Banking with Interest
177 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago -Banking with Interest, a podcast by IntraFi, features in-depth analysis and insight into the policy changes reshaping the banking industry. With insightful interviews and previews of pending policy challenges, the podcast is an essential listen for anyone connected to the financial services industry.
Banking with Interest is hosted by Rob Blackwell, an award-winning former journalist with more than two decades of experience as an expert on financial services policy. He is now Chief Content Officer and Head of External Affairs with IntraFi.
The podcast theme song was written and produced by Stellar Tracks courtesy of Pond5. The information, views, and opinions expressed during Banking With Interest belong solely to Rob Blackwell and his guests and do not represent those of IntraFi LLC, its directors, management, or employees. Any ideas and strategies contained within the podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or investment advice.
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Episodes
Are Banks Ready for the Deposit Battle Royale in 2023?
February 28, 2023 11:00 - 39 minutes - 30.5 MBBankers nationwide are experiencing heightened competition for deposits as consumers increasingly recognize their ability to shop for the best rate. Neil Stanley, founder and CEO of The CorePoint, discusses the best strategies banks can use to keep their existing deposits and attract new ones.
What Other Banks Can Learn from Wells Fargo’s Past Troubles
February 14, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 20.9 MBKevin Wack, national editor for American Banker, talks about his multi-part series examining the phony-accounts scandal at Wells Fargo, how he persuaded a former key executive there to provide previously unknown details about what happened, and what other institutions can learn.
Inside the CFPB's Battle Over Credit Card Late Fees
February 07, 2023 11:00 - 27 minutes - 20.7 MBThe CFPB surprised the banking industry last week by proposing to limit credit card late fees to $8, a much lower figure than most expected. Ian Katz, managing director of Capital Alpha Partners and a former Bloomberg reporter, discusses what other specifics are in the plan, how the industry is reacting, and how the issue is likely to play out this year.
Are the FHLBs Dangerously Off Mission?
January 31, 2023 11:00 - 29 minutes - 22 MBWhile the Federal Housing Finance Agency conducts a historic review of the Federal Home Loan Banks’ mission, several critics are questioning whether the housing government-sponsored enterprises have lost sight of their original purpose. Karen Shaw Petrou, managing partner of Federal Financial Analytics details the controversy, and how the FHLBs should be reformed.
Banking-as-a-Service is “Here to Stay,” New Association CEO Says
January 24, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 22 MBBill Briggs, a key architect of the Paycheck Protection Program, talks about his just-announced role as the CEO of the Banking as a Service Association, a group representing banks that partner with fintechs to allow them to offer financial services. He discusses the need for a new set of best practices and how he believes the model is here for good despite enhanced regulatory scrutiny of bank-fintech partnerships.
Rodgin Cohen on Crypto, Capital and M&A Challenges
January 17, 2023 10:00 - 44 minutes - 36.9 MBH. Rodgin Cohen, the senior chair of Sullivan & Cromwell and one of the country’s preeminent bank lawyers, talks about how heightened regulatory scrutiny of M&A is impacting the industry, whether some banks are “too big to manage,” the Fed’s plans to raise capital, and the dire need for crypto regulations.
Pardon The Interruption: The Banking Policy Edition
December 13, 2022 11:00 - 50 minutes - 44.4 MBPolite disagreement is overrated. Richard Hunt, the former CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, and Jaret Seiberg, a top bank analyst with Cowen Washington Research Group, spar (and sometimes agree) over several critical topics in financial services. That includes pending Fed changes to capital standards, Zelle alterations, FedNow, CRA reform, FTX's fallout, CFPB’s future, pot banking and much more.
Inside the Battle Over Fed Master Accounts
December 06, 2022 11:00 - 31 minutes - 27.4 MBThe Fed is proposing to name all nonbank companies that apply for—and ultimately receive—a master account with the central bank. Kyle Campbell, the Fed reporter for American Banker, goes through why this issue matters to banks, how it connects to both a lawsuit and possible legislation, and where it’s going next.
