The Allied Angle

AI is full of promise for financial institutions — but it also comes with real questions around governance, compliance, and trust. In Part 2 of this conversation, PortX CTO Jon Fancey shifts the lens from what AI is doing today to what it means for FI leaders making decisions right now. From building responsible AI frameworks in a still-evolving regulatory environment, to whether smaller community institutions can actually compete with mega-banks, to a sneak peek at what PortX is building next — this episode is where the technology story meets business reality.
 
In this episode:
 
00:59  Skepticism over governance of AI when it’s embedded in your integration and data platforms.
03:10   Building for compliance when the rules are still being written.
05:47   What does the integration layer of a financial institution look like when AI is fully embedded?
10:10   Is there a future where AI essentially makes integrations self-healing?
12:03   Does AI change the dynamic between community institutions and big banks when it comes to technology adoption?
14:13   The one thing the industry is getting wrong about AI and integration right now.
19:24  “You don’t have to understand everything about AI to lead the revolution.”
21:12   Final thoughts from Jon on the future of AI.

Auto loan risk used to come down to one question: did the borrower pay? Not anymore.
Anne Holtzman, SVP of Risk Management Services at Allied Solutions, discusses how fraud, insurance gaps, and a strained recovery system compounds losses across auto lending, often long before recovery ever begins.
Anne draws on nearly 40 years in insurance and lending to walk through what's changed, including the insurance signals that appear about 90 days before a missed payment, the rise in voluntary surrenders and $11,000 deficiency balances, how title washing and lost-lien fraud let borrowers slip away with the collateral, where AI helps and where human judgment still has to lead, and the one mindset shift that separates proactive institutions from reactive ones.
A practical listen for risk, lending, and collections leaders at credit unions and banks.
 
In this episode: 
 
00:53   Get to know Anne.
03:35   The different risks lenders are managing as opposed to just a few years ago.
06:52   How insurance is an early indicator of borrower trouble.
10:57    What’s driving the shift from can’t pay to won’t pay?
14:19    The underlying shift that explains why younger generations are more likely to skip their car payments.
16:25    How fraud that slips through at funding ends up resurfacing and compounding costs at the recovery stage.
22:41    Are lenders looking for a better strategy when it comes to fraud during the loan cycle?
23:55   When a vehicle enters recovery, how much loss has already occurred, and where did it happen?
27:22   How does AI help lending institutions see risk sooner, while still keeping leaders in control?
30:17   The mindset change that separates the institutions getting ahead of this, from the ones stuck reacting. 

Financial institutions have been wrestling with integration challenges for decades — legacy cores, fragmented data, and costly point-to-point connections that slow everything down. But AI is starting to change the equation. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jon Fancey, Chief Technology Officer at PortX, sits down to dig into what the integration problem really looks like on the ground, where AI is delivering measurable value today versus where it's still mostly hype, and why the foundation you build on now will determine whether your institution is ready for what's coming next.
 
In this episode:
 
01:27    Get to know Jon
03:06    The challenges at the intersection of technology and business.
04:39    How the speed of technology is an inhibitor to modernization.
05:41    Where AI is delivering measurable value when it comes to integrations and data workflows.
07:55   How AI is impacting FIs ability to attract top tech talent.
12:35   What’s enabling the acceleration in AI-powered integration platforms?
18:49   How AI will influence future technology transformations.
20:54   How data fragmentation can limit AI development.
22:53   Using AI not just to store data, but to act on it with confidence.
24:12   The normalization of real-time data visibility.
27:03  One final message for FI leaders: Is the technology you’re using right now going to be suitable in five years?
 
 
 

If your credit union is offering a 401(k), you're already familiar with the administrative weight that comes with it — the compliance, the fiduciary responsibilities, the vendors you're managing. But there's a newer plan structure that's been quietly gaining traction, and it might change how you think about all of that.
In this episode, we're joined by Bob Edgar from The Standard and Morgan Steves from Gallagher to break down Pooled Employer Plans — what they are, who they're actually a good fit for, and where the market is heading. Whether you're actively evaluating your retirement plan options or just want to stay ahead of the conversation, this one's worth your time.
 
