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 concern
• Kraken’s banking arm getting direct access to the Fed’s payment rails, and what that signals for banks
• Why “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 stocks
• Block’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 misunderstood
• Why bankers are uneasy about using agents for fraud, and what needs to change
• The 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

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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)

 

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