The Bits Matter Podcast

About The Bits Matter Podcast

'The Bits Matter Podcast' - the leading resource for retail bankers. This podcast brings to light what community banks and credit unions can do to be affective in an industry dominated by big-name national banks that cover much of the country’s financial services. Through discussions on branch staff training, choreography, digital signage, architectural design and space planning, promotional items and brand extension, and more - an idea hub of 'bits' that matter, the podcast pulls insight from industry leaders, for industry leaders, about what it means to operate from the retail mindset.

Publisher

The Element Group

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Apr 2025

Latest episode

19 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Jun 2026

   Season 3 - Episode 1: How should a credit union decide where to open, relocate, renovate, or rethink a branch?

   In this conversation, Coquise “Coco” Frost, Director of New Business at CUCollaborate, and Marc Healy, Executive Director of Retail and Business Development at The Element Group, discuss why branch strategy should start with the market, not the floor plan. They cover how credit unions can use member data, demographics, field of membership strategy, competitive analysis, and branch performance insights to validate a market before making a major investment. They also discuss how those inputs should shape the physical branch experience, from footprint and staffing to technology, traffic flow, advisory space, and community connection. The key takeaway: the market should shape the branch. The branch should support the strategy. Topics covered: Credit union branch strategy Branch expansion and relocation decisions Field of membership growth Market analysis and member behavior Branch design and member experience Credit union mergers and network planning Underserved market opportunities Turning growth strategy into physical branch performance Listen to the full conversation to hear how CUCollaborate and The Element Group help credit unions connect market opportunity with branch strategy built around real member needs.

2. 

   23 Sept 2025

   Season 2 - Episode 6: A Strategic Approach to Branch Design: Aligning Design, People, and ROI

   Host Doug Ridley interviews Marc Healy about aligning branch design, staff engagement, and training to achieve measurable results and long-term ROI for financial institutions.

3. 

   15 Sept 2025

   Season 2 - Episode 5: A Strategic Approach to Branch Design: Adopting a Retail Mindset

   Host Doug Ridley interviews Marc Healy, Executive Director of Sales and Business Development at The Element Group, about adopting a retail mindset in branch design to create engaging customer experiences for banks and credit unions.

4. 

   9 Sept 2025

   Season 2 - Episode 4: A Strategic Approach to Branch Design: Cost Savings

   Host Doug Ridley interviews William Foley, co-founder of The Element Group, about strategic branch design that uncovers significant cost savings beyond initial construction expenses.

5. 

   26 Aug 2025

   Season 2 - Episode 3: A Strategic Approach to Branch Design: Hidden Costs

   Host Doug Ridley interviews William Foley, Co-Founder of The Element Group, about identifying and controlling hidden costs in branch design projects to improve budget and performance.

6. 

   19 Aug 2025

   Season 2 - Episode 2: A Strategic Approach to Branch Design: Risk Mitigation

   Host Doug Ridley interviews William Foley, Co-Founder of The Element Group, about mitigating risk in bank branch design projects for budget season.

7. 

   12 Aug 2025

   A Strategic Approach to Branch Design: Prepping for Your Next Branch Project.

   Host Doug Ridley interviews William Foley of The Element Group about strategic branch design planning for financial institutions, offering insights for budgeting and project success.

8. 

   24 Jun 2025

   Season 1 - Episode 3: "From Particles to Bits and Why it Matters "

   Host Doug Ridley interviews Nate Baldasaro about the importance of small details and combined efforts in creating memorable customer experiences for financial institutions, emphasizing the value of every bit.

9. 

   15 May 2025

   Season 1 - Episode 2: The Portsmouth Experience

   In this episode, Nate and Mac unpack what makes The Element Group's  'Portsmouth Experience' so special. Usually a three-day workshop, this retreat pulls the decision makers of the financialinstitutions out of their comfort zone, and into a collaborative deep dive.Nate and Mac explain how this in-person session works to create relationship,save design time, and increase communication, and creativity - all while beingfun, informative, and innovative. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xzwVErVvDC4nm3o1jtzGFruAG01Un96E_TuLwF4oguI/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xzwVErVvDC4nm3o1jtzGFruAG01Un96E_TuLwF4oguI/edit?usp=sharing) About the Hosts: Nate Baldasaro: Walk into his office and Nate is often listening to a combination ofSkillet, Switchfoot, and Need to Breathe. Accompanied by his many journals, Nate is constantly brainstorming. Even at his favorite vacation spot in Captiva, Florida, he is writing down new ideas, oftentimes with the help of his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Bryn. After Bridgton Academy, Nate graduated from the University of New Hampshire into a career observing and spanning multipleindustries. Nate uses his experience in sales and communications to find innovative and creative retail and technologically based solutions for the variety of institutions serviced by The Element Group. Nate is especially proud of the way Element has pulled together through the years to support itsemployees through thick and thin. Nate’s “element” is focused on forward thinking and engagement with a company’s strengths; evidence of his days as a college athlete seen in the sports analogy found in his favorite quote. "A good player works hard to win the game that everyone else is playing. A great player creates a new game that favors their strengths and avoids their weaknesses" — James Clear --- Mac Erickson: While he is busy deciding whether his favorite vacation spot is Maui or the Uinta Mountains, Mac is probably helping his wife Angie, corral their six boys. Having graduated from Weber State University with a degree in Sales and Construction Management, Mac has worked within the branch development space for thirty years, all across the country. Throughout his career, he has helped redefine ways of providing consumer-centric service and kickstart new, innovative branch prototypes. Mac’s work as an account executive pairs well with his mission statement. He is always seeking “to build relationshipsof trust and radiate my passion for helping people.” Mac is “in his element” whenever he is with his family. He loves coaching baseball, playing golf, barbecuing, and playing games with them; really, any chance he gets to simply hang out with them. His favorite quote speaks for his lifestyle. "Life movespretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could missit." — Ferris Bueller About the Element Group: does your physical space help attract, delight, andretain customers? We partner with financial institutions like yours to design, build, and remodel facilities for the digital age, develop brand identities, select markets and sites, and implement messaging and merchandisingstrategies across your network. The results? Enhanced customer and member loyalty, more efficient operations, and increased profitability. Together with our financial partners we collaborate and strategize how to achieve the personalneeds of community banks and credit unions. Our team approach ensures aseamless process allowing you to best serve your employees, customers, members,and local communities. From cutting-edge graphic and digital design to intentional architectural environments, we prideourselves on delivering full solutions, nationwide. https://www.everybitmatters.com/ (https://www.everybitmatters.com/)

