Welcome to the NextGen Banker Podcast
Technology has created unprecedented opportunities in the banking industry over the last decade. And at the same time, consumers have renewed their expectations around how financial institutions – and, for that matter, corporations in general – should respond to pressing social issues.
The next generation of bankers needs to be technologically savvy and look for opportunities to create environmental, social and financial sustainability. Listen as host David Reiling talks with the changemakers responsible for creating a financial sector that’s more diverse, values-driven and better-equipped to support all consumers.
Episode #12: Charlene Li
Featuring: Charlene Li
Charlene Li is a New York Times Bestselling author focused on disruption: What it is, how companies can become more disruptive and what that means for organizations and their culture. Charlene’s book, The Disruption Mindset,” homes in on the topic and debunks some preconceived notions about what true disruption looks like. Every company wants to be disruptive – but how can they turn their aspirations into action? Charlene talks with David about what makes a disruptive strategy, the importance of company culture when it comes to disruption and how bankers can incorporate innovation into their long-term strategies. Featuring music from Doublepluspop.
ListenEpisode #11: Jasmin Panjeta
Featuring: Jasmin Panjeta
Jasmin Panjeta started his career in cybersecurity but quickly learned it wasn’t for him. What he did know, however, was that he wanted to work for an organization that valued more than the bottom line. Enter Jasmin’s journey in values-based banking. Today Jasmin is a communications and public relations professional working for Oikocredit, a worldwide cooperative that focuses on microfinance and impact investing. Jasmin talks with guest hosts Becca Hoeft and Bryan Toft about his move from Bosnia to the Netherlands, finding purpose in his work and the effect your banking habits can have on the greater good. Featuring music from Chris Taylor.
ListenEpisode #10: The Banking Habits of Gen Z
Featuring: Becca Hoeft, Bryan Toft
We know that the next generation wants fast, easy access to their bank accounts - and that they rarely, if ever, set food inside a physical bank branch. But aside from convenience, what other concerns does Gen Z have when it comes to their personal finances? We went to local universities to talk with students about their perspectives on digital banking, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity and how they envision the bank of their future. Sunrise Banks Chief Brand Officer Becca Hoeft and Chief Revenue Officer Bryan Toft sit in for David in this episode. Featuring music from Holly Nelson.
ListenEpisode #9: Darrin Williams
Featuring: Darrin Williams
Darrin Williams' career is a unique combination of business, law, and politics. Currently serving as the CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc., Williams oversees the strategic direction and operations of each of Southern's three Community Development Financial Instituations (CDFI): Southern Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company; Southern Bancorp Bank, one of America's largest rural development banks; and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) development finance and lending organization - collectively known as "Southern." Darrin talks with David about his work at Southern, the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and why it's a great time to be a CDFI. Featuring music from Greyson Turner.
ListenEpisode #8: Melissa Koide
Featuring: Melissa Koide
Melissa Koide is the CEO of FinRegLab, a nonprofit research center that tests new technologies and data and facilitates dialogue to inform public policy and drive the financial sector toward a responsible and inclusive financial marketplace. FinRegLab is focusing on big questions surrounding data and Artificial Intelligence: How should it be regulated? How can it help consumers? What risks does it pose? Melissa talks with David about what tomorrow’s banker needs to know about AI and emerging tech in the financial sector. Featuring music from Daniel Benyamin.
ListenEpisode #5: Jennifer Tescher
Featuring: Jennifer Tescher
Jennifer Tescher is an expert on financial health and the founder of the Financial Health Network. Jennifer talks with David about how to define and measure financial health as well as what role banks and fintechs can play in ensuring consumers reach their financial goals.
ListenMore from David Reiling
Concerns over the Regulatory Environment Facing Banks
Addressing Racial Equity in a Time of Crisis

Sunrise Banks CEO David Reiling Named Chair of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values

Fintech for Good: Five Innovators Changing the Banking World

Fintech4Good
What does it mean to succeed in the business world?
The traditional definition of success usually entails a corporate structure based on earnings and earnings alone, without much thought put into what’s been given back. This model tends to think of a company’s mission and profit margin as being mutually exclusive.
At Sunrise, we believe the opposite: By being mission-focused and helping others, companies can do even better financially — mission times margin.
This belief is what prompted Sunrise CEO David Reiling to write his new book, Fintech4Good. The book chronicles five financial technology entrepreneurs who saw issues of economic inequality first-hand and created products to fix them.
Touching on the student loan crisis, credit-building roadblocks for refugees and the lack of small-loan options for the average American, Fintech4Good explores financial technology (fintech) and its myriad possibilities to affect positive change.
Fintech4Good is available on Amazon.

About David
David Reiling is an innovative social entrepreneur focused on empowering individuals through community banking and financial technology. David is the Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Banks and has been in the community development banking industry for more than 25 years.
David believes that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive. Under David’s leadership, Sunrise has financially outperformed banks of the same size while also providing products and services that help low-income individuals in the Twin Cities Metro achieve financial wellness.
David has spoken at conferences around the world and is the author of Fintech4Good.