The Allied Angle

Beyond the Bot: Building Trust and Innovating FIs Through AI & UX

In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience (UX) design are reshaping the future of financial institutions. Guests Brett Mitchell and Barrett Crites from Allied Solutions share how AI is moving beyond automation to build trust, enhance personalization, and deliver human-centered experiences. From virtual assistants to ethical design, we dive into the strategies FIs can use to innovate responsibly and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
 
00:40  Get to Know Brett and Barrett.
06:34  The current state of AI in the financial Industry.
09:12   The evolution of AI and the differences between the two types.  
11:27   How UX and AI need to evolve together to provide the maximum benefit for the end user. 
17:16   Ensuring the AI user experience remains human-centric and not robotic. 
23:29 – What financial institutions can do if they’re behind in AI implementation.
27:24 – Where resistance to AI adoption is strongest—and why.
31:45 – Can a credit union use AI to jumpstart their digital transformation?
34:01 – Balancing security and innovation in the age of AI.
35:45 – Key challenges and opportunities as AI continues to mature.
42:48 – How Brett and Barrett stay current in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
 
Continue your learning!
Brett's recommended listening:
“Pivot” podcast
Barrett's recommended listening:
“The Innovation Show” podcast
 
 

CUs in Crisis: On the Frontlines of Fraud, Liability, & Insurance

Credit unions are facing rising fraud, liability, and insurance costs, prompting carriers to tighten underwriting, raise rates, and limit coverage – all while balancing member convenience with stronger risk controls. This episode explores the key threats driving these changes, how insurers are responding, and what credit unions can do to protect themselves and their members.
 
 0:39  – Get to know Patrick and Brandon.
 6:06  –  How insurance carriers have responded to the increased volatility of the past three years.
 8:35  –  The primary types of claims driving the rise in fraud and liability cases.
 11:31 –  Will the rise of AI create new challenges for credit unions in fighting fraud?
14:36 – Why is the credit union space such a prime target for fraudsters?
18:24 – The challenges credit unions face when transferring risk to insurance.
21:09 – What’s preventing credit unions from acquiring the resources needed to fight fraud?
25:33 – Steps credit unions can take to mitigate risks and potentially lower premiums.
28:04 – How insurers are addressing the growing threat of social engineering fraud and account takeovers.
33:20 – How insurance carriers are adjusting their underwriting approach for credit unions.
36:00 – Key traits credit unions should look for in a partner to help navigate insurance contracts and risk management.
40:55 – How increased competition will shape what insurance carriers offer credit unions in the future.

Fraud is a Team Sport: Blitzing Fraud with Collaboration

Fraud is a team sport and a growing concern in auto lending. Join James Maguire, Senior Director of Marketing at Experian Automotive; Suzi Straffon, Director Finance Company Markets at Allied Solutions; and John Denison, Senior Vice President Sales Enablement Operations at Allied Solutions, as they dig into why collaboration is key when it comes to fighting fraud. 
 
00:49 Get to know John, Suzi, and Jim.
06:43 The challenges lenders are facing in this complex auto finance environment. 
09:18  Fraud is growing and impacting every level of the industry. 
12:10  The growing sophistication of synthetic fraud and how to combat it. 
15:02 The importance of data sharing when it comes to fighting fraud.
18:25  How the industry is coming together to take on the challenge of fighting fraud. 
24:12  The two different paths for detection and prevention. 
29:14  How our experts personally protect their data and identity.
30:54  Key recommendations on how you can protect yourself and your business from fraud. 
 
 
 

Reflections and Projections with Pete Hilger: Allied's CEO's Vision for Success

Season three of The Allied Angle kicks off with Allied Solutions' CEO Pete Hilger. Pete shares 2024’s challenges, Allied's key accomplishments, and insights into navigating 2025’s evolving financial landscape - including AI, compliance, and innovation.
 
