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 problem is, popular analytics tools like Google Analytics aren’t built to measure this kind of traffic. They’re designed to filter bots out, not help you understand what AI agents are doing on your site. In this conversation, we break down the difference between AI visibility and AI traffic, explain the three types of AI bots interacting with websites today, and share what we’re learning as we launch a new research study to measure real AI traffic across credit union and bank websites. If you want to understand how the Agentic Web is changing analytics, SEO, and digital strategy for financial institutions, this episode is for you. 00:00 Welcome back and episode overview 01:00 Why AI traffic matters for banks and credit unions 02:30 The difference between AI visibility and AI traffic 04:00 How AI answers questions vs. how Google search works 06:30 Why visibility doesn’t equal traffic 08:30 Why financial institutions started asking for AI traffic data 10:00 What it means when AI agents visit your website 11:30 The three types of AI bots (user, indexer, training) 14:00 Seeing AI agents visit your site in real time 16:30 Why Google Analytics can’t measure AI traffic 18:00 Clicks vs. “intent hits” in the AI era 20:00 Why most AI interactions don’t result in website visits 22:00 How AI agents use content differently than humans 24:00 Long-form content vs. modular content for AI 27:00 The tradeoffs of content structure for AI agents 29:30 What this research study aims to uncover 31:00 How to participate in the AI traffic research study 33:00 Final thoughts and next steps Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 accounts, analyze transactions, and provide personalized financial insights all through natural language and lightweight UI components. We also discuss why AI-first banking is fundamentally different from traditional UI-based apps, what this means for user experience design, and why this shift is closer than most people realize. If you want to understand how AI agents could transform personal finance, budgeting, and everyday banking tasks, this episode is one you’ll want to watch- especially the demo. 00:00 Introduction and overview of AI-first banking 01:00 Setting up a banking prototype inside ChatGPT 02:30 Viewing accounts and balances inside the chat interface 04:00 Opening a new savings account with natural language 06:00 Confirmations, approvals, and human-in-the-loop controls 08:00 Why minimal UI works better with AI agents 10:30 Envelope budgeting and real-world banking pain points 13:00 Why traditional banking apps fall short 15:00 Executing multiple transfers with a single command 18:00 AI vs. UI-based banking experiences 21:00 Analyzing transactions and spending behavior 24:00 Why most people don’t budget and how AI changes that 27:00 AI agents as proactive financial assistants 31:00 Finding savings opportunities automatically 35:00 Subscription management, negotiation, and optimization 38:00 The future of AI agents managing money 41:00 Real examples already appearing in ChatGPT (Ramp, Stripe) 45:00 Why banking apps are coming to ChatGPT 48:00 What needs to happen for this to become real 52:00 Final thoughts on the future of AI-first banking Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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, it’s a lack of strategic clarity. We dig into why many financial institutions struggle to deliver strong digital experiences, how the Innovator’s Dilemma applies to banking today, and what leaders should be thinking about as AI, fintech partnerships, and new operating models reshape the industry. Listen to learn why strategy, not technology, is the real bottleneck for digital transformation, and what banks and credit unions can do to position themselves for the future. 00:00 Welcome back and episode introduction 01:00 Introducing Joe Colca and his background in financial services 05:00 Joe’s career journey from Vanguard to Citi to VyStar 10:30 The Innovator’s Dilemma and its relevance to banking today 14:30 Branch-based vs. branchless banking models 18:00 Why digital transformation feels so hard for credit unions 22:30 Technology upgrades vs. meeting member expectations 27:30 Fintech partnerships and the build vs. buy decision 33:00 Can banks successfully be both branch-based and digital-first? 38:00 Strategy problems vs. technology problems 43:30 Spinoff digital banks as a potential solution 50:00 Real-world examples of credit union digital spinoffs 56:00 The impact of AI on the future of banking experiences 01:01:30 What Forge Clarity does and who it helps 01:06:30 One action leaders should take right now: strategic clarity 01:09:00 Final thoughts and wrap-up Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 The Innovator's Dilemma, the benefits of launching AI-first spinoffs, and how future financial institutions might operate without traditional mobile apps or online banking. 00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode 01:11 AI's Potential in Banking and Financial Institutions 03:53 The Innovator's Dilemma in Banking 05:59 The Shift from Physical Branches to Digital Banking 11:37 AI as the Next Disruptive Innovation 17:02 The Future of AI-Driven Financial Services 23:04 AI Integration in Everyday Life 29:50 The Role of AI in Financial Decision Making 31:35 Blockchain and AI: Revolutionizing Banking 33:25 AI-First Experience: The Future of User Interfaces 35:48 Cost Efficiency in AI-Driven Banking 39:08 OpenAI's App Store: A New Frontier 40:31 Challenges and Opportunities for Credit Unions 42:58 The Innovator's Dilemma: Embracing Disruptive Innovation 46:49 Launching Spinoffs: A Strategy for Transformation 49:00 The Future of Banking: AI-First Spinoffs 50:03 Legacy Institutions and Modern Challenges 01:00:35 The Role of Marketing in Credit Union Transformation 01:03:01 AI's Impact on the Banking Industry 01:05:47 Conclusion: Embracing AI for Future Success Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 and how it's going to transform the banking user experience. Listen to learn how AI is reshaping the future of banking and what opportunities lie ahead for individuals and financial institutions. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 my life over the last decade and what I want for the next 10 years. Not only is this type of reflection valuable personally, but it can also lead to true transformation for your credit union or bank. As JR says, all change starts with learning truth and seeing things differently. What "truth gaps" are holding back your financial institution? Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 a liability. In this episode, James Robert and Derik talk about how to flip the script and turn your website into a true sales engine. You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banking-on-digital-growth/id1498837117), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DS40kGDVBSIodUfGTbvWI), or here (https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast). Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrwlay/) is joined by co-host Derik Krauss (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derikkrauss/) 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 actually are, how they differ from GenAI, and why your brand’s current visibility in Google Search might not mean squat in an AI-powered world. From OpenAI’s new Agent Mode to Semrush’s bombshell research on AI search behavior, we dive deep into how machines are now completing tasks that were once human-only—and what that means for your marketing, UX, and growth strategy moving forward. Because in the age of AI agents, one year of inaction could cost you a decade of relevance. You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banking-on-digital-growth/id1498837117), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DS40kGDVBSIodUfGTbvWI), or here (https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast). Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrwlay/) and co-host Derik Krauss (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derikkrauss/) 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 that rely heavily on Google and PPC are at risk of becoming invisible in the new AI-first search landscape. Why does this matter? Because behavior is shifting fast, and many institutions are lagging behind without realizing it. JR and Derik share what your financial brand must do now to prepare. From measuring your AI visibility to understanding what content actually gets you found in ChatGPT responses, this episode is a blueprint for staying competitive—and staying seen. You can find this episode and many more by subscribing to Banking on Digital Growth on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banking-on-digital-growth/id1498837117), on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DS40kGDVBSIodUfGTbvWI), or here (https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast). Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrwlay/) and Derik (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derikkrauss/) explore personal stories of transformation, the impact of strategic clarity, and how the most growth-bound institutions today are those with leaders willing to take bold, courageous action. They unpack why thriving starts with leading yourself—and how 10x thinking can unlock future-focused innovation that’s no longer optional. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step, this episode will challenge your perspective and offer a clear path forward: Think bigger. Lead bolder. Grow faster. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.