Axos Bank is one of the OG digital banks, but how do they stay ahead in a world where every financial institution is going digital?

In this episode of The Bank Tellers, Zach Anderson Pettet sits down with Michael Pfau, Chief Digital Officer at Axos Bank, to dive into the future of digital banking, how to balance innovation with efficiency, and why being uncomfortable is the key to growth.

Topics Covered:
-The challenge of running a branchless, digital-first bank
-How Axos builds and scales its own tech to stay ahead
-The secret sauce behind Axos’ efficiency and customer experience
-What it takes to be a successful Chief Digital Officer in today’s fintech world
-Lessons from Michael’s time in the Navy and consulting that shaped his leadership

Axos Bank:

https://www.axosbank.com/

Follow Michael:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pfau-bb03493/

Follow Money20/20:
YouTube: @Money2020Tv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/money2020/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/money20_20
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Money2020
X: https://www.twitter.com/Money2020
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@money20_20

On the latest episode of The Bank Tellers, Zach Anderson Pettet, VP, Fintech Strategy at Money20/20, sits down with Erica Khalili, the Chief Legal & Risk Officer at Lead Bank.

This unfiltered and honest convo dives into the bank’s transformation from a traditional community bank to a fintech-forward institution.

Erica shares the unique journey that led her and her co-founders—who come from tech, data science, and fintech backgrounds—to acquire Lead Bank. She explains why they saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between fintech and banking and how they’re working to make bank-fintech partnerships more transparent, efficient, and scalable.

Key topics include:
- Why banks and fintechs often struggle to work together—and how to fix it
- The role of AI and automation in compliance, risk management, and fraud detection
- Whether fintechs should actually pursue bank charters or just partner with banks instead
- How regulatory uncertainty is shaping the future of embedded finance
- How fintech thinking is reshaping traditional banking

Plus, tune in for the real debate: Who has the best BBQ in Kansas City?!

Lead Bank
https://www.lead.bank/
Follow Erica
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-khalili-48138570/

Follow Money20/20:
YouTube: @Money2020Tv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/money2020/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/money20_20
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Money2020
X: https://www.twitter.com/Money2020
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@money20_20

In this special edition of The Bank Tellers, we’re diving deep into the world of credit unions with Dietrich Kuhlmann, President & CEO of Navy Federal Credit Union—the world’s largest credit union.

Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20, caught up with Dietrich to discuss:

-The evolution of Navy Federal and its mission to serve military members & families
-How Navy Federal has NEVER had a single layoff in 91 years
-The role of digital transformation & AI in personalizing member experiences
-The future of credit unions and their impact on financial services
-Dietrich’s leadership philosophy and the best career advice he’s ever received

Tune in for an exclusive look at how Navy Federal Credit Union is redefining financial management for service members and their families.

Navy Federal Credit Union:
https://www.navyfederal.org/
Follow Dietrich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dietrich-kuhlmann-b055a216/

Follow Money20/20:
YouTube: @Money2020Tv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/money2020/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/money20_20
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Money2020
X: https://www.twitter.com/Money2020
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@money20_20