Why Playing it Safe is Risky Business for Bank and Credit Unions Leaders
by James Robert Lay on November 12, 2024
Risk aversion has become a paralyzing force within banks and credit unions, particularly in marketing and sales teams. For institutions that prioritize security, the common reflex is to avoid taking bold action—often to prevent failure or blame. However, as Audrey Cannata and James Ro …
The 3-Step Framework for Change: A Path to Growth for Financial Institutions
by James Robert Lay on November 5, 2024
Change is hard—especially in the financial industry, where traditional approaches can feel like a comfortable safety net. But as financial brands aim to grow and stay relevant, inaction or rigid mindsets can hold entire teams back. Adapting to new technologies, customer expectations, …
Leadership Burnout in Financial Services: Why Staying Stuck is No Longer an Option
by James Robert Lay on November 4, 2024
Many financial brand leaders feel stuck and unable to take the necessary actions to overcome the challenges they face. This sense of being stuck can stem from several factors, including pride, arrogance, fear of conflict, and the fear of looking in the mirror and confronting unpleasan …
Digital vs. Human: The First Step to Unlocking Growth in Financial Services
by James Robert Lay on October 29, 2024
Financial brands often focus on digital transformation and new technologies to drive growth, but they miss a critical piece: human transformation. Without aligning their teams and culture to embrace change, even the best technology won’t unlock new opportunities. Sticking to old habit …
The Digital Growth Accelerator: The Fastest Way to Thrive in 2025
by James Robert Lay on October 28, 2024
There’s no sugar coating it: Your bank or credit union is losing money—right now—because of hidden blind spots in your customer journey. If you don’t take action, these problems will persist, costing you even more in 2025. The longer you wait, the more you risk falling behind your com …
The Future of Financial Branding: Building Trust and Influence through Content
by James Robert Lay on October 22, 2024
Financial brands miss out on millions in loans and deposits by not leveraging digital growth strategies and personal branding. There's a hesitation to utilize new communication channels like social media or podcasts due to compliance concerns and traditional mindsets. Ray Drew, top-pr …
Humanizing Digital Experiences: A True Story of Why People Still Matter
by James Robert Lay on October 21, 2024
In today's digital age, creating a human connection in online interactions is crucial for enhancing customer journeys, especially for financial institutions. However, many banks and credit unions overlook this necessity, leading to missed opportunities and diminished customer satisfac …
The Power of Movement: Mastering Your Body to Master Your Mind
by James Robert Lay on October 15, 2024
In this episode of the Practical Perspectives series, James Robert Lay and Audrey Cannata discuss a powerful yet often overlooked connection—the relationship between physical movement and overcoming mental roadblocks like fear, anxiety, and complacency. They explore the idea that taki …
Mastering Onboarding and Engagement for Banks and Credit Unions
by James Robert Lay on October 14, 2024
In this special episode of the Exponential Insights, James Robert Lay is joined by both Corey LeBlanc, co-founder and COO/CTO at Locality Bank, and Har Rai Khalsa, CEO and co-founder of Swaystack. Together, they dive deep into the critical topic of optimizing onboarding and engagement …
Unlocking Digital Growth: Bridging the Gap Between Data and Action
by James Robert Lay on October 9, 2024
In today's episode of the Exponential Insights series we discuss a significant issue faced by financial institutions: the loss of loans and deposits via their websites. Despite the clear advantages, many credit unions and banks struggle with the digital transformation needed to optimi …