Postgame with Amount - Q2 Connect 2025
After three days in Austin with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in digital banking, one thing is clear: Q2 Connect 2025 wasn’t just a conference, it was a call to action. From the opening keynote to the final breakout, the message was loud and clear: status quo is over. Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business mandate.
This year’s theme focused heavily on actionable innovation. Whether you were hearing about AI’s role in fighting fraud, the evolution of embedded finance, or how modern core strategies are reshaping infrastructure, each session had a common thread: banks and credit unions can’t wait to evolve. SMBs, consumers, and the competition aren’t going to wait for you to catch up.
The Broader Conference Conversation
One of the most energizing parts of Q2 Connect is the diversity of perspectives—from fintechs and banks to Q2’s own product teams and clients. A few sessions that stood out to me:
- The Future of Embedded Finance: It was clear that distribution isn’t enough—you need relevance. Embedded isn’t just a tech play, it’s a customer experience strategy.
- Winning the Trust Economy: An important reminder that digital tools are only as powerful as the trust they inspire. As we build faster, more automated systems, transparency and control must follow.
- Q2 Innovation Showcase: The product roadmap session was packed, and rightly so. What Q2 is doing to make real-time integrations more plug-and-play is a game-changer for institutions trying to move fast without compromising control.
These conversations underscored the urgency to modernize. But they also surfaced a shared optimism: we have the tools, the talent, and the tech—we just need to execute.
The Session: “Meeting the Moment: Unlocking SMB Deposit Growth in a Changing Market”
I was proud to take the stage to talk about a segment we believe deserves far more attention—small and midsize businesses. In my session, we explored how SMBs are changing the game for banks and credit unions. These aren’t the same small businesses of five years ago. They’re digitally fluent comparison shoppers and increasingly impatient with legacy processes.
We talked about the disconnect between what SMBs expect and what many institutions currently deliver: clunky application flows, outdated compliance checks, and a digital/branch experience that often feels like two different universes. I asked the audience how many prioritized business account opening this year. Nearly every hand went up. But when asked how many felt their current experience truly meets SMB needs? Far fewer.
That gap between intention and impact is where the opportunity lies.
What SMBs Want (and How We’re Delivering It)
During my session, we focused on the kind of experiences that actually move the needle for SMBs:
- Fast, seamless digital account opening
- Real-time identity and ownership verification
- Integrated lending and deposits
- A journey that doesn’t stop at the first click—it adapts, connects, and converts
I highlighted a few FIs already setting the pace, like Univest, which is combining SMB deposit and lending in one unified flow. When banks do this right, they don’t just win accounts—they build deep, primary relationships that drive lifetime value.
Built for Q2 Clients
We were also excited to showcase how Amount’s platform is deeply integrated with Q2, allowing authenticated users to open deposit accounts or apply for credit with pre-filled data, seamless SSO, and instant decisioning. This isn’t a theoretical roadmap—it’s live and delivering results.
And for Q2 clients ready to act, we offered a conference-exclusive sandbox setup at $0 and a 30-day trial to see it in action.
Final Thoughts
Q2 Connect 2025 reminded me why I love this industry. It’s full of people who care deeply about their communities, their customers and members, and the future of financial services. The challenges are real—but so is the momentum.
At Amount, we’re here to help our partners not just keep pace, but lead. Let’s make sure SMBs know your institution is ready to meet the moment.
Until next year,
Len