In this episode:
00:45  Get to know Bob and Morgan.
05:06  What is a Pooled Employer Plan, and how does it differ from what credit unions typically offer?
07:57  How to evaluate whether a PEP is the right fit for your credit union.
10:57  What’s driving the increased interest in PEPs, and where does industry adoption stand today?
12:57  Common misconceptions organizations have when evaluating their retirement plans.
17:26  The future for PEPs in the credit union space and what’s next for the industry.
20:33  Final advice for leaders considering a PEP for their organization.
 
This episode is sponsored by The Standard.
 
The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. StanCorp Equities, Inc., member FINRA, wholesales a group annuity contract issued by Standard Insurance Company and a mutual fund trust platform for retirement plans. Standard Retirement Services, Inc., provides financial recordkeeping and plan administrative services. Investment advisory services are  provided by StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., a registered investment advisor. StanCorp Equities, Inc., Standard Insurance Company,  Standard Retirement Services, Inc., and StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., are subsidiaries of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and all  are Oregon corporations.
 
Investment advisory services are offered by Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors, LLC (“GFA”), an SEC registered investment advisor that provides retirement, investment advisory, discretionary and independent fiduciary services. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC.  GFA is a limited liability company with Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. as its single member. GFA may pay referral fees or other remuneration to employees of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. or its affiliates or to independent contractors; such payments do not change our fee. Neither Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., GFA, their affiliates nor representatives provide accounting, legal or tax advice.
Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. Neither Osaic Wealth nor their affiliates provide accounting, legal or tax advice.

How do you know if a partnership is actually driving growth — or just adding complexity? In this episode of The Allied Angle, Mark Bugalski, Allied's Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, breaks down what makes a strategic partnership a true force multiplier for banks and credit unions — and what makes it a distraction. Mark shares the framework Allied uses to evaluate every partnership, why speed to market is the real competitive differentiator for financial institutions right now, and how to tell whether your vendor relationships are accelerating your strategy or quietly holding you back. 
 
Register for the April 30th webinar, Beyond the Hype: Unlocking AI ROI Through Better Data Integration, featuring Allied's Charlie Peterson and PortX's CEO, David Wexler.
 
In this episode:
 
00:51  Meet Mark Bugalski.
07:22  Legacy core systems, batch processing, and manual workarounds: a recipe for stalled growth.
09:18  What separates a partnership that multiplies your capabilities from one that adds another layer of complexity?
13:19   The internal decision process: choosing a partner or building in-house.
17:49  The criteria Allied uses to move forward with a partner or decide to walk away.
22:00  Why Allied went all-in on PortX.
26:13   The momentum around PortX: Clients weigh in on Allied’s new partnership.
27:17   Why speed to market is a critical differentiator right now.
30:48  How quickly FIs are adopting AI right now.
33:08  What does it look like when a partnership is a distraction and actually slows you down?
34:30  Allied's internal tech transformation: why they adopt it first before passing it on to clients.
37:57   How open banking readiness is setting lending institutions up for long-term success.
41:07   Red flags to watch for in vendor partnerships.
42:48  How to know which vendor relationships are multipliers and which ones are distractions.

Credit unions have a built-in advantage that most financial brands spend years trying to earn — member trust. But trust alone isn't a strategy. In this episode of the Allied Angle, Dawn Goldbacher, GVP and Head of Market Strategy and Growth at Franklin Madison joins the show to explore what "member-first" really looks like in practice.
Whether you're leading strategy at a credit union, bank, or affinity group, this episode will challenge you to rethink how your institution approaches member engagement, financial protection, and responsible personalization.
 
00:50 - Meet Dawn Goldbacher.
04:14 - How trust influences a member's willingness to purchase protection through their credit union.
05:51 - What it takes to truly understand a member's needs and context.
06:52 - How credit unions can use data to deliver protection in a way that feels helpful. 
08:41 - Even with all the data, the best insights won't land if the outreach isn't personal and well-timed. 
10:38 - The importance of breadth of choice and why it matters from a strategic standpoint. 
12:10 - What you should know about Franklin Madison and how they work closely with Allied. 
 
This episode is sponsored by Franklin Madison — helping organizations redefine consumer engagement with turnkey insurance solutions. Learn more at franklin-madison.com.

