What's Going On In Banking

Ron Shevlin & Stacey Bryant, Cornerstone Advisors
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  • INVESTING

What's Going On In Banking brings you the latest in Banking, Finance, and Fintech with insights and commentary from industry leaders, and breaking news as it happens. Hosted by Cornerstone Advisor's Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer, and Stacey Bryant, Director of Client Development.

  1. MAR 14

    AI Agents Aren’t Ready to Replace Your Staff—But They Will Reshape Your Processes

    We’re live and in person (from the “island of New Jersey” 😆) after Credit Union GAC and ahead of the New Jersey Bankers conference. And we’re breaking down the biggest banking and fintech headlines that actually matter.  Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant unpack: Why the mood at GAC was optimistic… with real undercurrents of concernKraken’s banking arm getting direct access to the Fed’s payment rails, and what that signals for banksWhy “waiting for regulatory clarity” on stablecoin doesn’t fly anymore (and why it’s now do-or-die)The private credit wake-up call for public bank stocksBlock’s massive layoffs and the “AI did it” narrative (spoiler: we’re not buying it)What AI agents can do today, what they can’t, and why “human-in-the-loop” is often misunderstoodWhy bankers are uneasy about using agents for fraud, and what needs to changeThe real takeaway from a credit union CEO saying “our members aren’t asking for stablecoin”  If you’re in banking, credit unions, fintech, or payments…this episode is a fast, honest reality check on what’s coming next and how to prepare. Show Notes: Block Lays Off 40% Of Staff And Blames It On AI. Don’t Buy The Excuse.2026 What's Going On In Banking Industry Report  Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82 Chapters [0:00] Live from “New Jersey Island” + GAC recap [1:48] Optimism at GAC… and the regulatory undercurrent [4:19] Kraken gets Fed access: why banks should pay attention [5:10] “Crypto isn’t a threat?” The wake-up call [6:41] Stablecoin: “regulatory clarity” is no longer an excuse [7:23] Big banks, credit quality, and the private credit threat [8:19] Block layoffs: the “AI made us do it” claim [12:06] Klarna vs Affirm: a real-world agent experience [18:05] AI agents in fraud: why 40% aren’t comfortable [27:08] “Members aren’t asking for stablecoin” (and why that’s the wrong lens)   Send a text Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    34 min

  2. FEB 28

    2 Fintech Deals Shaking Up the Banking Landscape

    Capital One buys Brex for $5B. Goldman Sachs builds AI agents with Anthropic. MrBeast acquires a fintech. This isn’t a headline mashup — it’s what’s happening in banking right now. In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant break down the biggest moves reshaping financial services — and what they mean for banks and credit unions without megabank budgets. Inside the conversation: What the Capital One + Brex deal signals for SMB bankingWhy Goldman’s AI “digital coworkers” change the build vs. buy debateHow AI agents may reshape back-office operationsThe emerging battle to own the checking account workflowWhy banks are no longer just competing on rates, but on softwareFrom stablecoins to autonomous AI, this episode separates strategy from hype and highlights what institutions should actually be paying attention to. Show Notes: Goldman Equips AI Agents to do Trade Accounting, OnboardingInvasion of the Job Snatchers: Digital Bank Workers Have Arrived | Bank DirectorRon's Take on Array Acquiring Chimney  The 2026 What's Going On In Banking Report is NOW LIVE!! Download the Report: https://lnkd.in/gBNhy53PWatch the recap of the Webinar: https://vimeo.com/1166796761  Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking Chapters [0:00] Welcome + Arizona Recap & Stablecoin Talk [3:10] Capital One’s $5B Brex Deal [5:35] Why SMBs Expect Integrated Banking Tech [7:27] SMB Segmentation: Capital, Industry, Technology [10:19] Strategy Over Scale: The Real Growth Question [11:14] Goldman Sachs Builds AI “Digital Coworkers” [13:05] What AI Agents Actually Do (And Don’t Do) [17:23] AI Risks, Bias & The Human Factor [19:25] MrBeast, Grab & The Fintech Acquisition Wave [20:36] The Hidden Battle for the Checking Account Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    27 min

