Banking on Digital Growth

In this episode, I interview Chris Allen, CEO of Fox Communities Credit Union, about how credit unions and banks can stay flexible amid disruption. He explains Fox’s strategy of building three growth engines: retail branches, commercial lending, and virtual banking, each designed to adapt as market conditions change. Allen discusses why steady growth is essential for credit unions to remain sustainable, how commercial lending creat...

In this episode, Ryan Harmon and I dig into a question we’re hearing more and more from banks and credit unions: how much AI traffic are financial institution websites actually getting and is it worth optimizing for yet?

AI search is projected to overtake Google search within the next few years, and that shift comes with a major implication: the primary users of FI websites won’t just be humans anymore, they’ll be AI agents. The...

In this episode, I walk through a prototype that explores what I believe is the next major shift in banking: AI-first banking experiences built directly inside tools like ChatGPT. Instead of navigating complex apps and menus, you simply tell an AI what you want to do and it handles the work for you.

Joined by my co-founder, Ryan Harmon, I demonstrate how a ChatGPT-based banking app could open accounts, move money between accoun...

In this episode, I sit down with Joe Colca, founder of Forge Clarity, to talk about a challenge credit unions and banks keep running into as they try to compete with digital-first players. Most people frame this as a technology problem. Joe and I don’t see it that way.

With more than 26 years of experience at organizations like Vanguard, Citi, and VyStar Credit Union, Joe shares why the real issue isn’t a lack of technology,...

AI is going to revolutionize banking. Credit unions and banks are already being disrupted by fintechs, now AI is either going to accelerate their demise or give them a chance to leapfrog their disruptors. The choice is theirs.

In this episode, I (Derik Krauss) am joined by my co-founder, Ryan Harmon, to unpack how AI could disrupt UI-based fintechs and open up new opportunities for community banks and credit unions. We discuss T...

Hey, this is Derik. I recently tried using ChatGPT's Agent Mode to make transfers between my personal bank accounts. I didn't get the outcome I was hoping for, but that's not because AI isn't capable of doing it. In fact, it's more than capable of doing that and other banking tasks, especially if there is a human in the loop.

In this episode, my co-founder, Ryan Harmon, and I show and tell what agentic AI is capable of doing a...

For the first time, JR is a guest on the podcast he started. Join me, Derik Krauss, as I debut as the new host of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast.

In this episode, I interview JR and we talk about challenges he has overcome, including facing an autoimmune condition, as well as his plans for the next decade.

What we unpacked in this conversation is truly thought-provoking. It has led me to reflect on what has happened in...

Most community banks and credit unions have websites that look decent—but they’re just glorified brochures. They’re not bringing in loans, deposits, or meaningful customer engagement. That’s a big problem. Because every day your site doesn’t convert, you’re losing potential revenue to competitors who’ve figured out how to make their digital presence work for them. A static, underperforming site isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s ...

AI agents aren’t coming—they’re already here. And they’re about to reshape how people search, shop, and apply for financial products. In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, host James Robert Lay is joined by co-host Derik Krauss to unpack the fast-moving shift from generative AI to autonomous AI agents—and why this change is happening faster than most financial brand leaders realize. We explore what AI agents act...

Traditional SEO is dying—and AI search is taking its place. In this episode of the Banking on Digital Growth Podcast, host James Robert Lay and co-host Derik Krauss dive into the seismic shift in how people search, shop, and make financial decisions online. With research from Semrush and Ahrefs predicting that AI-driven search will surpass Google by 2028—or even sooner—this isn’t just a trend. It’s a warning.

Financial brands t...

Are you dying, surviving, or thriving? In a rapidly evolving age of AI and fintech disruption, the real threat isn’t competition—it’s complacency. Too many banks and credit unions are stuck in survival mode, reacting to problems instead of creating possibilities.

The conversation digs deep into the mindset shifts needed to break free from defensive, fear-based thinking.

James Robert and Derik explore personal stories of transfor...

Traditional banks and credit unions are struggling to stay relevant in an increasingly digital world. While consumers flock to neobanks and fintechs for speed, convenience, and personalization, many community institutions remain anchored to branch-first models and legacy mindsets.

James Robert and Derik unpack why going “digital” isn’t just for startups—it’s a strategic path forward for community-based institutions too. They exp...

Most financial brands are stuck saying the same things—“great rates, great service”—and it's costing them trust, growth, and relevance. In this episode, James Robert Lay and Derik Krauss dive into the dangerous trap of commoditization in financial services. They break down why it's happening, how it shows up in your marketing, and what to do about it.

You’ll learn how to reframe your messaging around purpose, use empathy to gu...

Most financial brands are still designing websites for people. But the web’s changed—and fast.

In this episode, Derik Krauss joins James Robert Lay to unpack why the real “visitors” to your site are no longer just humans, but AI agents like ChatGPT and Perplexity acting on their behalf. They explore what this means for discoverability, trust, and conversion in an age where the “Do-It-For-Me” economy is accelerating.

You’ll learn how ...

Most financial institutions struggle to measure what really matters in their marketing. They track impressions, clicks, and followers—but not meaningful outcomes like loan conversions, account openings, or user friction. This leads to wasted budgets, unclear ROI, and missed opportunities to optimize the digital experience.

Without clear, actionable analytics, marketing becomes a black box. Leadership gets frustrated. Teams lose ...

Most marketing teams are stuck in a turf war—and it’s costing financial brands real growth. On one side, brand teams are chasing awareness. On the other, performance marketers are pushing for conversions. Both mean well. But without a shared strategy, they're pulling in opposite directions—and the only real result is internal competition, wasted budget, and missed growth opportunities.

In this episode of the Banking on Digital G...

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 needle on loans and deposits.

The stakes have never been higher. Digital noise is at an all-time high. AI is flooding the market with more content ...

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 joined by new co-host Derik Krauss, co-founder of MetriFi, for a no-holds-barred conversation about what it really takes to lead in a digital-first worl...

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, he opens up about the personal and professional crossroads that led to hitting pause and the powerful insights gained during that time.

Tune in to...