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

The Genius Act brings new rules to stablecoins—but should banks care? Ron and Stacey dive into regulation, misinformation, and how celebrity hype is warping financial decision-making (yes, even for affluent boomers).

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

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

Ron and Stacey vent about boardroom conversations on deposit growth, vendor chaos, and how no one wants to raise rates—but everyone wants deposits.

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 big waves reshaping the financial industry—from Chime’s bold IPO and Capital One’s acquisition of Discover to the shifting role of community banks in an increasingly digital world. Is the fintech revolution a threat or an opportunity? 

 Plus: the truth behind AI buzzwords, the risks of open banking, and why handshakes might still beat algorithms. A must-listen for bankers, fintech leaders, and anyone navigating the future of finance.

After a year-long hiatus, Ron Shevlin returns with a revamped What’s Going On in Banking, now co-hosted by the sharp and vibrant Stacey Bryant. In this episode, the co-hosts break down the FIS–Worldpay–Global Payments deal, questioning whether it’s as rosy as a deal for financial institutions as some assume.

They also dig into the chaos around artificial intelligence in banking—from vague definitions to overhyped return on investment expectations and argue that banks must improve the ways in which they use data.

Show notes

• Companies Are Struggling to Drive a Return on AI. It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way (WSJ subscription required)

Dive into the future of financial services in this highly-anticipated episode of What's Going on in Banking with Ron Shevlin and co-host Steve Williams. They unpack the evolving banking landscape—from a shift out of stormy pessimism to a cautiously optimistic outlook—covering key topics that matter most to banking professionals today.

In this episode, Ron and Steve discuss:

• Deposit Growth & Liquidity: Explore why deposit gathering remains a top priority, the impact of fintech disruption, and how banks are leveraging rate strategies and advanced analytics to compete for funds.

• Fintech Partnerships & Embedded Finance: Learn how banks and credit unions are rethinking partnerships, integrating fintech solutions, and innovating product offerings to capture younger, tech-savvy customers.

• Cybersecurity & Fraud Prevention: Delve into emerging challenges in cybersecurity and fraud, and discover why building a robust fraud tech stack is critical in today’s digital era.

• Regulatory Trends & Core Integration: Analyze the potential regulatory shifts—including changes to the CFPB’s role—and the challenges banks face in modernizing core systems while staying compliant.

• AI & Data Strategy: Uncover how generative AI and data-driven insights are poised to transform back-office operations and drive smarter banking, from credit services to customer experience.