Recorded live from Money20/20, this episode of FinTech Hustle gets into the AI questions that are starting to feel a lot less theoretical for banks, credit unions and fintechs.

Sam Kilmer sits down with Karen Buell of equipifi, Tommy Nicholas of Alloy and Adam Blue of Q2 to talk about what they’re actually hearing in the halls of Money20/20. The conversation digs into how financial institutions may handle AI agents accessing customer accounts, why fintechs can increasingly ship technology faster than their bank and credit union customers can absorb it, and why the risk of inaction may be every bit as important as the risks that come with moving too quickly.

They also get into AI-written software, what happens as machines generate more of the code and content we rely on, the importance of human experience in an AI-heavy world and a refreshingly blunt reminder for the industry: know your stuff before you say it.

Oh, and because this is Money20/20 in Vegas, the crew starts outside overlooking the Sphere and has to relocate mid-podcast when the desert decides it's done providing adequate lighting. Very professional. Very Gonzo.

Guests include:

• Tommy Nicholas - CEO, Alloy
• Karen Buell, COO, equipifi
• Adam Blue - CTO, Q2

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:

https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Chapters
[00:00] Live from Money20/20
[02:28] What’s Buzzing at Money20/20?
[07:23] AI Agents Enter the Banking Conversation
[09:00] Should AI Agents Access Your Bank Account?
[13:11] Can Banks Keep Up With the Speed of AI?
[15:30] The Risk of Inaction
[19:23] What’s Actually Exciting About AI
[22:15] What’s Broken: AI, Expertise & Knowing Your Sh*t

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Recorded at the AFT Fall Summit 2026 in San Diego, Sam Kilmer sits down with Jill Feiler, Brian Bodell, and Joe Gomez for a conversation about where banking and fintech are headed and what community financial institutions need to do to keep pace.

The group talks about why community banks and credit unions may be better positioned to innovate than many people think, why moving faster matters, and how fintech partnerships can help institutions compete. They also discuss the importance of strong client relationships, staying focused instead of chasing every new technology, and turning innovation into real value for customers and members.

The conversation also explores AI and the guardrails financial institutions need around it, fraud and identity verification, tokenized deposits, stablecoins, consolidation across the industry, and the growing competition facing community financial institutions. Through it all, one theme keeps coming back: technology is changing quickly, but relationships, trust, and understanding the people you serve still matter.

Guests

Jill Feiler — CEO, ZSuite Tech

Brian Bodell — CEO, Movemint

Joe Gomez — President & CEO, PhoenixWorx

Hosted by

Sam Kilmer

Subscribe to Fintech Hustle for more unscripted conversations with leaders across banking and fintech.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction from the AFT Fall Summit
01:30 – Jill Feiler on Leading ZSuite Tech
04:24 – Brian Bodell's Fintech Journey
07:51 – Joe Gomez and the Launch of PhoenixWorx
12:24 – Key Takeaways from the AFT Fall Summit
13:39 – Banking Consolidation and Client Relationships
15:04 – Why Community Banks Must Move Faster
16:06 – Innovation That Delivers Real Value
18:26 – What's Broken in Banking and Fintech?
20:07 – AI Adoption, Regulation and Risk
21:56 – AI Isn't Magic, but It Is Powerful
24:36 – Tokenization, Stablecoins and Industry Optimism
26:40 – Why Financial Institutions Need Trusted Guidance

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Recorded at FinovateFall 2026 in New York City, Sam Kilmer sits down with Mitch Rutledge, Shanthi Shanmugam, and Chris Sibila for a wide-ranging conversation about what’s happening across banking and fintech right now.

The group talks about how AI is becoming embedded across financial services, where banks and credit unions are still experiencing friction, why partnerships matter, and how technology can help institutions better serve customers and members.

They also dig into what leaders are seeing at FinovateFall, where innovation is gaining traction, what still needs to be fixed, and why this moment feels especially important for financial institutions trying to adapt quickly without losing sight of the people they serve.

Guests

Mitch Rutledge — CEO & Co-Founder, Vertice AI

Shanthi Shanmugam — CEO & Co-Founder, Casap

Chris Sibila — Chief Strategy & Experience Officer, Purdue Federal Credit Union

Hosted by

Sam Kilmer

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Chapters
[00:00] – Meet the Fintech Leaders
[06:52] – What’s Standing Out at FinovateFall
[08:23] – AI Beyond Efficiency
[11:16] – What’s Still Broken in Banking and Fintech
[12:38] – Where Banks and Credit Unions Feel the Most Friction
[15:58] – Using AI to Train Employees in Real Time
[16:32] – Sharing AI Innovation Across Credit Unions
[17:51] – What’s Working Right Now
[18:09] – Why This Moment in Fintech Feels Different
[19:47] – Change, Curiosity, and the Future of Community Banking
[21:29] – Closing Thoughts

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g