Insights Ignited

Jan 15, 2026
Podcasts

Trust, transparency, and open communication

Learning from Finovate Awards Finalist COCC’s unique cooperative model

In a recent episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer sat down with Brent Biernat, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at COCC, a finalist for Best Back Office Solution and Executive of the Year at the Finovate Awards. Brent shared his remarkable 30-year journey with COCC and offered valuable insights into the company’s unique cooperative model and its commitment to community banking.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that innovation in fintech isn’t just about technology—it’s about relationships, trust, and a shared vision for the future of banking.
Listen to the full episode of the Finovate Podcast and explore how COCC is redefining cooperative banking.

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The latest from COCC

Describe the Borrower You Want. We’ll Bring Them to You.

Ask a commercial lender at a community bank or credit union how they find new business and you'll hear some version of the same answer: referrals, relationships, and a spreadsheet someone built three years ago. Those relationships are the whole advantage of community lending. But building the list eats hours that should go to conversations, and it rarely tells you which of the 400 names on it to call first.

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