In this episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina Bleedorn and Juliet D’Ambrosio welcome Tansley Stearns, President and CEO of orsa credit union and leader of the Backbone Coalition, for a compelling conversation on the power of storytelling to elevate awareness and expand impact across the credit union movement. Tansley shares how a collaborative, purpose-driven approach is helping credit unions move beyond being the “best kept secret” and into a more visible, vital role in Americans’ financial lives. From building a national coalition to leading a bold rebrand, she offers a candid look at how storytelling – when treated as a true business driver – can amplify reach, reshape perception, and ultimately help more people access the financial support they need in times of challenge and change.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of Believe in Banking, Juliet D’Ambrosio sits down with Bill Crane, Chief Production Officer at Beginnings Credit Union, to explore what it truly takes to lead transformational change. Bill shares the inside story of guiding CFCU Community Credit Union through a comprehensive rebrand – from research and stakeholder engagement to culture alignment and community activation – culminating in the launch of Beginnings Credit Union. With more than two decades at the organization, Bill offers a candid look at balancing legacy with growth, engaging younger generations, and building stakeholder buy-in at every level of the organization. It’s an inspiring conversation about committed leadership, listening to data, and why thoughtful change can energize an entire organization around what’s possible.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina Bleedorn and Juliet D’Ambrosio explore defining forces for banking in 2026: focus, precision, and execution. Drawing on Adrenaline’s industry research, client conversations, and market activity, they discuss how banks and credit unions are navigating increased M&A momentum, rising customer expectations, and growing pressure to deliver ROI across brand, branch, and customer experience. Their conversation explores why branches provide value for digitally native generations like Gen Z, how brand strategy provides the foundation for success, and the risk in M&A of treating integration as an afterthought. From consolidation and branch optimization to personalization and AI, Gina and Juliet share practical insights on essential strategies and investments to build relevance, resilience, and long-term value for banking and credit unions in 2026.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm