In this episode of the Believe in Banking podcast, Gina Bleedorn and Juliet D’Ambrosio explore defining forces for banking in 2026: focus, precision, and execution. Drawing on Adrenaline’s industry research, client conversations, and market activity, they discuss how banks and credit unions are navigating increased M&A momentum, rising customer expectations, and growing pressure to deliver ROI across brand, branch, and customer experience. Their conversation explores why branches provide value for digitally native generations like Gen Z, how brand strategy provides the foundation for success, and the risk in M&A of treating integration as an afterthought. From consolidation and branch optimization to personalization and AI, Gina and Juliet share practical insights on essential strategies and investments to build relevance, resilience, and long-term value for banking and credit unions in 2026.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm