Brooke Ybarra and I dive into the intricacies of innovation and transformation within the banking industry in this episode. She is currently SVP of Innovation and Strategy at the American Bankers Association (ABA). Brooke shares her unique career journey, starting with the CIA, strategy consulting, a significant corporate role during the pandemic, and finally her impactful position at the ABA. We discuss how she has infused creativity and a forward-thinking mindset into the association, particularly focusing on how partnerships between banks and fintechs are evolving and the current state of innovation in banking.Brooke emphasizes the importance of aligning technological advancements with customer needs and how banks can leverage external solutions to meet these needs effectively. We also touch on the challenges of infrastructure upgrades, the relevance of middleware, and the shift towards a more digitized banking environment. Furthermore, we explore the role of AI in banking, how banks can stay competitive with non-bank financial services, and ways to attract new talent into the banking industry. Brooke provides valuable insights on maintaining integrity, continuous learning, and embracing change. This episode is packed with productive thoughts and expert perspectives on how banks can navigate and thrive in the rapidly changing financial landscape.Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.Chapter Markers