In this special Valentine's Day episode of the Bankadelic podcast, host Lou Carlozo continues his conversation with banking leaders and innovators about their passion for the industry. Guests share their "love stories" with banking, discussing what drew them to the field and what keeps them motivated. The episode features a diverse range of perspectives, from seasoned executives to rising stars. Each guest shares unique insights into their experiences and the challenges and opportunities they see in the industry's future. Key themes explored in the podcast include: The importance of purpose: Many guests emphasize the importance of finding meaning and purpose in their work, whether it's helping customers achieve their financial goals or driving innovation in the industry. The power of collaboration: Collaboration is highlighted as a key factor in the success of any banking organization. Guests discuss the importance of building strong relationships with colleagues, customers, and partners. The need for continuous learning: The banking industry is constantly evolving, and guests stress the importance of staying ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and ideas. Overall, this episode of Bankadelic offers a heartfelt and inspiring look at the people who are shaping the future of banking. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in the industry or looking for a little Valentine's Day cheer.

In a recent article for Credit Union Business, Jeff Grobaski, CEO of Epic River, highlights the numerous benefits of adopting end-to-end digital lending platforms for credit unions. Key Takeaways: Enhanced Borrower Experience: Streamlined application processes, faster decisions, and real-time updates elevate borrower satisfaction. Improved Operational Efficiency: Digital tools automate manual tasks, freeing up resources for value-added activities and enhancing the bottom line. Increased Revenue Growth: Efficient processes and a seamless digital experience attract more borrowers, leading to increased loan volume and revenue. Stronger Competitive Advantage: Digital lending capabilities are essential for credit unions to remain competitive in today's market. Enhanced Risk Management: Digital platforms provide better data analysis and automated credit decisioning, reducing risk and improving loan portfolio quality. Grobaski emphasizes that as interest rates are predicted to drop in 2024, credit unions must proactively prepare for increased loan volume. Embracing digital lending is not just a trend; it's a strategic necessity for growth, efficiency, and member satisfaction.

In a recent article for Bank Director, Jeff Grobaski, CEO of Epic River, a lending-as-a-service platform, emphasizes the unique advantage community banks have in fostering local business relationships to drive growth. Key Takeaways: Community Focus: Unlike national banks, community banks have a deeper understanding of their local markets and can build stronger connections with businesses in their communities. Identifying High-Potential Businesses: Grobaski suggests focusing on businesses with top talent, strong community leadership, and those in growth industries, such as healthcare, green energy, and technology. Building Trust: Community banks can leverage personal relationships and referrals to build trust with potential business clients, offering a more personalized experience than larger institutions. Meeting Needs: By understanding the specific needs of local businesses, community banks can tailor financial solutions that cater to their growth and resilience. Grobaski highlights that the pandemic-induced economic stimulus presents a unique opportunity for community banks to capitalize on their local presence and foster relationships with high-performing businesses, ultimately leading to increased deposits, loan demand, and overall growth.

In a recent article for Bank Business, Jeff Grobaski, CEO of Epic River, highlights the transformative potential of end-to-end digital lending platforms for both borrowers and lenders. Key Takeaways: Enhanced Borrower Experience: Digital platforms simplify and expedite the loan application process, providing borrowers with greater convenience and transparency. Increased Efficiency and Revenue: For lenders, digital lending streamlines operations, leading to reduced costs, faster processing times, and ultimately, increased revenue. Improved Risk Management: Digital tools enable lenders to more effectively analyze borrower data, improving risk assessment and decision-making. Cost Savings and Agility: By eliminating manual processes and paperwork, digital platforms reduce operational costs and create a more agile lending environment. Grobaski emphasizes that embracing digital lending is no longer a luxury but a necessity for financial institutions to remain competitive and meet the evolving needs of borrowers. The digital transformation of lending promises to benefit all parties involved, fostering a more efficient, customer-centric, and profitable lending landscape.