00:51  Reintroducing Pete Hilger. 
04:02 Navigating the highs and lows Allied and other financial institutions faced in 2024.
06:19 The biggest accomplishments for Allied and its partners in 2024. 
07:31  Key lessons learned in 2024 that are paving the way for future success.
09:33 Industry challenges in 2025, including the rapid growth of AI.
13:08  Allied’s top goals for 2025, and what financial institutions should prioritize.
17:38  Staying connected to members amidst constantly evolving technology.
18:54  The biggest factors set to impact the industry in 2025.
22:51   Innovations Allied is developing to better serve its clients.
24:43. A heartfelt letter Pete received from the daughter of an Allied employee.
27:09  How Pete stays inspired as a CEO and continues learning.
31:30  What Pete is most excited about for Allied in the year ahead.
 
 
 

Closing the Year with Insights: Credit Union Leaders Talk AI to Gen Z

In this unique year-end episode of The Allied Angle, some of the industry’s most innovative and influential credit union leaders join Allied Solutions’ Nikki Warner, Mark Rodriguez, Bill Sarsfield, Anne Holtzman, and Jack Imes for a special “highlight of insights.” From attracting and engaging Gen Z members to navigating the complexities of auto lending, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and delivering member-focused solutions, this episode dives into how credit unions are adapting — and thriving — in today’s rapidly evolving market.
 
2:07  The challenges in attracting Gen Z customers.3:37  Enhancing the digital experience to attract younger generations.5:01  Making an impact through community involvement and volunteerism.6:56  The credit union promise: The importance of staying true to your mission. 8:46  How do you utilize partnerships to bring innovative solutions to your members? 11:02  The current trends driving rising delinquencies and charge-offs.12:46  The initiatives being taken to navigate a challenging economy. 13:49  How do you balance empathy with financial responsibility?14:50  The digital tools being used to adapt to the changing lending landscape.17:44  How to navigate the current regulatory landscape. 20:47  How credit unions are rethinking their approach to managing delinquency and leveraging technology to strengthen member connections.22:11  Meeting the growing needs of your members while also preparing for a falling rate environment. 23:37  The challenges of retaining top talent and keeping them engaged. 25:27  How credit unions are evaluating opportunities while optimizing innovative tools and partnerships. 28:20  Testing new innovations to help enhance the digital member experience. 29:48  The role of data in improving operations and member experiences. 30:58  Looking ahead to the future.
 

Beyond the Storms: Protecting Lenders in a Volatile Environment

In this episode of The Allied Angle, we discuss the rising risks facing auto lenders, especially in the wake of recent hurricanes Helene and Milton. Allied's Vice President Claim and REPO Plus Operations Scott Myers and 2nd Vice President RMO Product Management Mike Batchelor dive into the impacts on loan portfolios, the surge in GAP claims, and insurance rate hikes. 
 
  00:46   Meet Mike and Scott 
  04:25  The market trends most influencing auto loans and the risk landscape.
 10:01  Why people don't talk about the high cost of auto insurance and the relationship between high insurance costs and high vehicle prices
 11:55   The impact of natural disasters on everyone's insurance premiums and how they will affect future claims.
 16:59  How financial institutions should adapt their collateral protection strategies to mitigate risks amid current market pressures. 
 21:00  The advantages of an insurance tracking program for financial institutions and the risks associated with not having one in place. 
25:07  What financial institutions should lookout for when utilizing technology to optimize delinquency management and loss mitigation. 
28:19  The most beneficial tools to help navigate the future of risk management.
  

The High-Stakes World of CPI & GAP: Understanding the Regulatory Landscape

In this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied's Chief Legal Officer, Kelly Miller, and SVP Client Experience and Risk Management, Anne Holtzman, address the regulatory and compliance hurdles that lenders face when managing Collateral Protection Insurance (CPI) and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) programs.
 
