As the year prepares to turn, I'm wishing you a healthy, hopeful, and meaningful New Year. May 2026 bring clarity, progress, and moments that truly matter—personally and professionally. Happy New Year. 🥂 🍾

In a year defined by change, what stands out most is the steady commitment community-based financial institutions continue to show—to their customers, their employees, and the places they serve. Wishing you a peaceful holiday and an optimistic start to the year ahead.

AWS and Microsoft Present Agentic AI’s Banking Business Case buff.ly/4yYkEMR | @pymnts

Michigan likely to lose 76 bank sites in Comerica-Fifth Third deal - an estimated 55 Comerica locations and 21 Fifth Third locations are expected to shut down in Michigan. www.detroitnews.com/story/busine... | @detroitnews.com

Listen, I don't necessarily understand what's going on over at the CFPB either. But they appear to be on the verge of releasing new guidance on paycheck advance (or in the parlance of our times, earned-wage access) products. New from me: news.bloomberglaw.com/banking-law/...

Tech-Focused Erebor Bank Gains FDIC Approval for Deposit Insurance buff.ly/ekOeCwW | @pymnts

From @Axios: New bank advocacy group to go on offense. The Financial Services Forum, a trade association of the country's largest eight banks, is creating a new nonprofit to spend "tens of millions" of dollars to help inform voters and tell the banking industry's story on its terms.

America's biggest banks are ending 2025 with their stock prices at record highs, more assets on their balance sheet, and a level of regulatory freedom they haven't seen in 15 years. buff.ly/4A2Hphr | @yahoofinance

Employers added 64,000 jobs in November, but unemployment rate jumps to highest in 4 years buff.ly/UPsdDJq

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus 🎅🏼 But he’s totally bored since holiday shopping has largely moved online—guided by algorithms, recommendations, and increasingly… agentic AI.

From @BrettKing: Bankers Have Five Years to Rebuild for #AgenticAI, Or Perish buff.ly/uvHZivp | @SteveCocheo for @FinancialBrand

Should Banks Bear the Burden When Customers Get Scammed?

Wishing a joyful start to Hanukkah to all who celebrate. May the first candle bring light, reflection, and hope to your home. 🕯️✨ #Hanukkah #FestivalOfLights

America’s federally insured credit unions saw their incomes jump 21% in the third quarter. buff.ly/N8HZfLc | @pymnts

Banks struggle to keep pace as fintechs scale #agenticAI buff.ly/32zNXce | @MSN

How Bank Controls and Education Can Stop Elder Financial Fraud buff.ly/DHlpAFV | @SteveCocheo for @FinancialBrand

On 12/12, the Fintech Book Club will discuss @BrettKing's new book, Branch Tomorrow, and review the insights of his book’s contributors, @brunoevdiniz, @JimMarous, @thepsironi, @richardturrin and Fintech Book Club co-founder, @efipm. Sign up today ➡ tinyurl.com/3bu4yacx

Fintech firm Marquis alerts dozens of US banks and credit unions of a data breach after ransomware attack buff.ly/zMEde7c | @TechCrunch

As I wrap up my talk on #agenticAI at @ohiobankers, I shared this quote and reminded bankers that agentic AI isn’t going to remake the industry overnight. But slowly, steadily, and unevenly across institutions and functions, it will change how banks operate and serve customers. #OBLMainEvent2025

Appreciate this wrap up from our panel at @FintechTalents in Austin, TX on why collaboration—not competition—is the key to unlocking innovation like embedded payments and meeting modern consumer expectations. buff.ly/XCeDO0O | @JohnJEgan for finopotamus.com

Leaving the weekend's winter weather in my rear-view mirror as I head to @ohiobankers for their Main Event conference. Looking forward to warming things up with a deep dive into agentic AI.

As if on cue, look what wondered into our yard this afternoon. 🦃 He was leading three others into the woods behind our house, presumably to hide until Friday. Still a pretty bold move given the going price for turkey! 😉

"As the holiday approaches, I hope you find time to pause, recharge, and enjoy the people and moments that matter most." #HappyThanksgiving A note from our CEO, @mi_sullivan: buff.ly/tuv3xl7

FDIC Capital Rules May Push Banks to Rethink FinTech Partnerships buff.ly/n03EV8Z | @pymnts

In his latest book, Branch Tomorrow, Brett King says the branch is done, other than as a support to digital banking. The Fintech Book Club will discuss Brett’s perspective and the insights of his book’s contributors, Please join us for our next episode. Sign up today ➡ tinyurl.com/3bu4yacx

ICYMI: How JPMorgan's embrace of #AI could change banking for us all buff.ly/iakGbdO | @MeghnaWBUR, @WillisRArnold for @WBUR

Next week I’ll be in Austin for FTT Financial Services Futures 2025—where the conversations aren’t just about what’s coming, but what’s already reshaping the industry. I’m moderating two sessions. If you’re there, let’s connect. buff.ly/oS2h4Lk

"Soft switching" may be costing your institution its role as consumers’ primary financial institution, according to J.D. Power. So who’s winning? Top of the list is the #fintech Chime. Leading states for @Chime are OK, 23%; AZ, 19%; OR, 19%; SC 19%; and IN, 18%. buff.ly/ZJRfbVX | @FinancialBrand

Honoring all who served — today and every day — for their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting the freedoms we often take for granted.

