In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, we welcome Tab Edmondson, Senior Director of Lender Solutions at Epic, a new business partner of AFSA. The discussion centers on modernizing loan payoffs and lien release processes, highlighting the challenges dealerships face with multiple lenders and the inefficiencies in current systems. Tab shares insights from his extensive experience in the automotive industry, emphasizing the importance of streamlining processes to benefit dealerships, lenders, and consumers.

In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, host Dan Bucherer sits down with the elected presidents of the AFSA Education Foundation EDGE and Leadership Development Programs. Joining the conversation are Roman Roberts and Jasmine Carter from Republic Finance, along with Bobby McLendon from Security Finance. Together, they discuss the professional and personal impacts of the EDGE program at Mercer University and the Executive Leadership Program at UNC Chapel Hill. The guests also share their early experiences with money and highlight the critical role of the free MoneySkill program in classrooms across the country.

Learn more about the AFSA Education Foundation programs at www.afsaef.org/leadership and MoneySKILL at www.afsaef.org/moneyskill.

In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, AFSA SVP Danielle Arlowe is joined by Jennifer Keys and Matt Isaacson from Covius. The discussion centers on the complexities of vehicle recovery compliance, specifically focusing on proposed legislation in Massachusetts and Colorado and how these bills would impact right-to-cure notices and repossession processes for vehicle finance companies.

Speakers

• Jennifer Keys: Senior Vice President of Compliance, Covius.
• Matt Isaacson: Senior Regulatory Counsel, Covius.

Host

• Danielle Fagre Arlowe, SVP, AFSA

AFSA is tackling AI head on in a few short days at the 2026 Independents Conference & Expo – all of our sessions, committees and networking groups will revolve, even in a tangential way, around AI, how the consumer credit industry can get the most out of this emerging technology and what you need to keep your eye out for.

Back in the fall, Dan Bucherer, Senior Director, Member Services & Engagement with AFSA moderated a panel at the Annual Meeting about some of the ways AI is already integrated into lending systems, analyzing unstructured information moving beyond traditional credit metrics, enabling sharper risk assessment and, ultimate a more personalized borrower experience at every stage.

The panel included:

• Elizabeth Blackhall, Senior Compliance Specialist with Husch Blackwell
• Lawrence Buckley, SVP, Business Development, DataOceans
• Tammy Mouta, Product and Growth Lead with Salient AI.

While you pack your saddle bags for Frisco or wait in that boarding line, take a listen and refresh yourself on where we stand in the AI space. Then, when you land, get ready for a deep dive on all things AI.

Listen to the Extra Credit Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or visit afsaonline.org/podcasts.

How much of your personal information is available online—and who can access it?

In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, Dan Bucherer sits down with Ron Zayas, CEO of Ironwall by Incogni, to discuss the growing risks tied to personal data exposure, cyber threats, and executive security.

Fresh off Ironwall’s feature on 60 Minutes, Ron explains how his company helps protect executives, employees, and organizations by removing sensitive personal information from data brokers, search platforms, and even the dark web.

The conversation explores how bad actors use publicly available data to target individuals, why attacks increasingly happen at home rather than at the workplace, and how artificial intelligence is making phishing scams more sophisticated—and more effective.

Ron also shares practical steps individuals can take to better protect themselves and their families, including limiting where personal information is shared, using VPNs, and understanding how everyday transactions may expose sensitive data.

In this episode:

• Why personal data has become a major security vulnerability
• How criminals use publicly available information to target individuals
• The rise of AI-powered phishing scams
• Why executives and employees alike are increasingly at risk
• How location tracking and data brokers collect personal information
• Practical steps consumers can take to protect themselves online

Whether you're focused on cybersecurity, consumer privacy, or protecting your organization from emerging threats, this conversation offers valuable insights into today’s rapidly evolving risk landscape.

Learn more:
Ironwall by Incogni
Incogni

Guest: Ron Zayas

In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, host Dan Bucherer sits down with Andres Klaric, co-founder of Fuse, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of lending, loan origination, and customer experience.

Andres shares the story behind Fuse’s evolution—from a direct-to-consumer lending business to an AI-native platform serving banks, credit unions, and finance companies across the U.S.—and explains what it truly means to build and operate in an “AI-native” world.

The conversation dives into the rapid pace of AI innovation and the growing gap between those building the technology and those trying to adopt it. Andres emphasizes why waiting for the dust to settle isn’t an option, and how lenders can begin capturing real value today by focusing on workflow automation, continuous improvement, and practical implementation strategies.

Listeners will also gain insight into:

• Why many AI initiatives fail—and how to avoid “throwing AI on top” of existing systems
• How automation can drive efficiency without replacing human expertise
• The importance of transparency, compliance, and data ownership in AI-driven systems
• Where human judgment—especially in risk and underwriting—remains essential

Andres also discusses how AI is shifting roles within organizations, freeing teams from repetitive tasks and enabling more strategic, high-value work.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or looking to scale your current efforts, this episode offers practical insights into how to adopt AI intentionally and effectively in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Visit fusefinance.com to learn more and connect with Andres on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast.

This is the first edition of AFSA's State Regulator Series as Danielle Fagre Arlowe, Senior Vice President and head of the State Government Affairs team speaks with regulators from around the country. We'll make our way through all 50 states getting to know the regulators that are part of our industry.

In the inaugural edition, Danielle speaks with Joe Mulberry, Deputy Commissioner with the Wyoming Division of Banking.

In this episode of the AFSA Extra Credit Podcast, we talk with Simon Keymer, who has worked with AFSA's state government affairs team for the last several years. This is the last of our recordings from AFSA's Annual meeting. We talk about what he's working on with SGA and the trouble he sees with Referendums. He also speaks about what he's learned in his career and shares some best practices.

Members can access SGA's whitepapers, 50-state surveys and talking points via the SGA Resources area of the website. Follow AFSA SGA on Twitter @AFSA_SGA.