In this episode: 
:40  Meet Anne and Kelly
5:46  The partnership between business and legal sides when it comes to risk management.
9:20  A brief history of CPI and the factors that have contributed to its current state.
18:24  How the regulatory landscape has changed regarding CPI and GAP.
25:38  The compliance challenges lenders face when managing their CPI and GAP programs.
30:06  The differences between federal and state regulations. 
34:14  Why states don't necessarily follow federal regulations. 
37:34  Litigation risks lenders face related to CPI and GAP. 
42:09  Advice for lenders on mitigating the risk of class action lawsuits related to CPI and GAP product refunds.
44:39  Best practices for handling product refunds and potential regulatory penalties for not managing them properly.
48:11  Staying ahead of regulatory changes and avoiding penalties. 
50:51  The future for risk management products and how lenders should prepare.  
 
 

Risk & Repos: The Current State of Auto Financing & Delinquencies

In this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied's VP of Recovery Services Brooks Stewart along with special guest Melinda Zabritski, Head of Automotive Financial Insights for Experian Automotive, join the show to discuss the rise of delinquency rates and the cost of buying a vehicle in today's market. 
 
In this episode:
 
00:42  -  Meet Brooks and Melinda
04:14  -  The trends that are contributing to the rise in delinquency rates.
06:35  -  How are FIs adapting their risk management strategies to adapt to the rising delinquency rates? 
09:27  -  The reasons behind the increased costs of purchasing a new vehicle.
14:45  -  How consumers have responded to these increased costs.
17:39  -  How are credit unions balancing competitive rates with the need to manage risk in the current market? 
21:46  -  The changing demographics of borrowers and the generational changes impacting the buying process. 
26:33  -  Are younger generations more likely to lease or buy? 
28:05  -  How these demographic changes are influencing lending strategies and product offerings. 
30:33  -  What impact have these younger generations had on delinquency rates? 
35:47  -  Predictions on what the future holds for both delinquency and auto finance rates. 
38:07  -  Advice for lenders on navigating this challenging time for auto lending. 

Getting B2B (Back2Branding)

The Allied Angle is back with Amy Level-Hearn, VP of Marketing & Communications. Tune in as she shares insights on the evolution of marketing in the financial sector, the importance of branding post-banking collapse and the rise of generative AI and digital transformation. 
 
In this episode:
 
00:41 - Meet Amy Level-Hearn
03:33 - Amy's path to leading the marketing team for a company that supports financial institutions.
05:25 - How has the credit union industry changed from a marketing perspective?
08:13 - What are the marketing challenges financial institutions face today, even with the evolution of technology?
09:33 - The stressors a VP of Marketing faces.
12:44 - What goes into laying the foundation for a successful corporate brand?
16:56 - The main focus credit unions should have when building and maintaining a strong brand.
18:33 - How has the digital transformation impacted marketing strategies for FIs?
20:07 - How credit unions can use data to attract the attention of Millennials and Gen Z.
21:33 - What are some of the must have tools that any FI or credit union could benefit from?
23:02 - What current marketing trends are you stoked about?
24:39 - Marketing trends: Fab of Fad?
32:18 - What will marketing look like in the future?

PART 2: Two Ears, One Mouth: Are you listening to your members?

Lending is continually evolving and changing, but what are the top concerns facing financial institutions today regarding lending? Learn how leveraging data, technology, and the impact of AI is changing the lending landscape in this panel discussion featuring Allied Solutions’ Mark Rodriguez and Jack Imes, along with special guest Josh McAfee from Callahan & Associates. This episode is part 2 of 2 in our discussion.
 
In this episode:
00:27  What practices should FIs be adopting to handle these changes?
05:55  In this constantly changing landscape, what does the future of lending look like? 
14:38  How borrowers attitudes and expectations are changing when it comes to delinquencies.
20:33  What FIs should do to keep their members in mind during difficult times, while keeping their portfolios in mind as well.
27:08  Advice you would give on how to navigate the current state of lending in 2024.