Banking with Interest

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is in flux. President Trump just nominated Acting Comptroller Brian Brooks to serve as the leader for a five-year term, but it’s not clear he can be confirmed in time, or that the Biden administration will keep him there even if he is. American Banker reporter Brenden Pedersen gives the inside scoop on the Trump administration’s 11th-hour gambit, how President-elect Biden is liable to respond, and the impact the leadership battle will have on CRA, the proposed payments charters and more.

If Republicans keep control of the Senate, Sen. Pat Toomey is expected to lead the banking panel for the next two years. What would his priorities be? Is he going to push legislation or pursue an oversight agenda? How will he treat nominees from President-elect Biden? We talk to Christopher Gahan, the former chief of staff for Sen. Toomey, to find out more about what bankers can expect.

Paula Roberts, U.S. Consumer Economist for KKR, talks about her research into how the pandemic is changing cities and the behavior of consumers. She tackles tough questions—are cities in jeopardy as a result of COVID? Will Millennials ever want to work in an office again? How will COVID permanently change consumer habits and expectations?

Of all the banking regulators, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is expected to see the most change as a result of the presidential election. Award-winning journalist Kate Berry discusses who is likely to lead the agency, what Trump administration actions they will probably roll back and what other areas they will target next. She also candidly discusses the difficulty of covering the agency, and why the legal battle over its leadership isn’t over yet.

Ed Mills, a longtime bank analyst for Raymond James, talks about who President-elect Joe Biden will appoint to the top regulatory positions at the CFPB and OCC, and how that will impact those agencies and bank regulatory policymaking overall. Plus, Mills plays a “lightning round” on how the election changes the prospects for housing finance reform, postal banking, CRA reform and much more.

Gary Cohn, the former chief economic advisor to President Trump and chief operating officer at Goldman Sachs, talks about the challenges facing banks today, including a widening technology gap. He also details how big banks need to change course to ensure employees aren’t engaging in bad behavior, discusses the need for economic stimulus in response to COVID-19 and tackles whether the workplace will change permanently as a result of the virus.

Christopher Williston, the president and CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, studied theology in college before eventually following in his father’s footsteps as head of the banking trade group. So it’s no surprise he’s willing to go deep on the fundamental challenges facing banks right now,  including how community banks can continue to survive.

Sam Maule, cohost of Fintech Insider and the managing partner for North America at fintech consultancy 11:FS, talks about whether we’re headed for a fintech apocalypse, what’s behind growing momentum for banking-as-a-service and whether banks are in danger of becoming obsolete.

Cam Fine, the former president and CEO of ICBA, and Ed Yingling, the former president and CEO of ABA, break down the key issues, races and potential outcomes for bankers as a result of the election next month. What banking issues will come to the fore if Democrats sweep the White House and Senate? What would change for banking in a second Trump administration? The two offer their unique insights into how the election will affect banks no matter the outcome.

Kathryn Petralia, the cofounder and president of small business fintech Kabbage, talks about how it became the No. 2 processor of PPP loans in the country and how the firm plans to take advantage of its PPP success. She also touches on its pending sale to American Express, the launch of business checking accounts and why she still wants a federal fintech charter.