Why Regulators Need to Rework CRA Reform: Ludwig
November 29, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutes - 41.6 MBEugene Ludwig, the former Comptroller of the Currency who led the last successful effort to reform the Community Reinvestment Act, details why the current proposal by regulators needs to be reproposed. He also tackles how banks should be evaluating their fintech partnerships in light of supervisory scrutiny, and how he sees the fintech sector as a managing partner at venture capital fund Canapi Ventures.
What Election Surprises, Crypto Chaos and Twitter Meltdown Mean for Bankers
November 15, 2022 14:30 - 52 minutes - 49.2 MBIt’s been another hectic week in the financial regulatory world, with Democrats unexpectedly outperforming in the midterm elections while separately another crypto meltdown ensued. But what will this mean for bankers? John Heltman, the Washington Bureau Chief of American Banker, and Brendan Pedersen, the financial services reporter for PunchBowl News, provide analysis on Democrats keeping the Senate, Rep. Patrick McHenry as the likely chairman of House Financial Services Committee, and wheth...
Brookings’ Klein on Stablecoin’s Downsides, CBDC Myths and More Fed Cowbell
November 08, 2022 11:00 - 46 minutes - 34.2 MBAaron Klein, the Miriam K. Carliner Chair and senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution, discusses how the growth of stablecoins could hurt banks, why financial inclusion isn’t going to be solved by a central bank digital currency and why D.C. always wants to give the Federal Reserve more power.
“It’s a Mess”: The Many Implications of the CFPB’s Legal Nightmare
November 01, 2022 10:00 - 58 minutes - 47.9 MBTwo journalists who have covered the CFPB for years grapple with the bewildering array of questions stemming from the recent federal appeals court ruling that said the agency’s funding is unconstitutional. What happens if the Supreme Court upholds the ruling? And how long will it take for the issue to be resolved?
NYT’s Emily Flitter on Big Finance’s White Wall
October 25, 2022 10:00 - 36 minutes - 34.1 MBEmily Flitter, a senior banking reporter for the New York Times and author of The White Wall: How Big Finance Bankrupts Black America, discusses why she decided to write the book, what she uncovered, and how discrimination continues to be a formidable challenge.
How the Midterm Election Will Impact Bankers
October 18, 2022 10:00 - 46 minutes - 40.7 MBTwo experts on banking and politics – Cam Fine, the former CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America and Ed Yingling, the former CEO of the American Bankers Association – talk about how the different election outcomes will affect the industry. That includes a look at what legislation is likely to pass if the GOP seizes the House and Senate, and what agencies and rules Republicans will target.
Brave New World: How Banks Are Facing the Challenge of Rising Rates
October 11, 2022 20:30 - 46 minutes - 34.4 MBMatt Pieniazek, president and CEO of Darling Consulting Group, talks about what banks are doing right—and wrong—as they adjust their balance sheets to the Fed’s unprecedented recent rate hikes. He warns of the most common mistakes banks are making, and how to fix them.
Utah Banker’s Headlee on ILCs, Digital Currencies, and CUs Buying Banks
October 04, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 38.2 MBHoward Headlee, the president and CEO of the Utah Bankers Association, takes issue with some bankers’ concern that industrial bank applications by Ford and Rakuten will blur the lines between banking and commerce. He also sharply criticizes banks that sell to credit unions and predicts there will be a legal battle over CRA reform.
How this Florida Startup Surmounted the Challenging De Novo Process
September 27, 2022 16:24 - 39 minutes - 31 MBCorey LeBlanc, cofounder, chief operating officer and chief technology officer of Locality Bank in Florida, talks about how he and his partners got through the notoriously difficult regulatory process to charter a de novo institution. Why did they succeed where so many others have not? He also talks about what Locality Bank is doing differently than other institutions, including its approach to fintech partnerships.