We’re well into November, and three forces are already shaping the rest of the year: renewed big-bank consolidation, #agenticAI moving from curiosity to consideration, and a looser regulatory posture that’s opening new doors. Here are a few insights: buff.ly/M6HfWay

PNC boosts new-branch effort to 300 by 2030 The Pittsburgh-based bank aims to hire 2,000 new employees and open 35 new locations in Nashville and 25 in Chicago. buff.ly/Cc9D7aq | @BankingDive

With #GenZ in mind: U.S. Bank just blurred the line between credit cards and Buy Now, Pay Later with its new Split Card—an interest-free Mastercard that automatically turns every purchase into equal monthly payments.

Thrilled to be featured on @innfin 2025 #PrideinFinTech Powerlist, celebrating the incredible achievements of LGBTQIA+ leaders across FinTech! Find out more: www.innovatefinance.com/pride-in-fin... #InnovateFinance #FinTech

At this year’s #Money2020, the first #LGBTQ+ MeetUp 🏳️‍🌈 reminded me that inclusion isn’t a finish line—it’s a catalyst for innovation. When technology and identity converge, the future of finance becomes more adaptive, more inclusive, and more human. www.linkedin.com/pulse/final-...

💡The first wave of the $124T wealth transfer isn’t generational—it’s between spouses. Most of it will go to women. Banks + credit unions that earn their trust now will keep those relationships later. Download this new report from #Alkami: tinyurl.com/4c2dsfmv

Why Does Everyone Want to Be a Bank Now? Fintechs and other consumer companies are eager to take advantage of the changing regulatory mood. buff.ly/PirC91c | @business

Don't miss: "Financial Services in the Age of AI: Keys to Securing GenAI Experiences in Financial Services." I'll be joined by David Januchowski to explore how customer identity provides a secure and accessible foundation for GenAI and other digital solutions for banking customers. buff.ly/0yjH4ED

First Citizens to acquire 138 BMO branches Buying the branches, which span 11 states, furthers First Citizens’ effort to expand nationally, bank executives said. One analyst, though, said it gives the North Carolina-based lender “a weird map.” buff.ly/En6D1AP | @BankingDive

The 5 next big things in fintech and blockchain for 2025 www.fastcompany.com/91411606/fin...

Walmart Launches #AI-First Shopping Experience, Customers Can Checkout Within ChatGPT buff.ly/MHWzdvn | @pymnts

I'm excited to share that I'll be speaking at #Money20/20 USA. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️This interactive meetup will explore how financial institutions can move beyond "rainbow washing" to truly support and engage the LGBTQ+ community—creating meaningful impact and uncovering real growth opportunities. us.money2020.com

These banks might be next to pair up, says analyst who called the $11 billion Comerica sale buff.ly/OHwLGdD | @marketwatch

Deloitte is rolling out Claude to its nearly 500,000 employees after issuing a refund for a report that contained AI hallucinations.

US bank Fifth Third to buy regional lender Comerica in $10.9 billion deal - The deal will create a lender with combined assets of about $288 billion, making it the ninth-largest U.S. bank. buff.ly/4nPdEzh | @Reuters

From @BrettKing: Why Branches Will Never Be the Center of Banking Again buff.ly/6tRMX4N | @FinancialBrand

Walmart-backed #fintech OnePay is bringing #crypto to its banking app, sources say buff.ly/qGvVGno | @hugh_son for @CNBC

The inboxes of bankers & fintech leaders are flooded with weekly roundups. That’s why I’m shifting from “what happened” ➡️ to “what’s next.” In November, I'll be introducing Banking Forward—a monthly briefing on the signals that matter most. Read the full announcement: buff.ly/PTrtp8z

ICYMI: 📣 @Alkamitech has released its 2026 Budgeting & Strategies Playbook, a practical guide to help banks & CUs understand market trends, align digital strategy with customer expectations, and make smarter tech investments that fuel growth. Get yours here: buff.ly/X7JAD23

Sibos 2025: Payments innovation takes centre stage on day three buff.ly/4ilUd58 | @Fintech_Futures