Jeff Fink Joins JAM FINTOP and Engage Partners Group on Webinar

The recent Bank + Fintech Partnerships webinar, co-hosted by Engage Partners Group and JAM FINTOP, brought together an all-star lineup of banking and fintech leaders to dive into what truly makes these collaborations thrive. The discussion was packed with practical strategies, timely insights, and plenty of real-world experience —all aimed at helping community banks and fintechs partner more effectively.

Key Takeaways from the Panel

1. ‍Aligning Internally for Stronger Outcomes
   Carie Kelly, of Claremont Savings Bank (NH), and Dan Ziniti, from Northern Bank (MA), emphasized the importance of internal alignment before diving into any fintech partnership. Understanding and agreeing on the “why” behind a partnership ensures everyone is pulling in the same direction and sets the stage for smoother execution.‍
2. Agility is Everything
   Both bankers stressed the value of having an agile framework. The ability to pivot and adapt—whether in technology, process, or mindset—is critical to maintaining momentum and ensuring long-term success.‍
3. Meeting Banks Where They Are
   The panel highlighted how important it is for tech partners to meet banks where they are in their digital transformation journey. Whether a bank is just starting out or already leveraging innovative tools, the best partnerships are those that complement the bank’s unique strategy and pace of change.

Fintech Perspective: From Vision to Execution

On the fintech side, Jeff Fink, Chief Product Officer at SRA Watchtower and former CEO and cofounder of Lumio Insight, joined Ryan Johnson of Monit to offer a roadmap for successful collaboration from the tech side.

1. ‍Stakeholder Alignment Before Launch
   Fink emphasized the need for proactive stakeholder alignment well before go-live. When fintechs take the time to understand and align with a bank’s internal teams—compliance, operations, customer service—they set the stage for smoother adoption and fewer roadblocks.‍
2. Driving Adoption Internally and Externally
   Johnson and Fink both highlighted strategies to optimize both internal and customer adoption, including effective training, clear communication, and a focus on user experience. Simply put, a solution only succeeds when it works for the people using it.

As the conversation made clear, successful bank-fintech partnerships are built on alignment, agility, and a shared commitment to progress. Whether you're a bank exploring new tech or a fintech aiming to better support your partners, the strategies shared in this webinar offer a strong foundation. Events like these continue to show how much we can accomplish when both sides come to the table with openness and a focus on long-term value. We’re looking forward to seeing how these insights turn into action in the months ahead.