Credit scores like FICO have been the backbone of lending decisions for decades — but in today’s volatile environment, lenders are finding that a score alone can’t fully explain borrower behavior or forecast what comes next. In this episode of The Allied Angle, Jack Imes (Allied Solutions) and Dr. Joseph Breeden (Deep Future Analytics) break down where traditional scoring falls short — and what lenders can do to build a more complete, forward-looking view of risk.
Together, they unpack what “borrower resilience” really means, why post-pandemic shifts have made outcomes harder to predict, and how behavioral signals, predictive modeling, and AI can help institutions move from reactive loss management to proactive portfolio strategy. 
Find Dr. Breeden's books & publications here.
 
In this episode:
0:42 Get to know Jack Imes and Dr. Joe Breeden.
4:40 Why FICO scores are missing when it comes to measuring risk.
6:50  The trends in borrower behavior that have challenged traditional risk models.
10:56 The difference between borrower resilience and creditworthiness.
14:26 What does moving beyond scores to deeper analytics look like for FIs?
18:12  How do you get lenders to look beyond FICO to see the complete risk picture?
21:30 How AI-driven predictive modeling shifts portfolio risk management from reacting to losses to anticipating outcomes.
24:44 How lenders should approach portfolio risk management today, and what separates those who adapt from those who struggle.
29:13 Treat analytics as navigation, not automation: Key takeaways on portfolio risk management.
 

In this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied Solutions CEO Pete Hilger reflects on a year that tested financial institutions on every front — from market volatility and elevated fraud losses to regulatory pressure and shifting member expectations.
Pete shares candid insights on what 2025 revealed about risk management, leadership, and organizational resilience, and why incremental change is no longer enough in today’s operating environment. 
Looking forward to 2026, Pete outlines the priorities leaders should be focused on now — from strengthening core operations and leveraging data more effectively to making intentional decisions around growth, partnerships, and long-term positioning.
This episode offers a practical, executive-level perspective for financial institution leaders seeking clarity, confidence, and direction in a rapidly evolving landscape.
 
In this episode:
01:36  — Getting to know Pete.06:42  — Reflecting on 2025: The biggest lessons learned at Allied and what we’re ready to leave behind.09:02  — The mood around the turbulence and regulatory scrutiny facing the industry.10:37  — How Allied is addressing the challenges driven by risk management.12:50  — What separates a strategic partner from just another vendor?17:35  — Common industry misconceptions about the evolution of asset risk management.21:50  — What asset risk management really is, and how technology and AI are reshaping what’s possible.27:17  — What do you say to clients who are still hesitant to adopt AI?29:03 — Allied’s partnership with Port X, highlighting what’s new for 2026.34:26 — What are you most excited about as we head into 2026?

Fraud didn’t just grow in 2025 — it evolved. In this recap special, The Allied Angle revisits the top fraud conversations of 2025. We connect the big picture (third-party vs first-party vs synthetic) to ground-level fixes: stopping account takeover, hardening card channels, eliminating terminal fallback, and turning security awareness into behavior change. You’ll hear from fraud experts Patrick Touhey, Brandon Bottomley, Zach Douglass, Josh Gideon, Suzi Straffon, John Denison, and James Maguire. 
 
In this episode:
:50 Fighting fraud truly is a team sport.  3:31 The primary categories of fraud that caused the most damage in 2025.  6:08 How criminals are blending low-tech social engineering with high-tech execution.  8:43 “Sharing is caring”: the steps institutions should take to fight back against fraud.12:22 The critical importance of the human element.14:43 Why fraud must be a management priority across the board.15:56 How increased competition will save credit unions millions in the long run.

Younger members expect speed, transparency, and personalization — and credit unions can deliver without chasing every shiny tool. In this episode, Allied's SVP Strategic Initiatives Charlie Peterson joins us to unpack innovation, “The Pizza Effect," and more.
 
In this episode:
 
1:01 – Get to know Charlie.
4:02 – Who’s actually walking through the digital and branch doors of credit unions today?
5:33 – The importance of attracting, engaging, and keeping Gen Z.
8:35 – Defining innovation: What falls under that umbrella, and what doesn’t.
11:27 – Why adapting to the changing needs of your members is crucial for survival.
15:47 – Giving your members the attention they want without being intrusive.
20:03 – How to build lifelong relationships with your members.
22:27 – Actionable steps credit unions can take right now to strengthen bonds with Gen Z.