Alloy Labs

This article is my love letter to the micro-insight. The kind of insight that comes from one customer complaint, noticing one power user's workaround, one anomaly in the data. Macro insights are very popular here on LinkedIn. They're easy to vibe with. You all know I get very nerdy about business strategy. I don't have any tattoos, but maybe I need one of Roger Martin's choice cascade. Because, at the end of the day, differentiation is essential to winning. Differentiated businesses are built on differentiated insights. Maybe that's the tattoo. Are there any micro insights you've noticed and wonder if there's a there there?

JP Nicols is hosting a free Executive Briefing on our latest research on these findings on April 16: ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ????????????????: ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ?????????????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ??????????????. ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gRCq_jUi

Square now holds an average of $35,000 in deposits from mid-market businesses— funds that traditionally resided with community banks. This isn't an isolated trend but part of a systematic strategy by fintechs to capture traditional commercial banking relationships. Jack Dorsey himself highlighted Square's "accelerated adoption among larger sellers" in their latest earnings call, with mid-market businesses now representing their fastest-growing segment. Our collaborative research with 15 banks across the country reveals a concerning pattern: commercial banking customers are increasingly splitting their financial activities between traditional banks and specialized platforms that integrate seamlessly with their business operations. We call this "silent switching"— where customers maintain minimal deposit relationships while shifting transaction volumes and operational accounts to integrated fintech platforms. The central insight? Your commercial customers no longer view banking as a destination but as a component within their business operating systems. This shift fundamentally changes how they evaluate banking relationships— increasingly prioritizing operational efficiency over traditional relationship banking models. During this executive briefing, we'll share: ? Specific examples of mid-sized businesses maintaining minimum balances at their bank while running thousands monthly through alternative providers ? The organizational implications for credit-centric banks and why some institutions are successfully shifting to Treasury-led commercial acquisition ? A practical framework for evaluating the emerging threats and opportunities that address the unique workflows of high-value segments ? Actionable strategies to transform your digital offering from a standalone experience to an embedded component within your customers' daily operations This isn't simply about technology— it's about fundamentally reimagining how your bank creates and delivers value to commercial clients in an ecosystem where banking is becoming an ingredient, not the meal itself. Join fellow bank executives for this data-driven, solution-focused session that moves beyond theoretical discussions of ‘digital transformation’ to practical options for competitive response.

Thrilled to see how a fledgling partnership has flourished!

Banks are still thinking about products while fintech companies are building operating systems. This isn't just semantics, it's a fundamental shift in how financial services are delivered. We'll be diving in on Wednesday, not to predict the future, but to invent it for commercial banking. Join us. Traditional Bank Thinking: ? "We need better products" ? "We need to digitize our processes" ? "We need to improve our online banking" What's Actually Happening: ? Business banking is becoming embedded in business operations ? Lending decisions are moving to the point of need ? Data is becoming the new underwriting

?? Bank Leaders: Is Your Innovation Strategy Starving While Your Legacy Business Feasts? "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." - James Clear Next week, I'm leading a hands-on virtual strategy session for C-suite and senior banking executives who are ready to build real innovation capacity without disrupting their core business. In this 90-minute workshop, you'll get practical frameworks to: ? Create scalable systems that balance growth with execution ? Build and fund high-performing innovation teams that deliver results in 30 days ? Implement agile risk management that drives progress, not paralysis This isn't another "innovation theater" session - it's based on our proven Anvil? program that's helping banks across the country drive measurable growth. 35% LinkedIn network discount: Use code "Linked" at registration. Exclusively for verified U.S. financial institution employees.

?? Want to know where banks are finding their real competitive edge? (Hint: It's not where 95% of them are looking) Here's a reality check: Most financial institutions offer nearly identical products, features, and prices - and unsurprisingly, get nearly identical results. But in today's rapidly changing landscape, playing it safe might be the riskiest strategy of all. Tomorrow I'm leading an exclusive hands-on workshop where I'll share battle-tested tools that help banks break free from the pack. We'll explore how to: ? Uncover genuine customer insights that others miss ? Test new ideas quickly and affordably ? Turn market disruption into growth opportunities This isn't theory - it's the same FIRE? Process we've used to help institutions across the country drive real results. In just 90 minutes, you'll get practical tools you can implement immediately. Limited to verified U.S. financial institution employees only. 35% discount for my LinkedIn network: Use code "Linked" at checkout.

Yesterday's Executive Order on cybersecurity is a win for digital identity. In it, President Biden: - Mandates agencies to accept digital identity documents for public benefits - Requires that solutions "are interoperable with relevant standards and trust frameworks" - Mandates "user privacy and data minimization" - Prohibits tracking or surveillance of digital identity document presentation Admittedly, the timing is bittersweet. With just 3 days left in office, this EO validates what many of us have been saying: our digital economy needs better ways to establish trust. This isn't about politics - it's about safety. Every American deserves to know their identity is protected online, their transactions are secure, and their privacy is respected. My hope is that this remains a priority, because fraud and cybercrime won't wait for the next election cycle.

If you are a senior bank or credit union P&L leader working on strategic planning, you should seriously consider joining me for this hands-on senior strategy virtual (co)Lab session. It will help you realign your digital priorities to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing world in just 90 minutes. We'll supercharge your strategic planning and budgeting process by working through a series of strategic frameworks to help you define desired outcomes and evaluate strategic choices and tradeoffs. I will walk you step by step through industry-leading tools to help you: ??Go beyond operational excellence to create real growth and value ??Effectively allocate limited resources to gain competitive advantage ??Efficiently balance defending your legacy business with creating new growth options for the future ? Balance offensive vs. defensive strategies and tactics ? Optimize risk and return on new ideas I have a special discount just for my LinkedIn followers: Use discount code "Linked" for 35% off registration. Alloy (co) Labs are open only to verified employees of licensed U.S. financial institutions.