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/gBNhy53P
• Register 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

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 Washington
• The 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

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

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

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

In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant break down Fifth Third’s $10.9B merger with Comerica, exploring why it’s less of a merger and more of a financial fusion reactor. Then, they dive into U.S. Bancorp’s bet on stablecoins and what it means for the future of payments, strategy, and tech modernization in banking.

From strategic jujitsu to smart money, this episode is a must-listen for anyone tracking the next wave of bank innovation.

Show Notes:

• “Fifth Third’s $11 Billion Question: Build or Buy?” GonzoBanker article: https://www.crnrstone.com/gonzobanker/fifth-thirds-11-billion-question-build-or-buy
• “U.S. Bancorp Sees Embedded Payments and Stablecoins as Growth Drivers” PYMNTS article: https://www.pymnts.com/earnings/2025/us-bancorp-sees-embedded-payments-stablecoins-growth-drivers/ 

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 + Horseback Adventures in Montana 
[1:00] Banking camaraderie & staying relevant in the age of AI 
[2:00] Fifth Third’s $10.9B Comerica merger explained 
[4:00] Why “bigger” isn’t the goal—“better” is 
[6:00] Strategic jujitsu: the fusion reactor of banking 
[8:00] What smaller banks can learn from the merger 
[10:00] Tech modernization as the new M&A driver 
[12:00] U.S. Bancorp’s stablecoin strategy revealed 
[16:00] Why banks can’t wait for stablecoin “demand” 
[22:00] The moonshot moment for stablecoins 
[24:00] Final thoughts & what’s next in smarter banking 

From AI “workslop” to Nubank’s U.S. charter to major fintech acquisitions — this episode of What’s Going On in Banking dives into the biggest stories shaping financial services right now.

Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant debate whether AI is really making us less creative, discuss why Nubank’s U.S. expansion could be a fintech turning point, and break down the wave of consolidation among the big core providers.

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
[1:18] Ron & Stacey talk data conferences and new research
[1:47] The rise of “workslop” — AI-generated fluff or productivity killer?
[3:37] Is the “workslop” study fair—or missing the point?
[6:35] Management, authenticity, and catching AI-written work
[11:33] Nubank’s U.S. charter — fintechs going global
[14:49] U.S. innovation vs. global disruption
[19:07] “Fintech Hunger Games” — competition heats up
[19:41] Fintech acquisition spree: FIS, Fiserv & Jack Henry
[26:02] Wrap-up and what’s next in banking

In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant dive into the biggest takeaways from Jack Henry Connect and Finovate. From game-changing onboarding strategies to fraud dispute innovation, we unpack what’s really moving the needle in banking tech. 

They also discuss the emotional side of fintech, remember community leaders, and tackle the hot debate: are 99% of AI startups doomed? Tune in for insights, stories, and talk about the future of financial services.

Chapters

[0:00] Welcome & On the Road Edition

[1:00] Highlights from Jack Henry Connect & Finovate

[2:40] Women in Financial Services & Generational Mentorship

[4:10] Best Demos & The Power of Onboarding

[6:30] Fraud Resolution as a Differentiator

[10:40] Echo, Deposit Outflows & Fintech Competition

[15:20] Remembering Barb McLean & Industry Tributes

[16:30] Jack Henry’s Human Side & Emotional Moments

[19:20] Are 99% of AI Startups Doomed?

[25:30] Build vs Buy: What Banks Should Really Focus On

Subscribe to the What’s Going On In Banking podcast here: 

https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking 

In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant unpack the latest moves from Revolut, Chime, and Nubank. 

Revolut tries its hand at signing up NYC commuters in subway stations, while Chime partners with Workday to reach employees — and even taps into music influencers to grow its brand. Meanwhile, Nubank continues its explosive growth in Brazil, powered by instant payments and niche strategies that U.S. banks could learn from. The conversation dives into what’s hype, what’s real, and where the future of neobanks is headed.

Chapters:

[0:00] Welcome Back + Summer Recap

[1:25] Revolut’s Bold NYC Subway Campaign

[6:08] Why Neobanks Struggle in the U.S.

[8:14] Chime + Workday Collaboration Debate

[13:30] What Makes a Primary Checking Account?

[18:53] Chime’s Music & Influencer Strategy

[21:24] Spotlight on Nubank’s Explosive Growth

[25:51] Lessons from Brazil’s Instant Payments (PIX)

[28:40] Banking Niches, AI & Strategic Planning

[29:54] Wrap-Up + Next Episode Tease

Subscribe to the What’s Going On In Banking podcast here: 

https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking 

In this episode of What’s Going On in Banking, Ron Shevlin and Stacey Bryant tackle JPMorgan Chase’s controversial move to charge fintechs for data access—is it smart strategy or a threat to innovation? Then we dive into Goldman Sachs’ bold AI rollout and what it really means for the future of financial services.

Hot takes, real-world analogies, and a clear look at the regulatory chaos ahead.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction & Headlines

[00:31] Reactions from Fintech & Public Outcry

[02:09] Legal Uncertainty Around Rule 1033

[03:03] Economic Logic & Envelope Analogy

[06:21] Market Forces, Competition & Consumer Choice

[08:06] The Real Impact on Fintechs & Margins

[11:23] Future Outlook & Regulatory Possibilities

[16:13] AI in Banking: Goldman Sachs Case Study

[20:30] ROI & Hype vs. Reality of AI Adoption

[27:10] Starting Small & Industry Adoption Trends

Subscribe to the What’s Going On In Banking podcast here: 

https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/whats-going-on-in-banking