  3. FEB 26

    AI, Crypto, and Fraud—Oh My! // The 2026 What's Going On In Banking Report

    In this special bonus episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors, is joined by Steve Williams, CEO & Partner of Cornerstone Advisors, to break down the findings from the 2026 WGOIB Webinar Report. Based on insights from 400+ banks and credit unions, this report reveals how financial institutions are preparing for what’s next in: Artificial Intelligence strategy and investmentCrypto’s evolving role in bankingThe escalating fraud crisisTechnology spending prioritiesGrowth and competitive pressures in 2026If you want to understand where the industry is actually heading — not just the hype — this episode delivers the data behind the decisions.   Download the full report: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/research/whats-going-on-in-banking-2026 Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking Chapters [0:00] Welcome & Bonus Episode Overview [1:45] Why 2026 Will Be a Pivotal Year for Banking [4:30] Inside the Survey: 400+ Banks & Credit Unions Weigh In [7:15] AI Strategy: Where Banks Are Investing (and Where They’re Not) [11:20] Crypto in 2026: Reality vs. Hype [14:40] The Fraud Explosion: What’s Keeping Executives Up at Night [18:10] Technology Spending Priorities for 2026 [22:00] Growth, Competition & Strategic Shifts [25:30] What Leaders Should Be Doing Right Now [28:00] Final Takeaways & How to Access the Full Report Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    38 min

  4. FEB 14

    AI, Data, and the Execution Gap in Banking

    Banks are racing into AI and “data strategy” — but most can’t clearly define what they’re actually doing. Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant break down why chasing trends won’t fix broken strategy, and why specificity, execution, and focus matter more than hype. If you're in banking or fintech, this is the reality check you need.   The 2026 What's Going On In Banking Report is NOW LIVE!! Download the Report: https://lnkd.in/gBNhy53PRegister for the Webinar, Feb 25th at 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/events-and-webinars/whats-going-on-in-banking-2026 Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking  Chapters [0:00] AI Hype vs. Strategy [6:30] The Problem With “Just Doing AI” [8:26] Test, Learn, Scale Explained [15:07] What Kind of Data Are We Talking About? [15:25] Customer vs. Market vs. Operational Data [16:26] Execution Quality & Data IQ [18:32] Where Financial Institutions Get Stuck [20:00] Practical Advice for 2026 [26:31] Final Takeaways Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    28 min

  5. JAN 24

    Credit Card Caps, Couch Cushion Crypto Yields, and the Apple Card Reset: Politics Meets Banking Reality

    A 10% credit card rate cap. Crypto offering yield. Apple ditching Goldman for JPMorgan Chase. In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant break down the real-world consequences of headline-grabbing policy ideas, why buy now, pay later keeps winning with consumers, and what banks are getting right and wrong about crypto, partnerships, and relevance in 2026. This isn’t political theater. It’s banking reality. If you work in banking, fintech, payments, or credit unions, this episode is required listening. Show Notes: Banks Cry Foul Over High-Yielding Tokens as Crypto Fight Simmers in WashingtonThe Proposed Credit Card Interest Rate Cap Is All Politics, No Policy Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking Chapters [0:00] Welcome & catching up at Cornerstone [2:45] The proposed 10% credit card rate cap [4:45] Why the cap could hurt consumers most [7:15] Buy Now, Pay Later vs credit cards [10:25] Is BNPL the new “starter credit”? [11:40] Should crypto be allowed to offer yield? [14:05] Are banks overestimating the crypto threat? [17:05] Apple Card: Goldman out, JPMorgan in [19:20] What Apple & Goldman got wrong [20:40] Final thoughts & what banks should focus on Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    21 min

