From Legacy to Leadership: CTO Adam Kinnard on Building the Future of Credit Unions

What does it take to drive technology transformation in community banking? In this episode of The Outlier Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Adam Kinnard, Chief Technology Officer at Royal Credit Union, to unpack nearly 25 years of leadership at the intersection of fintech innovation and mission-driven impact.Adam shares perspective on the evolution of the CTO role, balancing rapid digital change with the need for security and compliance, and how Royal Credit Union leverages AI, data, and partnerships to deliver frictionless member experiences. Dive in for candid stories about breaking free from legacy mindsets, why culture beats credentials in hiring, and what disruptive technologies loom largest for the future of finance.🌟 Subscribe for more in-depth interviews with industry leaders on banking, fintech, and tech culture.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:36 Adam’s journey at Royal Credit Union05:40 CTO as bridge-builder & innovator10:20 Innovation, risk, and compliance in practice13:10 Real-world uses of data and AI18:40 Digital transformation highlights at Royal21:10 Buy, build, or partner? Strategic choices23:45 Hiring & building mission-driven teams25:53 Most disruptive technology in banking29:11 Key takeaways & wrap-up#TechLeadership #Fintech #CreditUnion #AIinBanking #DigitalTransformation #RoyalCreditUnion #Podcast