Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win
by OpenBrand
Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win is a podcast for the leaders shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features intimate conversations with senior executives and industry thought leaders, unpacking the strategy behind how financial brands compete, grow, and earn share of wallet.
Episodes
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Advice to Banks From a Money Expert: Interview with Matt Schulz of LendingTree
In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree and author of "Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More," about what banks and card issuers can learn from consumers who are more informed and empowered than ever.Matt explains how comparison...
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The Future Is Embedded: Interview with Scott Kazmierowicz, CEO of Cardless
In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Scott Kazmierowicz, CEO and co-founder of Cardless, about how embedded finance is changing the relationship between brands, credit cards, and consumers. Scott shares how Cardless has evolved from powering co-branded cards to helping brands own the...
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From Points to Access: Interview with Prashant Sharma, Head of Rewards Cards & Loyalty at Citi
In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Prashant Sharma, Head of Rewards Cards and Loyalty at Citi, about how loyalty is moving beyond points to access and experiences. Prashant joined Citi after leading the SkyMiles program at Delta. Before that he headed credit cards at CIBC, one of...
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This is Behind The Playbook: A Podcast Covering How Financial Brands Win
Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win is a podcast for the leaders shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features intimate conversations with senior executives and industry thought leaders, unpacking the strategy behind how financial brands compete, grow, and earn share…
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Balancing Mission, Scale and Risk: Interview with Brian Jones, President, Merrick Bank
Note: This episode originally aired on May 19, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Brian Jones, President of Merrick Bank, about how to grow a business while staying true to its mission. Brian shares his career journey, with…
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Leading a Brand Through Change: Interview with Melissa Stevens, CMO of Fifth Third Bank
Note: This episode originally aired on April 9, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Melissa Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer at Fifth Third Bank, about the strategic acquisition of Comerica and what it means for brand…
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The Future of Insurance Affordability
Note: This episode originally aired on March 9, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson, Comperemedia expert Kendall Gadie, and industry veteran Marty Ellingsworth delve into the current insurance affordability crisis, exploring the factors driving rising...
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Leading Customer-Centric Change: Interview with Krista Phillips, Chief Customer Officer at M&T Bank
Note: This episode originally aired on February 5, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson welcomes Krista Phillips, M&T Bank's first Chief Customer Officer, back to the podcast. Krista shares her journey and insights into the evolving role of customer...
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Barclays’ Doug Villone on What’s Next for Co-Brand Partnerships
Note: This episode originally aired on December 22, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson and Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships at Barclays discuss the evolving landscape of credit card usage and the potential future partnerships that may shape...
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Inside United’s Co-Brand Strategy: A Conversation with Bob Daly
Note: This episode originally aired on December 15, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Go inside United Airlines’ co-brand strategy with host Andrew Davidson and Bob Daly, Managing Director of Global Co-Brand Cards. In this episode, we break down United’s recent card relaunch...
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What Premium Really Means Now: A Conversation with Citi’s Pam Habner
Note: This episode originally aired on October 21, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Pam Habner, Head of US Branded Cards and Lending at Citi, about the launch of the Strata Elite Card and its strategic positioning in the competitive credit...
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Rewarding Car Payments: Interview with Fasten founder Jacob Zachs
Note: This episode originally aired on October 13, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Jacob Zachs, founder and CEO of Fasten Rewards, about the innovative Fasten Rewards Visa credit card, which uniquely offers points on auto-related expenses...
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Inside Subprime Credit: Interview with David Johnson, CEO of Vervent
Note: This episode originally aired on October 6, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson is joined by David Johnson, CEO of Vervent, to explore the company’s journey from a specialist provider to a global force in financial services. They unpack how economic...
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Inside the Upgrade Card: Interview with Sumit Agarwal, Head of Cards at Upgrade
Note: This episode originally aired on September 2, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson sits down with Sumit Agarwal, Head of Cards at Upgrade, to unpack the strategy behind one of the most distinctive products in cards. Sumit explains how the Upgrade Card...
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Credit Card Transformation: Interview with Adam Boyd, Head of Consumer Lending at Citizens
Note: This episode originally aired on August 14, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Adam Boyd, Head of Consumer Lending at Citizens, about the bank's strategic shift in its credit card offerings. The discussion covers the rationale behind the...
