Fraud programs often measure what is easiest, not what’s most important. In this episode of Fraud Forward, host Hailey Windham welcomes back Frank McKenna for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the realities fraud leaders are facing today.

Frank and Hailey dig into where fraud hides in plain sight, why so many losses are misclassified as credit risk, and how institutions consistently overreact to trends while underinvesting in the fraud already hitting their balance sheets. They explore the role AI is truly playing in fraud today, where it adds value, where it falls short, and why humans must remain firmly in the loop.

From loan fraud and credit washing to insider threats, identity overinvestment, and the long-term impact of bad fraud decisions on customers and employees, this episode challenges comfortable assumptions and legacy thinking. It is a candid discussion about what fraud teams need to stop doing, what they need to do differently, and how fraud is becoming an existential issue for financial institutions.

Guest lineup:

1. Frank McKenna: Chief Fraud Strategist, Co-Founder at Point Predictive
2. Hailey Windham: Host of Fraud Forward and Community Banking Lead at Sardine

Links:

1. Frank on Fraud
2. No Brakes, No Limits. Our Fraud Predictions For 2026 - Frank on Fraud

Fraud isn’t slowing down, it’s evolving. The Banking on Fraudology podcast is now Fraud Forward, and we’re kicking off the new era with a no-nonsense look at what financial institutions are actually facing on the front lines.

In this premiere episode, host Hailey Windham brings together fraud, risk, and BSA leaders from banks and credit unions to separate real signals from industry noise. No hype. No fear-mongering. Just firsthand insight from teams fighting fraud at machine speed.

We unpack:

1. What fraud teams saw escalate over the past year
2. Which threats are accelerating into 2026
3. Where banks and credit unions remain most exposed
4. How digital arrest scams, Ghost Tap fraud, and self-adapting AI attacks are changing the game
5. Why in-branch controls are making a comeback

If you’re responsible for fraud prevention, BSA, risk, or compliance, this episode offers clear, realistic guidance on what to prioritize now, and what needs to change as fraud keeps moving faster.

🎙 Guest lineup:

Karen Boyer, SVP, Financial Crimes - M&T Bank

Jen Lamont, BSA & Fraud Manager - America’s Credit Union

Angela Diaz, Senior Risk Manager, External Fraud Oversight - TD

Hailey Windham, Host of Fraud Forward & Community Banking Lead - Sardine

👉 Subscribe for more real-world fraud insights from the people closest to the risk.

In this episode of Banking on Fraudology, Hailey Windham reflects on her journey in the industry by sharing big news and zooming out to address the "seismic shift" this change represents for her career and the community.

Hailey officially announces she has joined Sardine as their Community Lead for Banking. She directly addresses industry skepticism, clarifying that this move is a values-aligned, impact-driven decision and "not a sellout moment".

The conversation dives into the industry's evolution , highlighting how shared learning, cross-institution conversations, and an authentic community are shaping the future of fraud prevention.

Belief and Values Alignment are Essential: The "Why" Behind the Decision

• The Trust Filter: Hailey notes that she only puts her name behind brands she trusts and never stays silent for convenience.
• Culture Over Tech: What stood out about Sardine was its culture of humility and curiosity, and a willingness to say, "We don't have this all figured out. Let's build it with the community".
• Voice and Ownership: Crucially, she was never asked to change her voice , and she retains ownership of her catalog.

Scaling Impact (Internal Threat): The Shift from Individual to Community

• Hailey explains that the role isn't about pushing product; it's about building authentic banking and credit union communities and challenging the status quo.
• This move is about scaling impact—moving from helping one or two credit unions at a time to having a much bigger reach and connecting them with resources.
• The goal is to move past institutional silos, driven by the mindset that "fraud doesn't happen in silos and neither should our solutions".

Fraud Forward (External Threats): The Podcast Evolves Alongside the Industry

• Banking on Fraudology is evolving and will be rebranded as Fraud Forward.
• The rebrand will bring improved production quality, consistency, and reach, allowing for bigger, bolder conversations.
• Hailey promises the same honesty, hard conversations, and advocacy for fraud fighters will continue.

Get in the mood of being grateful for the fraud-fighting community, and be reminded of how strong the fraud-fighting community truly is. The next chapter is about moving fraud prevention forward together.