Klarna’s Policy Chief on CFPB Regulation, BNPL’s Future
September 21, 2022 10:00 - 41 minutes - 30.4 MBAlex Marsh, head of global policy at Klarna, talks about the company’s response to the CFPB report last week that called for buy-now, pay-later firms to be regulated and examined like credit cards. He also discusses the growth of the sector, including the recent drop in valuations for BNPL firms, and where he sees it going next.
How Treasury’s Massive Capital Infusion to CDFIs Is Transforming Them
September 13, 2022 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBDarrin Williams, the CEO of Southern Bancorp. in Arkansas, talks about how a huge capital infusion from the Treasury Department’s Emergency Capital Investment Program is changing his bank and how similar infusions are impacting fellow community development financial institutions.
How Big Banks, Policymakers Are Grappling with Climate Change
July 26, 2022 10:00 - 31 minutes - 20.2 MBLauren Anderson, senior vice president at the Bank Policy Institute, discusses the various approaches regulators are taking, both internationally and in the U.S., to banks and climate change—and how institutions are responding. That includes blowback to the SEC’s proposed climate disclosure standards and new climate guidelines from the FDIC and OCC.
Thomas Unbound: Former ICBA Policy Chief on Small Banks’ Biggest Threats
July 19, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutes - 22.9 MBKaren Thomas, the former senior executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks about how the political influence of community banks has changed in the past two decades—and the biggest policy challenges facing them now. Those include closing the ILC loophole, CBDCs, and more.
Why Crypto Can’t Solve Financial Inclusion, But Banks Can
July 12, 2022 10:00 - 27 minutes - 18.1 MBRamon Looby, the head of the Maryland Bankers Association, talks about financial education, financial inclusion and how crypto impacts both. He also tackles the need for a cannabis banking bill and what it’s like to be the first black leader of a state banking trade group.
How This Texas Bank is Responding to the Industry’s Toughest Challenges
June 28, 2022 10:00 - 40 minutes - 25.4 MBBrad Tidwell, CEO and President of VeraBank in Texas, talks about how he is handling some of the biggest issues facing his institution and the industry, including his response to Fed interest rate hikes, how the bank finds new customers, and the struggle for talent acquisition. He also reveals the prize possession in his classic rock memorabilia collection.
Hunt Unfiltered: CBA Chief on Policy Fights Past and Future
June 21, 2022 09:00 - 44 minutes - 38 MBThe always quotable Richard Hunt, who is the departing president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, sits down to reflect on his tenure, including his biggest regret and what it was like to manage a large-bank trade group during the financial crisis and the pandemic. He also looks forward, discussing his views on CRA reform, student lending, CBDCs and more. Bonus: Richard goes through a “lightning round,” where he must give his reactions to a range of topics in under 30 seconds.
Why this Digital Banking Pioneer Cut Overdraft Fees and Raised Wages
June 14, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutes - 22.7 MBNicole Lorch, president and chief operating officer of First Internet Bank, talks about how the bank has altered its approach from its start as the first state-chartered, FDIC-insured institution to operate entirely online. She also discusses its recent decision to eliminate overdraft fees, raise its minimum wage, and why its recent acquisition of First Century Bank was called off.
Jill Castilla on Bank Innovation, Fighting Complacency and the Battle for Relevance
June 07, 2022 10:00 - 39 minutes - 32.5 MBJill Castilla, the president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond in Oklahoma, talks about the different ways her $354 million-asset bank has expanded its reach and stays relevant, including launching a new niche lending platform designed to help veterans get mortgages. She also discusses staffing challenges, why her bank launched a music festival and the biggest issues facing the industry.
BWI Replay: John Ryan on the Future of State Banking Supervision
May 31, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutes - 20.7 MBJohn Ryan, the president and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors who unexpectedly passed away in May at the age of 58, talked last year about state bank regulators’ efforts to retire the siloed state-by-state system of financial services oversight. He, along with Charlie Clark, the director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, talked about the CSBS’ “Networked Supervision” plan.