  6. JAN 10

    AI, Crypto, and Fraud, Oh My: The 2026 Banking Forecast

    2026 is here — and banking is officially walking into the unknown. In the first What’s Going On in Banking episode of the year, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant unpack the biggest forces shaping financial services right now: AI agents, crypto & stablecoins, fraud risks, fintech competition, and what banks think they’re prioritizing vs. what actually gets done. From Wizard of Oz metaphors to real-world data from hundreds of bank and credit union executives, this episode delivers a sneak peek into the What’s Going On in Banking 2026 Report and why engagement, data utilization, and payments may matter more than ever. If you work in banking, fintech, or credit unions, this is a must-watch to understand what’s changing and what’s being underestimated.   Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking Chapters: [0:00] Welcome to 2026 & Gonzo Banker Awards recap [2:05] The legendary “Gonzoquito” moment 🍹 [4:55] Sneak peek: What’s in the 2026 Banking Report [6:35] AI, Crypto & Fraud: Banking’s new “scary forest” [9:35] Top concerns for banks & credit unions in 2026 [12:35] Cost of funds vs. deposit gathering—what’s misunderstood [15:20] Fintechs, Coinbase & the real competitive threat [19:00] Consumer behavior, engagement & digital expectations [22:40] Why P2P payments jumped to #1 for credit unions [29:45] AI agents, MCP & why “not ready for prime time” matters Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    35 min

  7. 12/06/2025

    From Agentic AI to SoFi Crypto: What’s Really Going On in Banking

    AI is redefining banking, travel, creativity, and how financial institutions must evolve. In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Stacey Bryant and Ron Shevlin dive into the future of generative AI, the creativity gap in banking, SoFi’s bold crypto move, and why most banks are dangerously behind consumer expectations. From real-world AI travel examples to new research showing massive crypto demand from Gen Z, millennials, and even Gen X, this conversation unpacks what’s coming in 2026 — and what banks must do to survive it. Subscribe to the What’s Going On In Banking podcast here:  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking  Chapters: [0:00] Welcome + What’s Cooking in Banking [0:34] Stacey’s Food & Travel Story [1:42] Industry Events & CMN Support [3:13] Ron’s New Granddaughter Update [4:48] What Banks Are Asking About AI [5:32] The McKinsey AI Travel Example [7:30] Could AI Build Your Financial Life Itinerary? [9:03] Ron Clarifies What Generative AI Really Is [12:21] Jobs, Creativity & the Human Side of AI [20:54] SoFi, Crypto Demand & The Future of Banking Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    27 min

  8. 11/08/2025

    Money20/20, AI Agents, and the Fiserv Fallout

    From the floor of Money20/20 to Wall Street’s reaction to Fiserv’s meltdown — Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant break down what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s next in banking. They dive into the rise of “agentic AI,” fintech’s surprising optimism, and the inspiring leadership lessons from American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking. Tune in for straight talk, smart takes, and a little snark from two of the industry’s sharpest voices. Subscribe to the What’s Going On In Banking podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking  Chapters: [0:00] Welcome to “What’s Going On in Banking” [1:00] Ron’s wild Money20/20 marathon (and foodie confessions) [4:00] The real talk from Money20/20: AI hype vs. real innovation [6:30] How “agentic AI” is changing M&A and lending [8:45] Open banking or integration economics? Ron’s hot take [10:45] Fintech is back — or did it ever leave? [13:00] Stacey’s recap: The Most Powerful Women in Banking event [16:50] Lessons in leadership from Jill Castilla and Julie Thurlow [20:15] Fiserv’s stock shock — what really happened [24:30] Wall Street, core consolidation, and what banks should learn [26:45] Final thoughts and wrap-up Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to the What's Going On In Banking podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82

    27 min
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4.5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

What's Going On In Banking brings you the latest in Banking, Finance, and Fintech with insights and commentary from industry leaders, and breaking news as it happens. Hosted by Cornerstone Advisor's Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer, and Stacey Bryant, Director of Client Development.

Information

  • Creator
    Ron Shevlin & Stacey Bryant, Cornerstone Advisors
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 What's Going On In Banking
  • Show Website
    What's Going On In Banking

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