Art vs. Science: Transforming Digital Marketing in Financial Institutions
by James Robert Lay on June 3, 2025
Digital marketing in many financial institutions still leans heavily on the art—intuition, creativity, and guesswork—while neglecting the science of performance data, testing, and iterative optimization. As a result, efforts often lack measurable ROI and fail to meaningfully move the …
Banking’s Innovator’s Dilemma: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
by James Robert Lay on May 29, 2025
Let’s be honest—too many financial brands are still operating like it’s 1999. Websites stuck in the past. Strategies rooted in branch-first thinking. Growth models that haven’t evolved with consumer expectations. In this reboot of Banking on Digital Growth, host James Robert Lay is jo …
Rebooting Banking on Digital Growth: A New Chapter Begins
by James Robert Lay on May 29, 2025
You’re not alone if you’ve felt stuck, burnt out, or just plain frustrated with all the “talk” around digital transformation in banking. After nearly 500 episodes, James Robert Lay took a much-needed break—not from the mission, but to rediscover it. In this raw and revealing comeback, …
The Long Game of Marketing: Planting Seeds for Future Growth
by James Robert Lay on December 17, 2024
Billy Wilkinson, CEO of Threshold, the agency that will make you rethink how you market your everything, joins the show to explore the transformative power of marketing in the financial services industry. Together, they discuss the importance of mastering the fundamentals—what Billy c …
From Artificial to Authentic: Rethinking AI's Role in Human Connection and Banking
by James Robert Lay on December 10, 2024
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) dominates headlines and disrupts industries, financial brand leaders face a dilemma: is "artificial" truly good for building trust, fostering connection, and driving growth?
Small Businesses, Big Potential: Navigating Change in Community Banking
by James Robert Lay on December 2, 2024
Small business owners and community financial institutions face significant challenges in navigating the rapidly changing landscape of AI and digital growth. Limited knowledge and outdated beliefs can hinder future growth and collaboration opportunities, particularly in the SBA lendin …
Transform Your Relationship with Money: Changing Beliefs and Building Wealth
by James Robert Lay on November 25, 2024
For many, money feels more like a burden than a blessing. Guilt, shame, fear, and self-sabotage often sabotage our ability to achieve financial freedom, leading to cycles of stress and unfulfilled goals. These struggles aren't just about numbers—they're rooted in deep-seated beliefs f …
Building Trust in Banking: The Modern Banker and the Wisdom Economy
by James Robert Lay on November 19, 2024
Trust, composed of both words and actions, is now harder to maintain as customers have become more knowledgeable and have a wide array of financial service options beyond traditional banks. The shift from a personal, relationship-focused banking experience to a more automated, regulat …
From Thinking to Thriving: Leveraging the Kolbe A Index to Move Past Inaction
by James Robert Lay on November 18, 2024
Ever found yourself saying, “I need to think about it”? For many financial leaders, this simple phrase hides a deeper hesitation that keeps them stuck in inaction. Often, this delay stems from overanalyzing or waiting for certainty, which can stall growth, innovation, and much-needed …
Logic Meets Intuition: Strategic Growth in Banking
by James Robert Lay on November 13, 2024
In the realm of strategic planning, branding, and marketing for financial institutions, there exists a continuous tension between using pure logic and rationale versus tapping into feelings, emotions, and intuition. Leaders and marketing professionals often struggle with balancing the …