Ahead of the Curve: A Banker's Podcast

Hosted by Abrigo

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Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Looking for ideas, tips, and best practices to take your financial institution to the next level? Look no further than this podcast featuring insights from banking leaders and advisors across the industry. We’ll tackle a range of topics — technology implementation, loan grading, banking cannabis, and more to ensure you stay ahead of the curve in this fast-changing environment. This podcast is available on all your favorite podcasts platforms. For more information on Abrigo, head to abrigo.com.

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31 recent

May 1, 2026Episode 224 min

No black boxes allowed: Secure, explainable AI for financial institutions (with Danny Piangerelli)

As AI adoption accelerates across financial services, banks and credit unions face a critical challenge: how to innovate without compromising trust, transparency, or regulatory compliance. In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we sit down with Danny Piangerelli, Chief Technology Officer at Abrigo, to explore how Abrigo is building and scaling AI responsibly within highly regulated environments.Listen in to learn how explainability and auditability are embedded into AI-driven solutions, why “human-in-the-loop” design remains essential, and how Abrigo’s agentic framework—including AskAbrigo—is transforming how financial institutions securely interact with their data. Danny also shares how AI is reshaping software development, empowering teams through an “Iron Man” approach, and what fintech leaders should consider as they navigate the balance between innovation and stability.About the guest:Danny Piangerelli, Vice President of Engineering at Abrigo, is responsible for Data and AI Platform engineering. He previously served as CTO at BankiFi, CTO at Sensibill, and Co-Founder and CTO of Malauzai Software, which was acquired by Finastra in 2018. Danny has over 30 years of experience in software engineering, architecture, and leadership, driving technology strategy and execution. He has been instrumental in advancing Abrigo’s AI capabilities, including the development of explainable machine learning models, agent-based frameworks like AskAbrigo, and modernized development practices that accelerate product delivery while maintaining rigorous standards for auditability and trust. Helpful links:AskAbrigo: Secure AI-powered knowledge and data interactionBold intelligence: AI’s expanding role in AML & fraud5 Common lending challenges and how lending software can helpCU AI strategy: From adoption to operational advantage - Abrigo

May 1, 2026Episode 133 min

Data quality, AI, and the future of financial crime compliance (with Sarabjeet Singh and Greg Pinn)

As sanctions risk intensifies and regulatory expectations grow more complex, financial institutions are under increasing pressure to strengthen and defend their compliance programs. In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we sit down with Greg Pinn of Abrigo and Sarabjeet Singh, Founder and CEO of RZOLUT, to explore how data quality, risk visibility, and AI are reshaping financial crime compliance.Listen in to learn how expectations around data have evolved, why a unified view across sanctions, PEPs, and watchlists is critical, and how banks and credit unions can responsibly adopt AI while maintaining trust, transparency, and defensibility.About the guests:Sarabjeet Singh is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Product Architect of RZOLUT, bringing more than three decades of global experience in financial crimes compliance. With a strong Big 4 background, including leadership roles at KPMG and EY, his expertise spans AML, KYC, sanctions, and regulatory transformation. Sarabjeet has designed and operated large compliance Centers of Excellence for global banks and FinTechs, including multi-year programs for Top Wall Street banks and global payment providers, combining operational scale, machine learning, and automation. His teams have built and maintained global AML datasets for more than a decade. Through RZOLUT, he enables institutions to leverage high-quality data and adopt enterprise-grade screening and due diligence aligned with modern regulatory expectations.Greg Pinn has spent over 20 years building software products and data solutions to solve AML and financial crime challenges for global financial institutions. His work has included developing sanctions, watchlist, and PEP screening solutions, cryptocurrency compliance tools, adverse media offerings, and advanced risk data products. At Abrigo, Greg leads the development of innovative scan solutions that help banks and credit unions confidently navigate regulatory and operational challenges.Helpful links:Rzolut | Compliance, ConnectedWhat happens when sanctions screening failsThe new sanctions reality: Why community financial institutions need enterprise-grade screening Modernizing sanctions screening for U.S. community financial institutions - Abrigo

December 30, 2025Episode 1122 min

Exploring agentic tools with Ravi Nemalikanti (at AWS Re:Invent)

