1:14 - Building a brand involves authenticity and passion. My recognition as Digital Banker of the Year opened doors, but the real impact comes from genuine engagement and sharing knowledge, particularly through my YouTube channel focused on financial education. Winning the American Banker's Digital Banker of the Year award was a pivotal moment for me, opening doors to new opportunities and experiences. Despite not aiming for financial gain, my ventures into YouTube and social media focus on authenticity and providing value, particularly in financial education. It's about making a genuine impact, and at the very least, leaving something valuable for the coming generations.

3:47 - Given the rapid pace of change in banking and fintech, we generally prefer buying to building, and leveraging the innovations already available. In banking, rapid innovation favors buying over building. This approach allows us to meet customer expectations swiftly without the delays of in-house development. For mission-critical components, ownership is key, though challenging for smaller institutions. This approach allows us to meet client expectations quickly without the lengthy process of developing technology in-house. However, we aim to own mission-critical components whenever possible, despite the challenges for smaller banks.

7:22 - It's a constant struggle to balance security with a seamless user experience. While the industry leans towards protection, which can sometimes compromise the user experience, ensuring the safety of personal and financial data is paramount. Finding a middle ground is challenging, but necessary. Ensuring data security while maintaining a positive user experience is challenging. The industry leans towards protection, which can affect usability, but safeguarding personal and financial information is essential.

11:47 - My creative interests have significantly contributed to my approach to innovation and problem-solving at Encore. My creative pursuits have enriched my professional approach, offering new perspectives and solutions. Inspired by figures like Steve Jobs, I apply lessons from creative fields to foster innovation within banking.

13:52 - Developing an innovation roadmap is crucial, focusing on short-, medium-, and long-term goals. Our innovation roadmap focuses on adapting to technological and economic shifts. Immediate goals include enhancing digital services, while long-term objectives involve leveraging AI to utilize our data sets effectively. This includes enhancing digital services, exploring instant payments, and leveraging AI and machine learning to utilize our vast data effectively. Staying flexible and responsive to the evolving economic and technological landscape is key to maintaining relevance.

19:40 - Leaving a high-paying job to start up was a significant risk. Despite the uncertainties, the experience gained was invaluable, teaching me about the importance of continuous learning and self-belief in overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Starting a fintech venture taught me the value of risk-taking and continuous learning. This experience has been fundamental in developing a resilient and innovative mindset.

22:12 - Emphasizing diversification and avoiding excessive risks are crucial strategies. Learning from failures and maintaining a balanced approach to risk-taking help in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and finance. If you think risks as a financial investment taking 5% of total risk, 5% of the balance sheet, 10% of the balance sheet, not 50% of the balance sheet.

24:36 - Stay humble, trust your instincts, and be open to learning from both successes and failures. Embrace humility, acknowledge your mistakes, and continuously strive for improvement on your professional journey. Trust your instincts but remain open to new insights. Take all of that in stride and don't make the same mistakes twice, certainly, but be humble enough to acknowledge the things that went well and the things that didn't go well on this innovation journey.