BIGcast

Hosted by Best Innovation Group's John Best & 154 Advisors' Glen Sarvady

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The fintech industry is evolving rapidly, and the BIGcast is here to delve into its impact on the credit union industry. Our esteemed guests from across the financial, technology and security sectors will provide thrilling perspectives on the latest fintech innovations that are poised to revolutionize the way we handle our finances. Each week join thought-leader, John Best and subject matter expert, Glen Sarvady as they take a quick dive into the financial industry's current breakthroughs and latest hot topics.

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August 18, 202635 min

The New Oil Fueling the Fintech Sandbox

Glen connects with Fintech Sandbox Executive Director Lucas Timberlake to discuss the state of fintech investing- with and without AI- and to learn about his nonprofit's mission to bring critical financial data access to early stage fintechs. Also- friends say that PayPal and Stripe are… "talking," and JD Power's credit card rankings have a K-shaped tilt- and an asterisk for Navy Federal. Links related to this episode: Fintech Sandbox: www.fintechsandbox.org Boston Fintech Week: https://bostonfintechweek.org/ America's Credit Unions and the DCUC call on the FCC to rein in Caller ID spoofing: https://www.cutoday.info/site/Fresh-Today/Credit-Unions-Press-FCC-to-Crack-Down-On-Caller-ID-Spoofing JD Power's Credit Card Satisfaction Study (scroll down for FI rankings): https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-u-s-credit-card-satisfaction-study/ TechCrunch on the ongoing PayPal/Stripe/Advent conversations: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/14/talks-to-sell-paypal-to-stripe-and-advent-are-heating-up/ Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. Our guest speaker will be Brian Ley, whose new venture VerifyDial takes a fresh approach to scam detection by deploying a 411-style national phone line free of charge to community FIs. The Town Hall is free to attend as well, but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion! https://www.cutownhall.com/ Check out the Innovation Club - a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their Learn more to see if this is for you and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

August 11, 202641 min

Fintech's Always in Fashion

Glen catches up with Finovate's Greg Palmer to preview September's NYC Demo Parade and the evolution in the startup ecosystem he's noted. Also- the Fiserv Follies extends its run, and how CLARITY and credit cards suddenly became tied at the hip. Links related to this episode: Finovate Fall, September 9-11 in New York City: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ Use code BIG20 for a 20% discount on Finovate registration: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/purchase/select-package/?vip_code=BIG20 Our recent interview with CUltivate AI CEO (and Finovate rookie demoer) Anthony Volpe: https://www.big-fintech.com/can-credit-unions-collaborative-superpowers-extend-to-ai/ CU Today on Sens. Lummis and Moreno's sudden addition as CCCA sponsors: https://www.cutoday.info/THE-feature/Lummis-Moreno-Join-Credit-Card-Competition-Act-As-Interchange-Threat-Grows Fiserv's Q2 earnings and fiscal 2026 outlook, in its own words and that of its hometown paper: https://investors.fiserv.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fiserv-reports-second-quarter-2026-results https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2026/08/06/fiserv-reports-quarterly-earnings-miss-in-first-report-under-new-ceo/91194333007/ Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. Our guest speaker will be Brian Ley, whose new venture VerifyDial takes a fresh approach to scam detection by deploying a 411-style national phone line free of charge to community FIs. The Town Hall is free to attend as well, but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion! https://www.cutownhall.com/ Check out the Innovation Club - a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their R&D budgets and collaborate on tangible solutions to the latest challenges. Learn more to see if you're a fit and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

August 5, 202628 min

Attack of the Zombie SMBs!

Glen speaks with Rapid Finance's Patrick Lord about Zombie Business Fraud and other threat vectors given a bump by AI. Also, Stripe ponders a big play in AI routing, and new Velera data reveals SMBs sending mixed messages to their multiple (banking) partners. Links related to this episode: Rapid Finance (for FIs and other SMB lenders): https://enterprise.rapidfinance.com/ Rapid Finance (for SMBs): https://www.rapidfinance.com/ Patrick Lord's LinkedIn (he loves to talk fraud!): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lordpcarl/ Velera's SMB report: https://www.velera.com/insights/market-research/cu-growth-outlook-2026 Stripe's reported $10 billion level of interest in OpenRouter: https://www.wellesleyhillsfinancial.com/2026/08/02/stripes-10-billion-bet-on-the-ai-economy-why-openrouter-matters/ Which begs the question, "What about PayPal?": https://www.big-fintech.com/looking-for-the-x-factor-in-stripes-paypal-bid/ Fintech South, Tuesday August 18 at Truist Park in Atlanta: https://www.fintechsouth.com/ USE CODE BEYO15 for a 15% REGISTRATION DISCOUNT Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. It's free to attend but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion! https://www.cutownhall.com/ Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their Learn more to see if this is for you and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