For the last episode of 2025, get to know Abrigo's CTO, Ravi Nemalikanti, as he talks about his AI philosophy at Amazon's AWS Re:Invent conference. Listen in to learn about the metrics Abrigo considers when making decisions about machine learning in its solutions, ensuring that those decisions support community banks and credit unions. About the guest: Ravi Nemalikanti is Abrigo’s Chief Product and Technology Officer and is responsible for leading technology strategy and determining product and development priorities to drive innovation and increase the company’s competitive advantage. Ravi is the Winner of the 2024 Haas Technology Leadership Awardee for North America by Carlyle, an award given to celebrate an exceptional technology leader. Before joining Abrigo in 2022, Ravi was the CTO of Digital Banking at NCR Corp., where he led the organization’s digital-first banking technology roadmap. Earlier, he held leadership roles in Tax and accounting, Global Trade, and Risk Management during 14 years at Thomson Reuters. Ravi holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Andhra University in Andhra Pradesh, India, and an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.Helpful links: AI Hub - AbrigoWebinar: AI strategy for banking: Unlock the most value - Abrigo

November 26, 2025Episode 1031 min

Bringing a fintech attitude to your financial institution (with Gary Fan)

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we sit down with Gary Fan, Chief Operating Officer at Royal Business Bank, to unpack what real innovation looks like inside a modern community bank. With experience spanning fintech, global institutions, and community banking, Gary brings a rare perspective on how regional banks can move faster, differentiate smarter, and still stay grounded in sound risk management.Listeners will hear:Advice for launching new products without massive R&D teamsHow to build strong relationships with regulators early (and why it matters)Where AI and emerging tech actually fit into a bank’s strategic roadmapWhat the next generation of bank leaders and customers will expectHow Royal Business Bank is positioning itself to compete through product design, niche markets, and cultural evolutionIf you’ve ever wondered how a bank can innovate without losing its identity—or how smaller institutions can compete in a fintech-driven world—this episode offers fresh, grounded, and actionable insight.About the guest:Gary Fan is the Chief Operating Officer of RBB, a publicly traded bank with over $4 billion in assets. As COO, Gary leads enterprise-wide growth initiatives, digital transformation, product and service innovation, and strategic M&A activity. He is also responsible for optimizing cross-functional operations and driving continuous business model evolution to stay ahead in a rapidly changing financial landscape.Previously, Gary served as President of Gateway Bank FSB in Oakland, CA, where he successfully led a full-scale turnaround, overseeing all retail and commercial banking units and restoring profitability. His leadership has consistently delivered measurable results across diverse financial institutions.Gary’s career spans senior roles at global financial organizations, including CTBC Bank, where he served as Head of Strategy for North America and Head of Consumer Lending for its U.S. subsidiary. His expertise includes fintech integration, strategic partnerships, market expansion, long-range planning, and organizational restructuring.With P&L responsibility over multi-billion-dollar lending portfolios, Gary has led high-performing teams across Sales, Marketing, Retail and Commercial Banking, Operations, Credit Administration, Finance, IT & Security, HR, Legal, PMO, and Real Estate. His cross-industry experience includes Banking, Fintech, E-Commerce, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain & Logistics.Gary holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at The Wharton School.Helpful links:Read about Royal Business Bank.Learn about how AI integrates into Abrigo solutions: AI solutions for banks

October 31, 2025Episode 927 min

Give ideas a seat at the table (with professional innovator and ThinkBIG keynote Kyle Scheele)

This episode's guest is author, speaker, and "patron saint of crazy ideas" Kyle Scheele. Listen in as he makes the case that creativity at financial institutions isn’t confined to marketing teams—it’s simply problem-solving, and it belongs to everyone at your organization. He shares why “culture eats strategy,” explains the importance of making space for innovation in a traditional industry, and suggests practical ways leaders can experiment to reduce the big risk that all community FIs face: losing customers to more innovative competitors.We'll explore:The risk of losing customers to fintechs and how creativity helps you win trust.“Commit to the bit”: the surprising power of shared enthusiasm to build culture and collaboration.Two questions leaders should ask to unlock hidden solutions already inside the organization.Lightweight systems to surface employee ideas and how strong cultures act like magnets for attracting new talent.About the guest: Whether he's holding a Viking funeral for the regrets of 21,000 people, hosting the world's first fake marathon, or gaining a million TikTok followers in just 25 hours, Kyle Scheele is always on the lookout for crazy ideas that produce wildly outsized outcomes. Over the last decade, his projects have been featured in prominent outlets Fast Company, WIRED, The Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, UpWorthy, and Goalcast, among others. His videos have been viewed over 250 million times, and he has spoken to hundreds of thousands of audience members across the United States. More than anything, Kyle hopes that his story can inspire others to chase their own crazy ideas and become the people they were meant to be.Helpful links:Read about one of Kyle's projects: Home Run Marathon attracts more participants than Boston Marathon on TikTok - The Washington PostHear more from Kyle at Abrigo's 2026 ThinkBIG Conference.