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Building Financial Futures for Gen Z: Interview with CJ MacDonald, Founder and CEO of Step
Note: This episode originally aired on July 23, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with CJ MacDonald, Founder and CEO of Step, a fintech company focused on providing financial services tailored for Gen Z. They discuss the inspiration behind Step…
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Membership and Trust in Disruptive Financial Products: Interview with Meera Iyer, CMO of SoFi Lending
Note: This episode originally aired on July 11, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Meera Iyer, CMO of SoFi Lending, about the innovative strategies and products that SoFi is implementing to disrupt the financial services industry. Listen to…
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Rewarding Financial Responsibility: Interview with Nate Bacon, Head of Consumer & Small Business Credit Cards at PNC
Note: This episode originally aired on June 25, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Nate Bacon, head of consumer and small business credit cards at PNC, about the bank's evolution from a regional player to a national competitor, particularly in...
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Accessible Credit Solutions: Interview with Self Financial CEO Julie Szudarek
Note: This episode originally aired on April 7, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Julie Szudarek, CEO of Self Financial, about accessible credit solutions for consumers facing financial challenges. Listen to the discussion about innovative...
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Rewarding Homeowners: Interview with Mesa Co-Founder and CEO Kelley Halpin
Note: This episode originally aired on January 31, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson interviews Kelley Halpin, co-founder and CEO of Mesa, about the innovative Mesa Homeowners Card, which rewards homeowners for their mortgage payments and other...
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Brand transformation: Interview with Bread Financial’s CMO Nick Antonelli
Note: This episode originally aired on January 6, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson sits down with Nick Antonelli, Chief Marketing Officer from Bread Financial, to talk about the strategies for building brand awareness, and the diversification of…
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Buy Now Pay Later: Interview with Zip’s CMO Jinal Shah
Note: This episode originally aired on November 13, 2024 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson sits down with Jinal Shah, GM, Shopping & CMO at Zip, to talk about the growth and evolution of the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) sector. Listen as they discuss BNPL’s…
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The Future of Travel Credit Cards with Citi: Interview with Anthony Merola
Note: This episode originally aired on October 18, 2024 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In today's episode, host Andrew Davidson sits down with Anthony Merola, Head of Proprietary Products for Citi Branded Cards, to discuss Citi's vision for its credit card products and the…
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Future of Credit Cards: Interview with Krista Phillips, CMO, Consumer Lending at Wells Fargo
Note: This episode originally aired on August 23, 2024 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In today's episode, host Andrew Davidson sits down with Krista Phillips, CMO for Consumer Lending at Wells Fargo, to discuss the competitive credit card marketing landscape, including…
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Fintech and Co-Branding with Cardless Co-Founder Michael Spelfogel
Note: This episode originally aired on October 30, 2023 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Michael Spelfogel, Cardless Co-founder and President, at Money20/20 USA to discuss co-branded credit cards, brand partnerships and industry challenges for...
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Rewarded for a Healthy Lifestyle: Interview with Ness CEO Derek Flanzraich
Note: This episode originally aired on September 6, 2023 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson interviews Ness CEO and Founder Derek Flanzraich on the health and wellness positioning of the Ness credit card, entrepreneurship and industry challenges. Additional...
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Live from Money 2020: Interview with Navy Federal CMO Pam Piligian
Note: This episode originally aired on October 26, 2022 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In this special episode, host Andrew Davidson sits down with Pam Piligian, CMO, Navy Federal Credit Union, live at the Money 20/20 conference - the largest global fintech event enabling...
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How Sustainability Is Disrupting Financial Services: Interview with Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny
Note: This episode originally aired on November 13, 2024 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson and Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny discuss the societal shift that's occurring as consumers shop more consciously and things like the environment and ethics play an...
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Building Rewards for Renters: Interview with Bilt Founder Ankur Jain
Note: This episode originally aired on August 23, 2021 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In this episode host Andrew Davidson sits down with entrepreneur and investor Ankur Jain to discuss his latest project—an innovative, new loyalty program and co-branded credit card called…
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About this show
Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win is a podcast for the leaders shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features intimate conversations with senior executives and industry thought leaders, unpacking the strategy behind how financial brands compete, grow, and earn share of wallet.
Hosted by
OpenBrand
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