Kicking off 2026 with a strategy-focused episode of Fintech Hustle. Sam Kilmer (Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors) and co-host Kelli Schultz (Principal, Cornerstone Advisors) are joined by Erica Pilon (Head of Strategy, Jack Henry) and Scott Hildenbrand (Chief Balance Sheet Strategist, Piper Sandler) to discuss what’s changing in banking and fintech, and what winners will do differently.

Topics include: vendor strategy and fintech partnerships, stablecoin and payments, customer-first balance sheet thinking, redefining “community,” why bank valuations aren’t reflecting performance, and the missed marketing opportunities banks keep repeating.

What’s your top strategic priority for 2026?

00:00 Intro + 2026 kickoff
01:00 Erica Pilon intro + strategy shifts
05:00 Jack Henry priorities, fintech alliances, ecosystem
09:30 Scott Hildenbrand: ALCO, balance sheet, M&A
12:00 Deposit chaos and customer-first ALCO
14:00 Redefining “community” and loyalty vs trust
17:30 What’s “broken”: integration + standards
24:00 What’s “broken”: marketing and telling the story
29:45 What’s “jazzing” them: stablecoin + opportunity
32:30 Wrap

Click to watch more!
https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/