—can help people avoid common pitfalls. Christina highlighted the need for trustworthy resources and explained why credit monitoring should be part of everyone’s routine. Latreace described how her programs at Fisk University help students build good habits before they enter the workforce, stressing that it’s never too late to start fresh.

The conversation also touched on the complexity of today’s financial landscape. Subscription services, buy now pay later options, and digital wallets add layers to money management that didn’t exist a decade ago. Christina and Latreace encouraged listeners to focus on small, positive steps—like tracking spending and prioritizing trusted advice—to build a stronger financial future.

In the latest episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Kirk Kordeleski, Partner at PARC Street Group. They explored what it took to build a thriving credit union in today’s environment—one where competition, technology, and member expectations were always changing. Kirk shared why credit unions had to set ambitious goals and maintain a clear vision, even as the industry faced slow growth and increased consolidation.

Kirk explained how a strong culture, driven by energy, learning, and accountability, created real momentum. He argued that success came from setting bold targets, communicating a shared purpose, and operating with both efficiency and heart. Kirk also tackled the tough questions around executive compensation, mergers, and the unique challenges that came with leading not-for-profit financial institutions. He believed intellectual honesty and performance-based rewards were key to attracting and keeping the right talent.

Throughout the conversation, Kirk returned to the value of positive leadership and the importance of doing the hard work. He encouraged leaders to build teams that were proud of their mission and unafraid of change. For Kirk, when credit unions got these elements right, they achieved more than growth—they delivered meaningful results for their members and their communities. 

In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Katie DeFeo, VP and Chief Experience Officer at SunWest Credit Union. They explored how credit unions could stand out in a crowded digital landscape by leading with authenticity and human connection, even as banking became more commoditized and tech-driven.

DeFeo explained why building a genuine, approachable brand mattered more than ever. She shared how SunWest focused on delivering experiences that felt personal—whether in a branch or through a mobile app. For DeFeo, it was not enough to match rates or adopt the latest technology. Instead, she encouraged credit unions to communicate in plain language, share real stories, and empower staff to help members in memorable ways.

The conversation highlighted the challenge of scaling digital transformation without losing soul. DeFeo described SunWest’s approach to blending technology with bold, human storytelling, and why being willing to disrupt old habits was key to staying relevant.

In the latest episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Michael Claire, founder and CEO of LoanCirrus Limited. Their conversation focused on how digital lending platforms can reach underserved communities—particularly in regions often overlooked by large banks.

Claire shared insights from his work across the Caribbean, where outdated lending models and legacy technology have slowed progress. He explained how LoanCirrus is helping financial institutions reimagine how they serve people, starting with access and trust.

DeTar and Claire also discussed the risks of overcomplicating digital transformation. Claire advocated for simple, intuitive tech that lets credit unions and small lenders adapt quickly. Throughout the episode, Claire emphasized that building tools for people—not just institutions—is what moves the needle.

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sits down with Amir Sarhangi, CEO and founder at Skyfire Systems Inc. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of payments, digital commerce, and the day-to-day experience of both consumers and financial institutions.

Amir explains how AI agents are set to handle more tasks on our behalf, from booking travel and securing event tickets to making complex payment decisions. He dives into the technical hurdles, such as identity verification and secure transaction processing, and discusses why tokenized payments and open API models will be essential as agent-driven commerce evolves. Throughout, Amir stresses the speed of change in the AI space and the need for banks to adapt quickly to stay relevant and maintain strong customer relationships.

The conversation moves beyond technology, touching on the deeper impacts of AI on trust, consumer choice, and the role of financial institutions in a world where software agents may make many decisions for us. Amir offers practical examples and urges banks to act now, harnessing their trusted position to deliver new, user-friendly experiences that keep customers engaged.

In this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar welcomed Imane Bakkar, Managing Director at Logarisk. With years of experience in financial risk management, Imane unpacked how today's risk landscape had shifted—and why traditional models were no longer enough on their own.

Josh and Imane discussed how regulated institutions could navigate risk in an era defined by AI, speed, and interconnectivity. She pointed to real-world failures, a chatbot gone off the rails and algorithmic trading systems that misfired were discussed, to highlight the importance of designing controls that matched the use case. She also explained the role of "risk appetite" versus "risk tolerance," and why understanding that difference mattered.

The episode closed with a reflection on preparation versus prediction. Imane urged risk leaders to stop chasing the perfect model and instead focus on knowing their dependencies, designing for speed, and asking smarter questions—before the next crisis hit.

In the last episode of The Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar sat down with Alenka Grealish, principal analyst at Celent. Their conversation explored how generative AI is changing how community financial institutions operate, from behind-the-scenes efficiency to frontline support.

Grealish explained that AI's biggest impact today is improving agent productivity, boosting customer satisfaction, and reducing call center turnover. She compared AI to bees: mostly invisible yet critical to the entire system.

The discussion also covered AI's role in bridging knowledge gaps, enabling personalization through natural language, and supporting small business banking. Grealish emphasized the need for trust, clear guardrails, and human oversight to unlock AI's benefits without compromising safety. The episode closed with a look at how financial institutions can start small, experiment safely, and prepare for a future where AI is deeply embedded in digital banking.

On this episode of the Digital Banking Podcast, Josh DeTar welcomed Thomas Müller, CEO and co-founder of Rivero, to discuss the connection between cybersecurity and payments. Müller’s background as a CISO provided a unique perspective, highlighting the human element in security breaches. He used real-world examples like account takeovers and policy bypasses to show how both technology and human actions affect security.

DeTar and Müller discussed the challenge of building strong security programs that are both safe and user-friendly. Müller offered advice on making security policies and training more effective. They also explored how industry rules often fail to keep up with new online threats.

Müller then explained his move from cybersecurity to the payments industry, and his reasons for founding Rivero. He spoke about the issues banks face in adapting to rapid changes in financial technology. The discussion concluded with Müller's thoughts on the constant struggle between those committing fraud and security experts.

In this episode of Digital Banking Podcast, host Josh DeTar spoke with Jenn Addabbo, the CEO and co-founder of Engage fi. They discussed her journey as an entrepreneur, how to build a strong company culture, and how legacy financial institutions can innovate.

Addabbo explained that culture is not something you can just create; it is the result of your vision and actions. Jenn emphasized the importance of hiring people who fill your blind spots, like "puzzle pieces that come together for the full picture." She stressed that as technology like AI becomes more common, the human side of business will become an even more critical differentiator.

They also explored how financial institutions can approach new projects. Jenn believes organizations must define what success looks like from the beginning. This provides a clear filter for making decisions and helps leaders avoid distractions, ensuring the final outcome meets the institution's real needs, not just the latest trends.