x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions

FI GROW Solutions

FI GROW Solutions is a partner agency that works with credit unions and community banks to help drive growth and sales. We think bank marketing is broken! We decided to "Hit Record" during our strategic conversations around what"s working for our partners, to share with other bank and credit union marketers and executives. If you"re looking for best practices for your bank or credit union, join us while we talk all things sales, marketing and strategy for financial institutions!

business marketing

All Episodes

9:06

Episode 113 - Make Sure Your PPC Campaigns Are As...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2026/03/30

Most digital ad campaigns for banks and credit unions are not underperforming because of budget. They are underperforming because of how conversions are tracked. In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Ida Burr break down a simple but powerful tactic using custom goals in Google Ads to improve campaign accuracy, optimize for real results, and better understand the full application journey. Key Takeaways: 1. Custom goals create more accurate campaign optimization. Instead of relying on ...

en-us

14:34

Episode 112 - Guest Podcast with Clare Fallon from...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2026/03/16

Artificial intelligence is changing how financial institutions operate, but the real opportunity is not replacing people. It is empowering them. In this conversation, Meredith Olmstead sits down with HubSpot Partner Development Manager Clare Fallon to explore how AI is reshaping marketing, onboarding, and member engagement for credit unions and community banks. From abandoned applications to personalized onboarding journeys, the discussion highlights how institutions can combine automation an...

en-us

11:58

Episode 111 - The Follow-Up Failure That’s Killing...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2026/03/03

Marketing is not the problem if your loans are not closing. In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Danielle Fancher unpack why campaigns fail when sales follow-up falls short. From abandoned applications to speed to lead and revenue opportunities hiding in plain sight, this conversation connects the dots between marketing performance and lending execution. Key Takeaways: 1. Marketing does not fail. Follow up does. Many financial institutions assume they need more leads when results slow do...

en-us

11:09

Episode 110 - Built on Data - How Financial...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2026/02/18

en-us

11:32

Episode 109 - Making the Switch - How to Lead a...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2026/01/26

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 inte...

en-us

14:29

Episode 108 - What does data driven marketing for...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2026/01/05

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...

en-us

10:55

Episode 107 - Life Lessons and a Year of Gratitude

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/12/10

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 s...

en-us

10:48

Episode 106 - AI and Social Media How to Use It...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/11/26

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 n...

en-us

12:40

Episode 105 - Digital Ad Tips for the End of 2025 and...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/11/12

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 Yo...

en-us

13:00

Episode 104 - Top 5 Branding Mistakes You Can Easily...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/10/22

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 conversat...

en-us

11:25

Episode 103 - Using Tiny Questions to Drive Huge...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/10/07

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. Ke...

en-us

12:20

Episode 102 - Application Abandonment Done Right -...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/09/24

In this new episode, Meredith Olmstead sits down with Taylor Malm, Senior Marketing Strategist at P1FCU, to uncover an unconventional yet highly effective approach to application abandonment campaigns. Using HubSpot and MeridianLink, Taylor shares how his team engineered a smart workaround that boosted loan and deposit completion rates significantly, without relying on traditional form captures. Key Takeaways: Track with Purpose: Use custom event tracking between MeridianLink and HubSp...

en-us

10:27

Episode 101 - User Generated vs Employee Generated...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/09/09

Authenticity is the new currency in social media. In our latest blog episode, CEO Meredith Olmstead sits down with Sophie Bawany to break down the difference between User-Generated Content (UGC) and Employee-Generated Content (EGC). Learn why both matter, how to integrate them into your content strategy, and how they can help your credit union or bank stay relatable, trustworthy, and top of mind—without breaking the budget. Key Takeaways: UGC builds trust from the outside. Real c...

en-us

14:46

Episode 100 - Top Takeaways from 4 years and 100...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/08/21

We’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Hit Record Podcast with a special roundtable discussion featuring Meredith Olmstead, Nida Ajaz, Kristin Mock, and Sophie Bawany. From how the podcast started to our team’s favorite episodes over the years, we’re reflecting on the trends that haven’t changed—and the tactics that still move the needle for credit unions and banks. Whether it’s email strategy, branded search ads, or being human on social media, this episode is packed with timeless insights fo...

en-us

11:47

Episode 99 - Is your financial institution missing...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/08/13

In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock discuss a critical and often overlooked opportunity for financial institutions: capturing leads before they drop off during the application process. They explore how simple lead forms, automation, and thoughtful follow-up can recover lost revenue and boost funded loans without burdening your team.

en-us

13:09

Episode 98 - 2025 Instagram Myths BUSTED for Banks...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/07/15

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Sophie Bawany tackle common myths about using Instagram for banks and credit unions. From replying to comments to using hashtags wisely, they share what actually works to boost engagement without burning out your team. Key Takeaways: Replying Still Matters: Responding to comments and direct messages can increase reach by up to 35 percent. Even quick replies help build trust and loyalty.Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Posting two or three stro...

en-us

15:14

Episode 97 - Top 2025 Digital Ad Trends for Banks and...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/07/01

In this new episode of the FI GROW podcast, Meredith Olmstead and Ida Burr break down what’s changing in digital ads for credit unions and community banks; from seasonality shifts to personal loan trends and the real numbers you need to hit for optimized conversions. Tune in for practical strategies to spend smarter and stay competitive. Key Takeaways: Seasonality is Out the Window: Consumer behavior has shifted, follow the data, not the old calendar.Conversions Drive Optimization: No matter ...

en-us

12:56

Episode 96 - Tips for Growing the Marketing Budget at...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/06/18

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and Kristin Mock break down how credit unions and community banks can advocate for bigger, smarter marketing budgets. From connecting marketing efforts to core data to shifting the mindset from "expense" to "investment," they share actionable tips to align your budget with real growth goals. Key Takeaways: Data Changes the Conversation: Connecting your core and marketing systems can prove that marketing drives revenue, not just impressions.Budget Shouldn’t B...

en-us

12:38

Episode 95 - How to Make Complex Financial Topics...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/06/04

In this episode, Meredith Olmstead and social strategist Sophie Bawany share how credit unions and banks can make financial content actually work on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. From simplifying the message to embracing real, behind-the-scenes moments—this episode is your cheat sheet for Gen Z engagement. Key Takeaways: Simplify to Amplify - To engage younger audiences, financial institutions must strip away jargon and break complex topics into digestible, relatable bites—think “Part ...

en-us

16:04

Episode 94 - Setting the Stage for More Success with...

Hit Record Podcast - FI GROW Solutions ·

2025/05/20

Cross-selling at community banks and credit unions doesn't have to feel like sales—it should feel like service. In this episode of the Hit Record Podcast, FI GROW CEO Meredith Olmstead and Director of Sales Danielle Fancher unpack real-world strategies for creating authentic, high-impact cross-selling efforts. From live chat and automation to frontline staff training and data-driven segmentation, this episode is a deep dive into how to serve more deeply, not just sell more. Key Takeaways: S...

en-us

113 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...