Something @psbdc.bsky.social posted reminded me that honoring Dr. King’s legacy isn’t just about reflection—it’s about action. 🫶🏼 Small, human acts matter. Volunteering a few hours, supporting a local organization, or simply checking in on a neighbor all help strengthen the fabric of our communities.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood better than almost anyone that racial justice and economic justice are inextricably intertwined. Watch his powerful call to end poverty from his final Sunday Sermon.

Valley Bank’s ‘That’s How’ Campaign Takes People’s Needs at Heart A new go-to-market brand campaign, “That’s How,” marking an evolution of the bank’s identity as it approaches its 100-year anniversary in 2027.

Recently, @JimMarous made this point: “Serving the underserved is no longer optional for financial institutions.” This map shows just how much of the country that statement applies to — and why it matters for growth and relevance.

"States with lots of banks, such as TX, IL, OH, MN and PA, are likely to see continued consolidation. Regional plays will continue, particularly among $10 billion- to $100 billion-asset banks" M&A in 2026 may put more distance between big, small banks buff.ly/rsKt5kU | @BankingDive

👉🏼 @LedaGlyptis ponders the question: "Is the gap between the reality inside our organisations and the things futurists are talking about getting wider?" buff.ly/PuWgha4 | @Fintech_Futures

Early 2026 is shaping up to be a year of positioning. This month’s Bank Forward breaks down three shifts already in motion—from policy and payments to charters and structure—and what they mean for community banks and credit unions planning ahead. tinyurl.com/2xc9bt5x

Great question from @psb_dc: Are we building and measuring what really matters? @tiffanimontez, @stessacohen, @AlloyLabs' Pam Kaur and I shared a few insights. buff.ly/DVi02AC | @Fintech_Futures

Federal Reserve independence is also necessary for regulating banks www.marketplace.org/story/2026/0...

US justice department opens criminal probe into Fed chair Jerome Powell bbc.com/news/article...

Agentic AI in Banking Will Follow Three Tracks. Fintechs Lead in All of Them buff.ly/Cujnjm3 | @FinancialBrand

Huntington Bancshares and Cadence Bank Shareholders Approve Pending Merger

Former Piedmont Bank execs start Georgia de novo The bank, aiming to serve small-business clients, is scheduled to open in late February or early March. buff.ly/39zlh0f

Brazilian digital bank PicPay files for U.S. IPO buff.ly/DuuTi2J | @AmerBanker

🫣 @Go_MARQUIS data breach toll rises to 80 banks, 824,000 consumers buff.ly/WfkApdV | @AmerBanker

PNC Bank closes $4.1B FirstBank deal, becoming a top Colorado bank

What a year at the Fintech Book Club! 📚 From BaaS to AI ethics, from branch evolution to customer-centricity—5 books exploring banking's transformation. Follow us buff.ly/h5yVVt8 and join our quarterly LinkedIn Live discussions in 2026! buff.ly/JS6mjJK | @stessacohen @efipm

From @TheNCUA: Cybersecurity and Credit Union System Resilience Annual Report to Congress

Crypto Users Face Home Invasions as Physical Attacks Double buff.ly/H09NHuz | @pymnts

Bank of America CEO says he hired 2,000 recent Gen Z grads from 200,000 applications, and many are scared about the future

ICYMI: New Jersey-based OceanFirst Financial Corp. has announced a merger with Flushing Financial Corporation that will create a regional bank with $23 billion in assets across New Jersey, Long Island and New York markets. buff.ly/Eayb3NN

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.