Cornerstone Advisors

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Updated Jan 24

JAN 22

Fintech Hustle 2026 Kickoff: AI, Stablecoins, and the New “Community”

Kicking off 2026 with a strategy-focused episode of Fintech Hustle. Sam Kilmer (Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors) and co-host Kelli Schultz (Principal, Cornerstone Advisors) are joined by Erica Pilon (Head of Strategy, Jack Henry) and Scott Hildenbrand (Chief Balance Sheet Strategist, Piper Sandler) to discuss what’s changing in banking and fintech, and what winners will do differently. Topics include: vendor strategy and fintech partnerships, stablecoin and payments, customer-first balance sheet thinking, redefining “community,” why bank valuations aren’t reflecting performance, and the missed marketing opportunities banks keep repeating. What’s your top strategic priority for 2026? 00:00 Intro + 2026 kickoff 01:00 Erica Pilon intro + strategy shifts 05:00 Jack Henry priorities, fintech alliances, ecosystem 09:30 Scott Hildenbrand: ALCO, balance sheet, M&A 12:00 Deposit chaos and customer-first ALCO 14:00 Redefining “community” and loyalty vs trust 17:30 What’s “broken”: integration + standards 24:00 What’s “broken”: marketing and telling the story 29:45 What’s “jazzing” them: stablecoin + opportunity 32:30 Wrap Click to watch more! https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/ Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/

Jan 22

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34 min
JAN 14

Not Your Typical Q1 Outlook

They’re back. Al and Steve kick off the year by discussing the biggest forces shaping banking right now, including something particularly challenging: growth. From how banks are allocating capital to how leaders ought to measure results, they unpack what’s working, what isn’t, and preview themes from Ron Shevlin’s upcoming 2026 What’s Going On In Banking report. Subscribe to the Plugged In podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/plugged-in Chapters: [00:00] Welcome to 2026 & “I’m Still Standing” [01:15] Why Bank Size Doesn’t Equal Ambition [02:30] Growth Is Harder Than It Looks [03:35] “Grow or Go” Is Too Simple [04:40] Capital Allocation is more important than Asset Growth [06:05] Discipline Beats Scale [07:40] Making Technology Pay for Itself [09:45] When to Kill a Tech Investment [11:05] “Running Up That Hill” & Tech Roadmaps [15:55] What Banks Must Get Right Next

Jan 14

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21 min
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

Jan 24

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21 min
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

Jan 10

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35 min
12/17/2025

Don’t Call It a Comeback w/ Jim Reuter

What inspires a seasoned bank CEO to come out of retirement? As Jim Reuter, CEO and president of First Interstate Bank, tells Al and Steve on the show: “There’s a saying . …that musicians don’t retire until there’s no music left in them. There was still some music left in me.” They discuss his career, succession best practices and some of the biggest forces reshaping regional banking. Plus, they offer up their 2026 predictions. Subscribe to the Plugged In podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/plugged-in Chapters: [00:00] Jim Rueter Returns to Plugged In [01:00] From FirstBank to First Interstate [02:10] Vinyl Vault & Music Themes [03:00] Why Jim Came Out of Retirement [05:00] Leadership Lessons & Succession [06:40] Growth Barriers & Competition [08:20] Brand Density and Digital Strategy [11:30] Deposit Displacement Reality Check [16:00] The Scale Debate in Banking [19:15] The ROI of Technology [23:50] 2026 Banking Predictions [26:40] Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up

12/17/2025

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28 min
JAN 22

The Branch Will See You Now

It’s January, and people are thinking about their money habits again. Mary talks with Andy Bandyopadhyay, PhD, founder and CEO at Attune Insights, about why financial institutions ought to seize the moment and encourage consumers to make financial health appointments at their branches. They chat about how financial health isn’t a tool or a tab and why PFM rarely changes behavior. Show notes: Attune Insights Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters: [00:00] Welcome to Money Isn’t Everything + Introducing Andy Bandyopadhyay [01:05] New Year, New You: Why Financial Health Starts With Looking [03:23] Financial Health Appointments & Using the Branch Differently [05:32] How Credit Unions Can Pilot Financial Health Centers [07:17] Why Personal Financial Management (PFM) Tools Failed [10:57] Knowing vs Doing: Why Information Alone Doesn’t Change Behavior [12:31] Access Barriers: When Financial Help Is Hard to Reach [16:05] Measuring Outcomes, Not Just Engagement Metrics [22:50] The Myth: Finance Employees Are “Fine” Financially [31:49] The Future of Financial Health, Trust & AI Send us a text

Jan 22

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37 min
12/03/2025

The Beat Goes On in Banking w/ Archie Brown

Regional banks don’t often get compared to pop music, but maybe they should. On the show today, First Financial Bank President and CEO Archie Brown explains why great banks survive turbulence by evolving with the times, just like great pop artists. He talks with Al and Steve about what credit risk actually looks like today and how midsize banks can hold their own against the industry’s giants. Plus, they explore the value of only focusing on what you can control. As Archie puts it: “There’s nothing else you can do.” Subscribe to the Plugged In podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/plugged-in Chapters: [00:00] Intro – Welcoming Archie Brown [00:54] Optimism, Adversity & “Better Days” [02:00] Why High-Performing Banks Don’t Get Respect [04:45] Credit Risk: The Market Gets It Wrong [08:22] Competing With the Big Banks: Talent & Tech [11:29] Tech Investment & AI: Moving Faster Than Goliath [14:06] Knowing When to Double Down vs. Walk Away [17:17] Pop Music, Banking & Evolving Without Losing Identity [20:36] Leadership in a Digital-First World [23:42] Closing Thoughts & What’s Next

