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