In this first installment of Finopotamus' annual "Holiday Tech Wish List" series, fintech and credit union executives share their technology aspirations for 2024. Philip Paul, CEO of Cotribute, highlights the need for streamlined account opening processes for credit unions, emphasizing the importance of automation and a seamless user experience to attract and retain members in the face of competition from consumer fintechs. Other executives, including Epic River's CEO, Jeff Grobaski, also share their wishes, ranging from integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency to adopting solutions that prioritize profitability and member satisfaction. The series promises to offer valuable insights into the evolving technology landscape for financial institutions and the innovative solutions they seek to implement in the coming year.

In a recent interview with FinTecBuzz, Jeff Grobaski, founder and CEO of Epic River, delves into the company's evolution from a digital lending platform to a healthcare-focused payment solutions provider. Inspired by a client's need to streamline loan processes for healthcare providers, Epic River recognized a gap in the market and developed a purpose-built module to address the unique challenges of patient lending. With the passing of the Affordable Care Act, the demand for efficient and user-friendly payment solutions in the healthcare sector surged. Epic River seized this opportunity and expanded its platform to connect banks and credit unions with healthcare providers, simplifying patient payments and improving the overall financial experience for all parties involved. Grobaski's insights highlight the importance of adaptability and innovation in the fintech industry. By identifying emerging trends and responding to the specific needs of clients, Epic River has successfully carved a niche for itself in the healthcare payment space. The company's ongoing commitment to streamlining financial processes and enhancing the patient experience solidifies its position as a key player in the evolving landscape of healthcare finance.

The U.S. is facing a medical debt crisis, with 41% of adults owing money for healthcare. Many feel hopeless about ever paying it off. However, a Colorado-based company, Epic River, has an innovative solution. Epic River partners with credit unions to take on unpaid medical bills from hospitals. Surprisingly, the credit union takes on zero risk, even without checking borrowers' credit scores. If a debt seems unlikely to be repaid, it's returned to the hospital. This model seems too good to be true, but it works. The credit union's default rate is only 7%, meaning 93% of debtors are making payments. This success is partly because many debtors have good credit scores and want to avoid damaging their financial standing. This unique approach to medical debt relief offers hope for both healthcare providers and patients. To learn more, listen to the CU 2.0 podcast episode featuring Epic River's CEO and the Chief Lending Officer of Clarity Credit Union. It's a financial innovation you won't want to miss!

In an era of evaporating deposits, community banks find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. As the dust has settled from a tumultuous first half of this year, financial institutions are looking to learn from others' mistakes. Bank boards have taken action to improve interest rate resiliency and leadership teams have identified areas ripe for efficiency improvement but the area still in dire need of innovation is deposit account identification and capture. This begs the question: Are community banks tapping into the right customer base? Is there an opportunity to solve a market problem that could, in turn, solve one of banking's biggest problems?

Lending-as-a-service (LaaS) platform Epic River has been recognized by TrueSpace for its outstanding commitment to financial institutions (FIs) with the 2023 Alignment Award. The award highlights Epic River's dedication to helping FIs expand their lending capabilities and improve the financial wellness of their account holders. Key Points: Recognition for Commitment: Epic River's win underscores its commitment to aligning its services with the needs of financial institutions and their customers. Focus on Financial Wellness: The company's innovative patient financing platform was cited as a key factor in the award decision, demonstrating its commitment to improving financial wellness. Building Strong Partnerships: Epic River's emphasis on fostering strong partnerships with FIs and healthcare providers was also acknowledged, emphasizing the collaborative nature of its approach. Positive Impact on the Industry: This award highlights Epic River's positive influence on the financial services industry, showcasing its innovative solutions and commitment to customer-centricity. Overall: Epic River's win of the 2023 Alignment Award from TrueSpace showcases its commitment to helping financial institutions grow and serve their customers better. The company's focus on innovation, collaboration, and financial wellness sets it apart as a leader in the lending-as-a-service space. This award serves as a testament to Epic River's dedication to driving positive change in the industry.

In a recent interview with Finopotamus, Jeff Grobaski, CEO of Epic River, a FinTech Professional shared insights on how Epic River positively impacts the credit union industry. The interview offers a quick and unique glimpse into Grobaski's journey and the challenges and opportunities facing the FinTech world.