In this episode of The Allied Angle, Allied Solutions CEO Pete Hilger reflects on a year that tested financial institutions on every front — from market volatility and elevated fraud losses to regulatory pressure and shifting member expectations.
Pete shares candid insights on what 2025 revealed about risk management, leadership, and organizational resilience, and why incremental change is no longer enough in today’s operating environment.
Looking forward to 2026, Pete outlines the priorities leaders should be focused on now — from strengthening core operations and leveraging data more effectively to making intentional decisions around growth, partnerships, and long-term positioning.
This episode offers a practical, executive-level perspective for financial institution leaders seeking clarity, confidence, and direction in a rapidly evolving landscape.
In this episode:
01:36 — Getting to know Pete.
06:42 — Reflecting on 2025: The biggest lessons learned at Allied and what we’re ready to leave behind.
09:02 — The mood around the turbulence and regulatory scrutiny facing the industry.
10:37 — How Allied is addressing the challenges driven by risk management.
12:50 — What separates a strategic partner from just another vendor?
17:35 — Common industry misconceptions about the evolution of asset risk management.
21:50 — What asset risk management really is, and how technology and AI are reshaping what’s possible.
27:17 — What do you say to clients who are still hesitant to adopt AI?
29:03 — Allied’s partnership with Port X, highlighting what’s new for 2026.
34:26 — What are you most excited about as we head into 2026?