Totem, the First Challenger Bank for Native Americans
By:
Sharon J. Lorman
Jeffrey P. Marsico
Guest: Amber Buker, Founder & CEO of Totem Technologies, Inc. (“Totem”)
Podcast Show Notes:
Our This Month In Banking (TMIB) podcast features discussion with colleagues and other industry thought leaders on interesting banking topics. TMIB is available on the last Wednesday of every month here, or wherever you get your podcasts, for your listening enjoyment. Join us on your commute, at your desk, or at home.
Topic: Totem, the First Challenger Bank for Native Americans!
Less than 1% of banks are Native-owned. Totem, which will go live in 2023, was founded and funded by Natives and is the only digital bank catering to indigenous people. Totem is creating pathways to financial inclusion for Native Americans through digital banking with a mission to create a new tradition of Native wealth-building. Totem partners with sovereign tribal governments to deliver culturally relevant financial products and education, make tribal benefits more accessible, and help the growing number of self-identifying Natives born “off-reservation” connect to culture. Amber shares Totem’s story including how the fintech intends to drive revenue. Listen and enjoy!
Amber Buker, J.D.
Founder & CEO of Totem, digital banking by and for indigenous people
Tulsa, Oklahoma
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbuker/
Amber has expertise in creating and managing programs. Most recently, she served as the Director of Insights for the Alloy Labs Alliance, a consortium of innovative community banks, where she developed tangible, strategic guidance for C-suite executives around adopting technology and building partnerships.
Prior to joining Alloy Labs, Amber developed the FinXTech Connect platform and awards program for Bank Director. There, she wrote in-depth editorial profiles on over 300 fintechs, feature stories for Bank Director magazine, and research reports.
Previously, Amber served as the program director for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville. There, she managed all aspects of the nonprofit’s operations. She worked closely with the board of directors, and supervised law students providing legal services to low-income artists.
Amber graduated with honors and a certificate in intellectual property from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, and was admitted to the Tennessee State Bar in 2015. She attended the evening program at Lewis & Clark and worked her way through school as a full-time legal assistant for a boutique elder law firm. She has co-founded two 501(c)(3) organizations — the Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and Distraction Theatre Company.
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Watch for episode 81 of This Month in Banking to be released on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022, and a new episode on the last Wednesday of every month.
Thank you for listening!