A.I. Promises, Banking Realities, and a Few Hidden Gems

Episode notes

Today on the show, Al and Steve reunite in the Arizona desert to unpack the themes they have been hearing at banking conferences and boardroom meetings nationwide. Two big standouts: the practical use cases of A.I. (yes, there are some) and the surge in M&A activity. Plus, they dig into the generational shift in banking where younger consumers play the field in which financial providers they use. Chapters: [00:00] Back in the Desert - Kicking Off Plugged In [00:41] Coast to Coast: Travels and Boardroom Insights [03:09] The AI Hype Curve - Entering the Trough of Disillusionment [05:22] Real AI Wins: Chatbots, Fraud Detection & Efficiency Gains [07:24] The CFO Reality Check - Why AI Might Cost More [08:50] Finding Your Voice with ChatGPT [10:16] The Next Generation of Banking: Gen Z & Liquidity Shifts [12:54] Creating Capacity and Strengthening Franchise Value [14:08] The M&A Wave: Big Brands, Big Bets, and Faster Deals [18:15] Speed, Purpose, and the Future of Banking

• Starting a Bank in the Age of AI58 / 100
• The Long Game (with Bourbon on the Side) // CEO Ja Hillebrand
• Not Your Typical Q1 Outlook
• Don’t Call It a Comeback w/ Jim Reuter
• The Beat Goes On in Banking w/ Archie Brown