Articles & Discussion
Engaging with the financial services community and bringing thought leadership to the discussion. Insights from some of the smartest people in the industry, conversations Ascent is driving in the media, and more.
Podcast
![Counting Change Podcast by members of Ascent - Discover positive change in credit unions and community finance](ascentassets/img/section_imgs/podcast_banner_small.png)
Sep 03, 2024
33mins
The Importance of Collaboration with CUs and Fintechs
Special Guest: Melissa Pomeroy, EVP, Chief Operating Officer at Cooperative Credit Union Association..
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/melissa_pomeroy.jpg)
Aug 20, 2024
30mins
The Evolving Audit Process: The Impact of Technology on Preparation
Special Guest: Rob Johnson, Chief Audit Officer MSU Federal Credit Union.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/rob_johnson.jpg)
Aug 06, 2024
36mins
Creating a Culture for both the Institution and the Employee
Special Guest: Steve O'Connell, CEO and President California Credit Union.
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Jul 23, 2024
25mins
Part 2: Navigating the Evolution of Digital Banking
Special Guest: Bryan Clagett, Advisor at Ascent Platform.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/bryan_clagett.jpg)
Jul 09, 2024
24mins
Part 1: Navigating the Evolution of Digital Banking
Special Guest: Bryan Clagett, Advisor at Ascent Platform.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/bryan_clagett.jpg)
Jun 25, 2024
31mins
Creating a Successful Culture for your Institution and the Individual
Special Guest: Greg Mitchell, President & CEO at First Tech Fed CU.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/greg_mitchell.jpg)
Jun 12, 2024
28mins
The Balance between Technology and Humans with Theron McCollough
Special Guest: Theron McCollough, Managing Director at Citizens Private Bank™.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/theron_mccollough.jpg)
May 28, 2024
31mins
The Applications of AI in the Financial Industry
Special Guest: Alice Stevens, VP of consumer lending, product innovation, and credit analytics at VyStar Credit Union.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/alice_stevens.jpg)
May 21, 2024
12mins
Bonus Episode
Special Guest: Glen Fossella, Head of Customer at Ascent Platform.
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May 13, 2024
35mins
Data Access within the Financial State in America
Special Guest: Trish North, who's done it all from financial institutions to fintech in customer success roles.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/trish_north2.png)
Apr 29, 2024
38mins
The Importance of Small Credit Unions VS the Big Bank
Special Guest: Denise Wymore, GSD, a leading advocate & cheerleader for small credit unions.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/denise_wymore.jpg)
Apr 15, 2024
35mins
Fintech Trends in 2024
Special Guest: Chris Tremont, Chief Digital Officer at Grasshopper Bank.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/chris_tremont.jpg)
Apr 1, 2024
22mins
Role of Fintech & Innovation in the CU Space
Special Guest: Benjamin Maxim, CTO and Chief Innovation officer at MSUFCU and Reseda Group.
![](/ascentassets/img/podcast-photos/ben_maxim.jpg)
Articles & Stories
Aug 30, 2024
Ascent presenting live at Finovate Spring (full video)
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/13_Glen.png)
Glen Fossella
7 min watch | Embedded from YouTube
First, Ascent solves the fragmented experience problem by streamlining and simplifying any and all product applications and forms across the institution...
watchJul 25, 2024
Building Trust in Remote Communities: The Future of Banking Relationships
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
9 min read | Published on Linkedin
We're witnessing a seismic shift in how banks and credit unions connect with their customers...
read morePodcast Companion
Jul 12, 2024
Enabling Customer Outcomes: Success from Data and Collaboration
Trish North (based on Episode 7 of Counting Change Podcast) | 6 min read
Banks and Credit Unions often fall into the solution-shopping trap...
read moreJul 02, 2024
The Key to Unlocking Banking's Full Potential: An Infrastructure That Puts the Customer First
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
7 min read | Published on Linkedin
Picture a future where every financial transaction is as seamless as buying a book on Amazon...
read moreAscent in the news
Jun 14, 2024
How data platform Ascent leverages CUSO and corporate VC investors to expand into credit unions.
Zachary Miller on Tearsheet | 6 min read
In a world where capital is a commodity, specialist financial services investors are able to offer something generalist investors can't...
read moreMay 28, 2024
Leadership Lessons from the Quiet Genius of Carlo Ancelotti
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
6 min read | Published on Linkedin
In the high-stakes, high-pressure world of elite sports, leadership takes on an outsized importance...
read moreMay 14, 2024
Revolutionizing Banking CX: A Blueprint for Empowerment & Efficiency
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
7 min read | Published on Linkedin
We've all been there. That dreaded moment...
read moreMay 6, 2024
Navigating the DeepmindField - How to cut through the noise of AI in the media
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/08_Drew.png)
Drew Lyall
7 min read | Published on Linkedin
Regardless of where you source your news, chances are you will have seen at least a few articles lately about AI...
read moreApr 30, 2024
The Invisible Form: Reimagining Customer Experiences
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Arjun Sahgal
6 min read | Published on Linkedin
Whether it's a medical questionnaire, a loan application, or a software registration, the experience is often painfully inefficient and impersonal...
read moreApr 16, 2024
Burn the Box: Sparking a CX Revolution for Community Banks
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
6 min read | Published on Linkedin
A clarion call echoes through the halls of credit unions and community banks: It's time to move beyond incremental evolution...
read moreApr 4, 2024
Massive Untapped Potential: Empowering Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
6 min read | Published on Linkedin
One in four adults—roughly 61 million Americans—has a disability...
read moreMar 19, 2024
The Loyalty Imperative: Seizing the Open Banking Moment for Credit Unions & Community Banks
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
5 min read | Published on Linkedin
“Open Banking” is an imminent disruption coming to the financial services industry...
read moreMar 5, 2024
Workforce UX Drives Productivity
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/01_Arjun.png)
Arjun Sahgal
5 min read | Published on Linkedin
Time and again, I've seen how antiquated software systems hinder their workforce's productivity and ability to innovate...
read moreFeb 27, 2024
Empowering Financial Futures
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/13_Glen.png)
Glen Fossella
5 min read | Published on Ascent
Feels like we're on the brink of a sea change... but this isn't just about making old processes faster or more user-friendly.
read moreJan 22, 2024
For BaaS Providers: Navigate Regulatory Challenges and Drive Profitable Growth using Ascent
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Glen Fossella
5 min read | Published on Ascent
Jan 21, 2024
CFPB Rule 1033: Don't Just Comply - Compete and Win
![](ascentassets/img/people_avatars/13_Glen.png)
Glen Fossella
5 min read | Published on Ascent
The financial services landscape is undergoing a transformative shift with the pending arrival of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Rule 1033...
read more