Episode 16: How to Keep the Momentum with Your Finances in 2026
Featured Guest
Janean Armstrong
Retail Market President, VyStar Credit Union
With over 28 years of financial industry leadership, Janean C. Armstrong has built a distinguished career marked by strategic vision, operational excellence and a deep commitment to community impact. She began her journey at Bank One in Houston before moving to SunTrust (now Truist Bank), where she led a team of more than 500 across Maryland and Northern Virginia.
In 2018, Janean joined Wells Fargo as a Regional Leader in South Atlanta, further sharpening her leadership and market strategy expertise. She brought that experience to VyStar in 2023 as Market President for Georgia, driving growth and community engagement initiatives. In 2025, she was promoted to Retail Market President for Georgia and Florida, overseeing more than 80 banking centers.
Janean is equally known for her dedication to service. She actively supports organizations such as I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L, Lift Atlanta, the USO and Habitat for Humanity. She champions small-business and community empowerment through her involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the One Hundred Black Women of Metropolitan Atlanta.
Her accomplishments have garnered national recognition, including features on HBO Max and the cover of Game Changers magazine. She has been named one of ATL+ Magazine’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Atlanta in both 2024 and 2025, as well as one of the Top 50 Women in the Southern Crescent Region.
Highlights
As 2026 begins, many people feel both optimism and uncertainty about their financial future, making January the ideal time to reset and refocus money habits.
Janean Armstrong, Senior Vice President and Retail Market President, stresses the importance of reviewing your entire financial picture — income, expenses, savings and debt — before setting clear, actionable new year goals.
Utilizing the 50/30/20 budgeting rule (50% for needs, 30% for wants, 20% for savings) enables you to create a balanced financial plan and encourages automatic savings transfers for long-term success.
Regularly reviewing and updating insurance coverage — including adding beneficiaries — can save money and improve protection. Janean Armstrong highlights using the VyStar Mobile app to track spending and maximize perks through VyStar+ Checking.
VyStar Credit Union provides a broad range of financial resources — investment services for both new and experienced investors, access to financial advisors and special programs including mortgage and loan discounts.
VyStar’s Everyday Heroes Mortgage Program, auto and consumer loans and VyStar+ Checking features like identity theft protection and cell phone insurance add layers of security and practical support for members.
The 2025 VyStar Savings Challenge resulted in over 31,000 participants saving a collective $5 million across three major cities, showing the power of community engagement and financial education.
Building financial confidence and control is a top priority. The Savings Challenge taught practical skills and empowered members to take charge of their money.
In 2026, VyStar plans to launch a Debt Payoff Challenge to help members reduce debt, build positive saving habits and feel more confident in their money management.
VyStar is conducting a regional financial confidence study to better understand community needs and develop focused solutions in Jacksonville, Orlando and Atlanta.
VyStar’s Financial Fitness hub profiles real members, offering relatable stories, expert advice and interactive tools such as budget and payoff calculators for easy, accessible financial planning.
Download the audio version of this episode on Buzzsprout.