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The CUInsight Network podcast: Banking with purpose – Spiral

Featuring Shawn Melamed, CEO and co-founder of Spiral

Shawn Melamed

Thank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.

My guest on today’s show is Shawn Melamed, CEO and co-founder of Spiral. Shawn tells us about his journey from a game-obsessed kid to a serial entrepreneur, managing director at Morgan Stanley, and now CEO of Spiral.

In our conversation, we talk about how Spiral is helping credit unions compete in a crowded market and build meaningful relationships with their members. It isn't only about financial wellness—it’s about creating a system that rewards people for being intentional with their money and gives them tools to do good without making it overly complicated.

As we wrap up the episode, Shawn talks about a former boss who led with empathy and confidence, his family’s love of traveling, the books he thinks everyone should read, and the importance of being disciplined when it comes to work-life balance. Enjoy my conversation with Shawn Melamed!

How to find Shawn

Shout-out: Morgan Stanley
Shout-out: Alchemy
Shout-out: Lumen
Shout-out: Q2
Shout-out: Candescent
Shout-out: Jack Henry
Shout-out: Nymbus
Shout-out: Chase
Shout-out: Bank of America
Shout-out: Robert Rooney
Place mentioned: Austin, Texas
Book mentioned: The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant
Book mentioned: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

[00:48] – Shawn reflects on how his natural curiosity and his passion for tech led him to create impactful, socially driven financial tools.
[03:53] – Spiral empowers credit unions to deepen relationships via personalized features.
[05:18] – By enhancing digital banking with purpose, Spiral fosters loyalty and member engagement over time.
[07:26] – To stay competitive, credit unions have to evolve, and Spiral gives them the tools to thrive.
[09:49] – Hear how Spiral offers seamless integration and full support to ensure credit union success.
[11:35] – Spiral is aiming to revolutionize credit unions via personalization, innovation, and user-driven experiences.
[13:34] – Learn why Shawn values his prior boss, Rob Rooney.
[14:53] – Shawn loves traveling to remote, sunny places, which fuels his love for new experiences.
[16:07] – Shawn recommends The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
[17:29] – Shawn maintains balance via strict routines, prioritizing yoga, work, family time, and weekend hobbies.
[18:50] – Shawn encourages credit union leaders to connect for mission-driven growth in a digital world.