July 28, 202635 min

A Master Class in Data and Trust

Glen speaks with author and Finavator CEO Michelle Beyo about her forthcoming book, her takes on the power of data and "trust as the new currency," and her open banking sessions at August's Fintech South Conference. Also, US instant payment volumes spike (relatively speaking) and Samsung/Barclays aim to take a bite of the Apple. Links related to this episode: Fintech South, Tuesday August 18 at Truist Park in Atlanta: https://www.fintechsouth.com/ USE CODE BEYO15 for a 15% REGISTRATION DISCOUNT Michelle's forthcoming book: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Future-Finance-Reshaping-Economy/dp/1394402074/ref=sr_1_1 Michelle's podcast: "Step into the Future of Finance": https://open.spotify.com/show/6tfflOY52ClLkLxgJEJSmo?si=49ac079afb1845de&nd=1&dlsi=b67da683833b4461 Finavator: https://www.finavator.com/ Speaking of trust, here's our recent interview with Deidre Campbell on the Edelman Trust Barometer: https://www.big-fintech.com/is-trust-now-the-most-precious-metal/ Fintech Futures on the Samsung's new credit card collab with Barclays: https://www.fintechfutures.com/partnerships/samsung-credit-card-us-launch-barclays Glen's blog on PayPal's acquisition intrigue: https://www.big-fintech.com/looking-for-the-x-factor-in-stripes-paypal-bid/ Mark your calendar to join us Wednesday August 19 at 3pm ET/Noon PT for our next CU Town Hall. It's free to attend but advance registration is required. Come prepared for a lively discussion! https://www.cutownhall.com/ Check out the Innovation Club- a curated group of credit union tech, data and strategy leaders that meets virtually each month- and twice a year in person- to extend their Learn more to see if this is for you and if so, request a guest pass: https://www.big-fintech.com/innovation-club/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

July 22, 202630 min

Can Credit Unions' Collaborative Superpowers Extend to AI?

Glen checks in with CUltivate co-founder Anthony Volpe for an update on his CUSO's progress in bringing practical AI to the back offices of a broad base of credit unions. Plus, ruminations on lesser covered aspects of the Stripe/PayPal intrigue. Links related to this episode: CUltivate AI: https://getcultivate.ai/ Our interview with CUltivate's three founders immediately after its March launch at GAC: https://www.big-fintech.com/chicken-wings-not-sharp-elbows/ Glen's blog on PayPal's acquisition intrigue: https://www.big-fintech.com/looking-for-the-x-factor-in-stripes-paypal-bid/ Glen's blog on the latest Federal Reserve Payments data: https://www.big-fintech.com/christmas-in-july-the-fed-delivers-new-2024-payments-data/ Coming soon to a Wednesday near you: the CU Town Hall! https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

July 17, 202639 min

The Unstable Stablecoin Landscape

John and Glen discuss the latest maneuvers in the stablecoin world- particularly the newly announced Open USD initiative spearheaded by Bridge, bringing its parent company Stripe into the game. Is it a game changer or a press release destined for Libra-land? Also, new Fed data finds credit cards in overdrive. Links related to this episode: Open Standard's Open USD announcement: https://joinopenstandard.com/blog/introducing-open-usd Glen's blog on the newly released Fed payments data: https://www.big-fintech.com/christmas-in-july-the-fed-delivers-new-2024-payments-data/ Andreesen Horowitz's take on stablecoins' outlook (from before the Open USD announcement: https://a16zcrypto.substack.com/p/why-stablecoins-wont-age-well Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

June 30, 202629 min

Is Trust Now the Most Precious Metal?

Glen meets with Edelman Smithfield Managing Director Deidre Campbell to break down the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, the public's "retreat into insularity," and the resulting action items for banks and credit unions. Also- Illinois turns its focus to BNPL while JD Power highlights an FI opportunity, X Money broadens its reach, and the murky NCUA waters begin to clear. Links related to this episode: Edelman Smithfield's Financial Services Trust Barometer: https://www.edelmansmithfield.com/2026-Edelman-Trust-Barometer-Key-Insights-for-Financial-Services Edelman's 2026 Global Trust Barometer: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2026/trust-barometer Illinois' newly signed BNPL law: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/illinois-enacts-bnpl-law-pritzker-consumer-crypto/823835/ JD Power's Buy Now Pay Later customer satisfaction study (good news for FIs): https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-us-buy-now-pay-later-satisfaction-study PYMNTS.com on X Money's latest move toward general availability: https://www.pymnts.com/commerce/social-commerce/2026/x-opens-x-money-to-premium-subscribers-ahead-of-broader-launch Mark your calendar to join the next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT - our live and lively interactive monthly conversation where credit union leaders tackle the biggest issues facing the sector today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

