In this first episode of our commercial banking takeover, JP Nicols of Alloy Labs joins guest host Alex Jimenez to explain how commercial banks can move beyond superficial innovation efforts and start delivering real business outcomes. Learn how frameworks like FIRE™, strategic partnerships, and cultural alignment can transform innovation into a true growth engine. Practical, proven, and no fluff.

Curious how your institution can operationalize innovation? Dive deeper into transformation insights at our content hub featuring blogs, whitepapers, and more.

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Follow us on LinkedIn:

-> Backbase

-> Alex Jimenez

-> JP Nicols

-> Alloy Labs

Timestamps

(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” commercial banking takeover

(01:01) – What mid-sized & community banks get wrong about innovation

(01:54) – Irrelevance risk: the biggest threat to banks today

(04:00) – Modernizing for the digital-first generation

(06:27) – Recurring challenges for scaling commercial growth

(07:56) – The FIRE™ process

(09:45) – Strategic fintech partnerships as a growth enabler

(14:28) – Falling short of innovation goals

(18:29) – Shifting away from “innovation theater”

(24:33) – Getting buy-in from the boardroom/leadership

(26:56) – What does “growth mode” look like for commercial banks

(32:26) – First areas to focus on in commercial banking modernization

(34:54) – The mindset shift in commercial banking

(40:12) – Expense reimbursement for employees

(42:24) – Episode wrap-up

Episode 66 of Banking Reinvented shares the story of Société Générale de Banque au Liban (SGBL), a Lebanon-based bank that has been successfully navigating an unprecedented economic crisis through strategic digital transformation.

Host Tim Rutten is joined by Sleiman Louis Marouii, Deputy General Manager at SGBL, for an in-depth discussion about how implementing a digital banking platform on top of an existing legacy core allowed SGBL to weather financial turbulence and remain relevant to its customers across the region.

Tune in to hear more about adapting a customer-centric approach to banking, prioritizing financial inclusion for younger generations, and seizing the opportunity that AI presents.

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Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking?

Follow us on LinkedIn:

-> Backbase

-> Jouk Pleiter

-> Tim Rutten

-> Sleiman Louis Marouii

-> SGBL

Step into the future of finance -> Check out our content hub

Timestamps

(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast

(01:09) – Introduction to Sleiman and SGBL

(04:30) – Navigating the financial crisis in Lebanon

(09:53) – Modernizing a digital infrastructure

(11:52) – Simultaneous core migration and digital transformation

(14:43) – Implementing a platform on top of an existing legacy core

(17:47) – Co-innovating on a digital banking platform

(22:03) – Appealing to unbanked younger generations

(24:24) – Competing against neobanks

(27:08) – Dealing with complications and delays

(31:15) – Future outlook for SGBL

(32:42) – SGBL’s approach to AI adoption

(35:15) – Key takeaways

(36:47) – Final words and episode wrap-up

Recorded live at Backbase ENGAGE Americas, episode 65 of Banking Reinvented is a panel discussion that covers one of the most human questions in digital transformation: how do we scale innovation not just through technology, but through people?

In this episode, moderator Robert Soetens is joined by some of North America’s banking leaders, including T.J. Steele (Eastern Bank), Christina Buono (National Bank of Canada), and Judith Henderson (WSECU). They discuss how real transformation is driven by having a growth mindset, not just tech modernization. Because — as they note — in the long run, having the right people in place can be just as important as investing in a digital banking platform.

Tune in to hear how to create adaptive banking cultures that are curious, collaborative, and customer-obsessed.

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Curious to find out more about customer-centric banking?

Follow us on LinkedIn:

-> Backbase

-> Jouk Pleiter

-> Tim Rutten

-> T.J. Steele

-> Christina Buono

-> Judith Henderson

Step into the future of finance -> Check out our content hub

Timestamps

(00:00) – Welcome to the “Banking Reinvented” podcast

(00:46) – Introduction to topics and speakers

(02:56) – Leadership tips for increasing agility and growth

(05:19) – Measuring behavioral performance indicators

(06:44) – Helping employees adapt to cultural changes

(08:42) – Getting employees to buy in to change

(11:04) – Being a manager vs. being a coach/mentor

(16:22) – Working with those who are resistant to change

(18:15) – Cross-departmental change and communication

(24:43) – Key advice for leaders about mindset changes

(30:03) – Questions from the audience

(32:44) – Episode wrap-up