Planning an online banking upgrade? Don’t overlook your communication strategy. In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Nida Ajaz break down the internal and external communication tactics that make or break a successful online banking conversion. From prepping staff before launch to segmenting member messaging and creating clear timelines, this episode is packed with insights for credit unions and banks preparing for digital upgrades.

Key Takeaways:

Start with internal alignment. Before any public announcement, make sure your staff is trained, confident, and equipped with FAQs, escalation forms, and clear timelines, preferably all housed on a centralized internal hub.

Segment your external outreach. Focus first on your existing online banking users with frequent, multi-channel updates. Save the broader promotional push for post-launch when the platform is stable.

Create a thoughtful member experience. Incorporate surprise-and-delight elements, like contests or giveaways, and make information easy to find through a clean, updated landing page to minimize call center volume.

Too often, "data-driven marketing" gets tossed around without real meaning. In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock dig into what it actually looks like for banks and credit unions to use data in ways that drive real results. From identifying where leads fall off to improving digital journeys and aligning marketing with lending, this conversation is packed with practical ways to turn insight into action.

Key Takeaways:

• Reporting on data isn’t the same as using it. Real data-driven marketing means identifying where people are falling off and making changes that move the needle.
• If your digital journey is confusing or outdated (especially mobile applications), you’re losing leads before they even have a chance to convert.
• Core and transaction data can unlock hyper-targeted marketing. You don’t need a data scientist to make it work. Tools today can bring that power straight to your marketing team.

In this closing episode of 2025, Meredith Olmsted and Danielle Fancher take a step away from typical digital marketing conversations to talk about something every professional faces sooner or later. What do we do when life goes completely sideways? From personal health challenges to unexpected moments of generosity, this conversation is a reminder that gratitude, vulnerability, and reflection shape us just as much as strategy, KPIs, and campaign results. Their stories show how adversity can strengthen connection, build resilience, and create more grounded leaders inside credit unions, community banks, and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• Redirection can be a gift even when it feels like a setback: Danielle’s diagnosis forced a reset and showed her the power of slowing down, reassessing priorities, and choosing growth over fear. Gratitude often comes from the moments we never planned.
• Small acts of generosity can reshape how we show up: Meredith’s volunteer story is a reminder that those with the least often give the most. Simple acts of kindness create ripple effects and show that leadership is also about lifting others.
• Vulnerability builds stronger teams and stronger humans: Being open and imperfect has strengthened connections across the FI GROW team. Letting people support you builds trust and proves that a human connection is still the core of strong collaboration.

AI is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean your content has to sound like a robot wrote it. In Episode 106 of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Sophie Bawany break down how financial marketers can use AI tools to save time while still creating real, engaging content that sounds human.

Key Takeaways:

Use AI to streamline, not to replace: AI is a powerful tool for idea generation, scheduling, and research. But it should never create final content on its own. Real stories, emotional nuance, and the right tone still need a human touch.

Authenticity builds trust with your audience: If your content feels robotic or too polished, members will notice. The most effective posts come from a mix of structure and spontaneity. Review, edit, and personalize AI-generated content to make it sound like your brand.

Be transparent about how you use AI: Don’t hide the fact that you're using AI. Instead, frame it as a way to work more efficiently and spend more time connecting with real people. When used with intention, AI can actually enhance the human side of your marketing.

In Episode 105 of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Ads Director Ida Burr dive into how banks and credit unions can make smarter digital ad decisions heading into 2026. From rising competition to AI placements and budget strategy, this episode is packed with quick tips to help you get more from your marketing dollars.

Key Takeaways:

• Conversion Volume Matters: Campaigns need at least 20 conversions every 30 days to fully optimize and reduce cost-per-acquisition.
• Budget Gaps Cost You Clicks: Use the "Impression Lost to Budget" metric in Google Ads to spot where you’re missing potential traffic.
• AI Max = More Visibility: Enabling AI Max can improve placement near AI-generated summaries without compromising compliance.

In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, CEO Meredith Olmstead is joined by Digital Marketing Director Rebecca Gwaltney to break down the top five branding mistakes that banks and credit unions should avoid. From inconsistent logos to outdated visuals and confusing calls-to-action, they share practical tips and simple fixes that can help financial institutions present a more cohesive, modern, and trustworthy brand. Whether you're building a new website or refreshing your ads, this conversation is packed with branding insights you can apply right away.

Key Takeaways:

• Inconsistent Branding: Varying colors, fonts, and logos across platforms confuse your audience and erode trust. Establish and enforce a brand guide across departments.
• Overcomplicated Logos: Logos must be flexible across all digital placements. Create simplified versions for small screens and social icons.
• Generic Stock Photos: Relying on generic imagery weakens emotional connection. Use real team members or layered graphics to add personality.

In this new episode of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead sits down with Nida Ajaz, FI GROW’s Senior VP of Marketing, to discuss how micro surveys: short, one or two-question polls can deliver powerful insights for credit unions and community banks. They explain why these simple tools are especially valuable in an AI-driven search environment and how they can help financial institutions personalize member experiences, improve content strategies, and identify hot leads faster.

Key Takeaways:

• Micro surveys capture real-time member insights with just one or two questions
• These small data points help personalize journeys and improve content strategy
• Embedding surveys across email, web, and social helps gather ongoing feedback