12/03/2025

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24 min
11/17/2025

2025 in Fintech: The Best Insights from Fintech Hustle Podcast

Host Sam Kilmer looks back at the year’s most quoted hallway moments—packed with real-world takes on AI (purposeful, not buzzwordy), stablecoins (watch the fiat on/off-ramps), data activation (from “we have it” to “we use it”), and go-to-market alignment. Highlights include an AI reality check from a startup CEO, pragmatic stablecoin guidance from an investing leader, compliance and fraud implications for the AI era, organizing sales + marketing around bookings, and why community FIs must aim for personalization beyond product silos. Plus a few road-warrior stories (Grace Potter sighting, sun-safe merch) to cap a big year. Links Sam Kilmer (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/ Fintech Hustle (Cornerstone site): https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/ Key Moments00:04 Flashback setup: a “greatest-hits-ish” reel—AI, stablecoin, data, GTM 01:23 AI culture shift: a CEO’s take on leaders who hoped to “retire before it hits” 03:06 Stablecoin sanity check (rooftop chat): focus on fiat ↔ stablecoin conversions now 05:07 AI’s compounding edge: “It’s the dumbest it will ever be today”—early adopters win on efficiency, profitability, M&A leverage 07:18 Purposeful AI: define the outcome first (ops efficiency, intimacy, personalization), then pick the tech 08:25 GTM org design: marketing + sales co-own accounts and bookings; content ≠ handoff forms 10:48 Data to action: banks have data—now align strategy, frontline, and offers to actually use it 12:03 Sign-off: community, road notes, and gearing up for 2026’s guest slate

11/17/2025

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14 min
12/04/2025

The Case for Friction: Rethinking Speed in Banking

Slowing down payments could be a selling point. On the show, Mary talks with Erik Beguin, CEO of Austin Capital Bank, about why friction can be a feature, not a flaw. Plus, they unpack the rising wave of fraud, how security and convenience clash and why it’s time to measure success by protection, not just profits. Show notes - Austin Capital Bank Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters: [00:00] Fraud Is Exploding [02:10] Why Fraud Numbers Are All Underreported [04:45] The Emotional Trap: Denial & Embarrassment [07:20] Seniors and the Bitcoin ATM Scam Surge [10:15] Why “Education” Isn’t Stopping Fraud [14:00] Pig Butchering: The Scam You Don’t See Coming [18:30] Why Victims Stay Silent [22:40] How Fraudsters Stay Ahead of Banks [26:50] What Consumers Actually Need to Stay Safe [30:30] Erik Beguin’s Call to Action Send us a text

12/04/2025

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33 min
10/29/2025

Purposeful AI, Tokenized Mortgages, and What Community Banks Must Do Next

Host Sam Kilmer gathers Reva Rao (Head of Digital Transformation, Blend), David Ladic (SVP, Zafin), Adam Aspes (Partner, FINTOP), and co-host Kelli Schultz for a candid hallway conversation. They trade “day-in-the-life” views (and nonstop event planning), argue for purposeful AI over buzzwords, and unpack regulator-ready AI governance (from “know your agent” to vendor disclosures). The group debates blockchain/tokenization in mortgages, smart-contract enforcement, fraud realities, and whether consumers even care about the rails—so long as pricing and trust improve. It closes with a challenge to community FIs: get entrepreneurial, use your data, personalize beyond product silos, and solve for outcomes—not tech for tech’s sake. Key Moments 00:11 Guest lineup and setup from the halls of fintech to real operator stories 08:45 Events as strategy why orchestration and education matter as much as product 13:22 Purposeful AI prioritize problems, outcomes, and ROI rather than buzzwords 20:36 Governance and exams “know your agent,” vendor AI disclosures, anonymization, and risk 28:32 Tokenization debate on chain home equity, cost dynamics, smart contract enforcement, and whether consumers care 42:10 What’s broken and what wins data driven personalization and a call for FI entrepreneurship 47:03 Wrap and takeaways solve outcomes first and let tech follow

10/29/2025

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47 min

Welcome to Cornerstone's podcasts, where we bring you the latest in banking, finance, and fintech. Tune in for guest views, expert opinions, and deep dives into trending topics. From blockchain and digital currencies to regulatory compliance and customer experience, we cover a wide range of topics that keep you "in the know." Subscribe to stay up-to-date and informed!

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Cornerstone Advisors

Top Shows

Fintech Hustle 2026 Kickoff: AI, Stablecoins, and the New “Community”

Not Your Typical Q1 Outlook

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

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

Don’t Call It a Comeback w/ Jim Reuter

The Branch Will See You Now

The Beat Goes On in Banking w/ Archie Brown

2025 in Fintech: The Best Insights from Fintech Hustle Podcast

The Case for Friction: Rethinking Speed in Banking

Purposeful AI, Tokenized Mortgages, and What Community Banks Must Do Next

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