June 24, 202639 min

Fighting Amsterdam Fintech FOMO

Laura Gibson-Lamothe, the Georgia Fintech Academy's Executive Director, provides firsthand coverage of the key takeaways from Money 20/20 Europe. Laura and Glen also discuss broader trends in talent development/demand and regional differences in banking (and smoking! ) regulation. Plus- process reflections spurred by the passing of longtime Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, and the Bank of England sets a new stablecoin standard. Links related to this episode: The Georgia Fintech Academy: https://georgiafintechacademy.org/ Laura's recent post pondering A Tale of Two Georgias: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tale-two-georgias-stablecoins-financial-future-laura-gibson-lamothe-0t7bc/ One of Laura's Money 20/20 interviews onsite in Amsterdam, with The Fintech Accord's West Richards on Stablecoins, AI & Global Fintech Policy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYNAZKFEcy0 Fintech Futures' coverage of the Bank of England's new stablecoin policy: https://www.fintechfutures.com/regulatory-actions/bank-of-england-stablecoins-policy-draft-regulation-uk Glen's blog on a VERY eventful month for interchange: https://www.big-fintech.com/a-remarkable-month-for-interchange-but-what-has-really-changed/ Mark your calendar to join the next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 15 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- our monthly live and lively interactive conversation where credit union leaders tackle the major issues facing the sector today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required: https://www.cutownhall.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

June 16, 202642 min

Financial Health, No Matter the Mission

Our second batch of interviews stemming from the Financial Health Network's EMERGE conference, both with founders of compelling fintech startups: ROX CEO Lara Hodgson (breaking down barriers to SMB credit/liquidity) and Poncho CEO John Brown (financial wellness for military families). Also- the sudden twist in Fiserv's turnaround story. Links related to this episode: ROX: https://www.roxwrite.com/ Poncho: https://www.poncho.us/ Poncho CEO John Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnprestonbrown/ The Financial Health Network: https://finhealthnetwork.org/ Glen's blog on a VERY eventful month in interchange: https://www.big-fintech.com/a-remarkable-month-for-interchange-but-what-has-really-changed/ A replay of Glen's favorite EMERGE session, featuring Alex Johnson posing "lightning round" questions to a panel including former OCC head Michael Hsu: https://finhealthnetwork.org/event-session/hard-questions-for-the-future-of-finance Sister publications Banking Dive and Payments Dive publish differing perspectives on Fiserv CEO Mike Lyon's surprise departure: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/fiserv-ceo-exits-after-rocky-year/822882/ https://www.bankingdive.com/news/truist-ceo-lyons-rogers-fiserv/822878/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/

June 5, 202634 min

Authentic Intelligence in Financial Health

Glen shares highlights from the Financial Health Network's EMERGE conference, including interviews with a pair of trailblazing co-founders: Debbie Rewards' Frida Leibowitz and Prosprous.ai's Ted Leung. Also- Illinois kicks the interchange can down the road (again), Pope Leo pleads for humanity in AI, and a campaign to repurpose dopamine hits for financial wellness. Links related to this episode: Debbie: https://www.joindebbie.com/ Prosprous.AI: https://prosprous.ai/ The Financial Health Network: https://finhealthnetwork.org/ Our interview with the Financial Health Network's Andrew Warren on a reconsideration of the definitions of un- and underbanked: https://www.big-fintech.com/is-the-underbanked-concept-ripe-for-a-rethink/ Our interview with co-founder Eric Berg of Duome, the belatedly crowned winner of NACUSO's Next Big Idea Competition: https://www.big-fintech.com/two-conferences-two-coasts-one-exhausted-fintech-geek/ Illinois has now double-punted on its interchange legislation and Colorado's governor vetoed its similar version; nonetheless, here's a savvy take on the underlying flaws that other states should consider before mimicking: https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/colorados-new-bill-on-interchange-is-a-test-case-for-unintended-consequences/ Here's Colorado Governor Jared Polis' three-page letter explaining why he vetoed the bill: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s7NlfmaHRIArKyKg1ShBplEIgarJiXIV/view Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/n/glensarvady/