RO-AR Podcast Summary

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways Many organisations are worried about falling behind on AI, but most are still at an early stage of practical adoption. AI adoption is highly uneven within firms: some employees are experimenting actively, while others have not yet used available tools such as Copilot. The biggest issue is not always access to AI tools, but knowing what to do with them and how to apply them safely. AI adoption is following a… Read more

Access the full podcast series here   Key Take Aways Affordability has always been a challenge, but the current environment is described as a “perfect storm” of high costs, economic pressure, vulnerability, health issues and inadequate support. People continue to miss out on billions of pounds of financial support every year. Work no longer guarantees financial security for many households; earning an income may still not be enough to cover costs or support an enjoyable life. The traditional social contract —… Read more

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways Alternative lenders are facing a layered pressure environment, rather than a single dominant regulatory or economic challenge. The sector serves customers who are often poorly served, or not served at all, by mainstream lenders. Affordability pressure has not disappeared, despite the UK moving away from the sharp shocks of the pandemic, energy crisis, supply chain disruption and Ukraine-related impacts. Regulatory uncertainty is a major strategic risk, particularly where firms may face… Read more

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways Payment innovation fails when the industry assumes that “build it and they will come” is sufficient; adoption requires consumer awareness, trust and clear communication. Direct Debit remains a highly resilient payment method because it is well understood, trusted, embedded in biller systems and supported by a robust consumer guarantee. The success of Direct Debit was not only technical; it was also a coordinated marketing and branding exercise across banks, billers and… Read more

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways AI is no longer just a hype topic; organisations are moving into a more practical implementation phase focused on business cases, investment cases and specific use cases. Digital transformation remains fundamentally a change management challenge. AI does not remove the need to get people to adopt new tools, use them properly and work differently. Senior leaders should treat AI as a powerful tool, not a form of magic. It can accelerate… Read more

Access the full podcast series here Key Take Aways Matt Bland has returned to the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) as Chief Executive after previous experience in the industry. Credit unions face significant challenges in growth due to current economic conditions, including inflation and increased competition from FinTechs. The experience gained at the Money Co-op has informed Matt’s leadership approach and understanding of the sector’s challenges. Demand for credit unions’ services remains high, particularly among low-income individuals, yet supply… Read more