August 6, 2025Episode 833 min

Moving fast, staying safe: What FIs need to know about stablecoins and RTP

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the topic of real-time payments, specifically the introduction of Stablecoin. In this conversation, we will discussDefinitions and differences of RTP vs StablecoinBenefits and risks associated with bothRegulatory concernsWhat financial institutions need to do to prepare for the more general adoption of this type of technologyWe hope you enjoy the podcast.

August 1, 2025Episode 734 min

Financially motivated sextortion: Old crime, new twist

Sadly, extortion and sexual exploitation are nothing new to the world, but today, we discuss a new twist to these old crimes. Learn how criminal organizations are preying on the younger generation and ways you can identify these crimes. Our moderator, Terri Luttrell, will steer the conversation with Alison Jimenez, our expert, to provide everyone with a working knowledge of these crimes.

June 8, 202530 min

Tariffs, technology, and trust: Duncan Taylor on the forces shaping community banking

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we discuss the ripple effects of global trade, regulatory shifts, and advancing fraud threats with Duncan Taylor, SVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Washington Bankers Association.Tune in as we explore:How tariffs and international trade tensions are impacting regional and agricultural banksWhat community banks should know about regulatory rollbacks and CFPB scrutinyThe growing risks in fraud and why human nature, not just error, must be addressedHow to prioritize responsible AI, compliance, and customer trust in tech investmentsAbout the guest:Duncan Taylor serves as SVP and COO of the Washington Bankers Association and President of both CareerWork$ and WBA Professional Services, Inc. A seasoned association management leader and not-for-profit consultant, Duncan brings a unique blend of operational expertise and policy insight. With deep roots in the industry, Taylor is passionate about financial education, responsible innovation, and building resilient communities through banking. He’s also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and a self-professed bank data nerd who loves breaking down complex topics into approachable, actionable strategies. You can hear him talk trivia and show off his history knowledge on the Last Call Trivia Podcast.Helpful links:Podcast: Integrity Solutions: Shaping Future Bankers with Duncan TaylorWebpage: AI solutions and resources for bankersBlog: AI and generative AI use cases in banking: 6 real-world examples

May 5, 2025Episode 523 min

Bank spotlight: How self-serve technology and financial literacy programming have paid off for BankFive

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, you'll hear innovative ideas on financial literacy programs and leveraging technology for better customer service from Anne Tangen, President and CEO of BankFive.Tune in as we discuss: How to engage customers in learning about improving their credit The role of financial literacy in getting the right loan products in front of customers What BankFive is doing to improve its customer experience with thoughtfully designed branches How Tangen and her team have prioritized keeping a human touch in new self-serve technologies and how the investment has paid offAbout the guest:Anne P. Tangen joined BankFive in 2020 as its President and CEO. She has had a long and distinguished career in financial services, having served in various senior roles at Fidelity Investments, State Street Bank, and The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod. A respected leader in the industry, she sits on several high-profile boards, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s First District’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC), which advises the Fed on the local economy, lending conditions, and other issues. In addition, she has been featured in the Boston Business Journal, Banker & Tradesman, and Bloomberg Radio Boston, and as a speaker at the New England Bankers Annual Conference and Future Branches Boston. Anne is involved in various local nonprofits, including the Alden Pettengill Foundation Board of Argosy Collegiate Charter School in Fall River and the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association (SBERA). She also serves on the Endowment Committee for the Fall River Historical Society.Helpful links: Webpage: About | BankFiveWebpage: Change Management Services | AbrigoBlog: How accountants can leverage technology to boost client financial literacy, loyalty

March 14, 2025Episode 415 min

Balancing AI capabilities and human expertise in loan review and beyond

In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the loan review process, making it more efficient, accurate, and compliant—while ensuring that human expertise remains essential.Joining us is Steve Wert, Vice President of DiCom Loan Review Solutions at Abrigo. With over 20 years of experience in market strategy and technology, Steve has played a pivotal role in the evolution of credit risk management. Previously, he served as President and CEO of DiCOM Software, a market-leading credit risk management solution that is now a part of Abrigo. His insights into AI-driven banking solutions provide a unique perspective on how technology can empower financial professionals rather than replace them.Tune in as we discuss: How AI enhances, rather than replaces, human decision-making in loan reviews The role of AI in risk assessment, compliance, and efficiency Ethical considerations and how banks can integrate AI responsibly The future of AI in credit risk management and continuous monitoringHelpful links:Webpage: AI Solutions for Banks Webpage: Loan Review Assistant Blog: Generative AI in credit risk management: A game changer for loan review