10. 

    2 Apr 2025

    Season 1 - Episode 1: Surprise and Delight

    Season 1 Episode 1: In this episode we chat about what retail bankers can learn from Delta's 360 Program, an invitation only program that sometimes branches out to those in their medallion tiers through their Surprise and Delight Program: an unexpected ride in a Porsche between particularly tight connecting flights. Nate and Marc unpack how the principles of "surprise and delight" are a powerful tool used by B2C retailers - something that financial institutions can use when constructing branch choreography to be proactive and create memorable experiences for their customers or members. Show Notes: Read More: https://www.pointhacks.com.au/skymiles/delta-360/ (https://www.pointhacks.com.au/skymiles/delta-360/) https://medium.com/@Glennengler/the-power-of-surprise-delight-348e8eafd413 (https://medium.com/@Glennengler/the-power-of-surprise-delight-348e8eafd413) (https://go.everybitmatters.com/delta360-nate-and-bryn-image?hs_preview=ytODKZXJ-188302653780) Image: Nate and Bryn on tarmac (https://go.everybitmatters.com/delta360-nate-and-bryn-image?hs_preview=ytODKZXJ-188302653780) Transcript - link (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tzBeTqi9ZvOr1SI3YaerlsfXZfE14R-JoLJ5B5aW-rs/edit?usp=sharing) About the Host: Nate Baldasaro: Walk into his office and Nate is often listening to a combination of Skillet, Switchfoot, and Need to Breathe. Accompanied by his many journals, Nate is constantly brainstorming. Even at his favorite vacation spot in Captiva, Florida, he is writing down new ideas, oftentimes with the help of his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Bryn. After Bridgton Academy, Nate graduated from the University of New Hampshire into a career observing and spanning multiple industries. Nate uses his experience in sales and communications to find innovative and creative retail and technologically based solutions for the variety of institutions serviced by The Element Group. Nate is especially proud of the way Element has pulled together through the years to support its employees through thick and thin. Nate’s “element” is focused on forward thinking and engagement with a company’s strengths; evidence of his days as a college athlete seen in the sports analogy found in his favorite quote. "A good player works hard to win the game that everyone else is playing. A great player creates a new game that favors their strengths and avoids theirweaknesses" — James Clear --- About the Guest: Marc Healy: Greeted by the team as “Mr. HEALY!,” with all suitable pomp, Marc is known to be a positive force of nature in the office. After graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Business and a concentration in Finance, Marc proceeded to leap right into leadership positions. Marc applies his 30 years experience in banking operations and retail management to help our clients deliver the best branch experience. While he loves going to the SouthCaribbean on a cruise ship, Marc loves creating and encouraging teamwork. This is his “element:” being involved with a group of individuals that are focused in on one goal, learn from each other, and have the drive and passion needed for maximum productivity and ultimately, success. "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." — Benjamin Franklin --- About the Element Group: does your physical space help attract, delight, and retain customers? We partner with financial institutions like yours to design, build, and remodel facilities for the digital age, develop brand identities, select markets and sites, and implement messaging and merchandising strategies across your network. The results? Enhanced customer and member loyalty, more efficient operations, and increased profitability. Together with our financial partners we collaborate and strategize how to achieve the personal needs of community banks and credit unions. Our team approach ensures a seamless process allowing you to best serve your employees, customers, members, and local communities. From cutting-edge graphic and digital design to intentional architectural environments, we pride ourselves on delivering full solutions, nationwide. https://www.everybitmatters.com/ (https://www.everybitmatters.com/)

Who has been a guest on The Bits Matter Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Marc Healy
• William Foley
• Nate Baldasaro

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

19

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact The Bits Matter Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.