With the Fed Hiking Rates, How Fast Must Banks Move?
May 24, 2022 10:00 - 37 minutes - 23.9 MBNeil Stanley, founder and CEO of The CorePoint, talks about how banks should be thinking about their deposit rate strategy as the Fed raises interest rates and customers begin seeking higher returns for their savings. How quickly should banks be raising their own rates—and what alternatives should they be pursuing?
Former FHFA Chief: The Next Collapse of Fannie, Freddie “May Well Be an Inevitability”
May 17, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBFormer Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria says the housing industry is poised for another meltdown, citing high delinquency rates, low supply and loosening credit standards. In an expansive and candid interview, the former GSE regulator predicts Fannie and Freddie will likely fail again despite his best efforts. He details what went wrong and why, and offers an inside take on the GSEs' relationship with their regulator.
Should credit unions be stopped from buying banks?
May 10, 2022 10:00 - 29 minutes - 19.9 MBLauren Seay, reporter for S&P Global Market Intelligence, talks about how the controversy began over credit unions buying banks, efforts by several states to block such deals, and where the debate is going next.
Quarles on Inflation, Politics at the Fed and CBDCs
May 03, 2022 09:00 - 51 minutes - 30.5 MBRandal Quarles, former Fed vice chair for banking supervision, talks about how quickly the central bank will tackle inflation, whether the Fed is at risk of becoming too political, and what it was like to help prevent another financial crisis while a pandemic raged. He also talks about his strong views on central bank digital currencies and gives an inside look at whether the Fed really wants to create one.
The Community Bank Living on the Tech Edge
April 26, 2022 10:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBSteven Schnall, founder and CEO of $900 million-asset Quontic Bank in New York, talks about why the bank is one of the few to fully embrace cryptocurrency, offering a checking account that grants rewards in bitcoin. He also talks about its newly deployed banking wearable device, plans for the metaverse, and why this CDFI wants to continue to push the banking envelope.
Banks Are Awash in Liquidity, But How Long Will It Stay That Way?
April 12, 2022 10:00 - 45 minutes - 34 MBBanks saw record inflows of deposits during the pandemic. But just how sticky are those customers—and deposits—going to be? Scott Hildenbrand, chief balance sheet strategist and head of financial strategies group for Piper Sandler, talks about the common fears bankers are facing right now when it comes to funding and liquidity—and what they need to be doing now to prepare for the uncertain road ahead.
Ballentine Unplugged: ABA's Chief Lobbyist on Banking Policy Fights Ahead
April 05, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutes - 22.2 MBJames Ballentine, who is set to retire soon after more than 20 years at the American Banker Association’s policy shop, talks about how and why Washington has changed when it comes to making bank legislation. He also previews the fights ahead for bankers on pot banking, the CFPB’s Section 1071 rules, stablecoins and more.
Behind the Scenes of Politico’s Morning Money
March 29, 2022 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBKate Davidson, the author of Politico’s Morning Money, talks about how she approaches writing one of the financial services industry's most influential newsletters. She also discusses why the Biden administration keeps struggling with its finreg nominations, how the Fed will tackle climate change, and what’s next for interest rates.
Bank CEO Launches Second Career Focused on Creative Thinking
March 22, 2022 10:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBBill Donius, the former CEO and chairman of Pulaski Financial Corp. in Missouri, talks about how he used research into the brain to help grow his St. Louis community bank and write a New York Times bestseller, “Thought Revolution: How to Unlock Your Inner Genius.” Bill discusses how he uses that research to help companies think outside the box when they approach challenges and opportunities—and how his fellow bankers can learn to do this too.
Sheila Bair on Systemic Risks and Partisan Regulation
March 15, 2022 09:00 - 50 minutes - 31.2 MBSheila Bair, the former chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., discusses her fears if financial regulation becomes too partisan, as well as tackling several hot-button topics including central bank digital currencies and CRA reform. She also discusses the risks of buy-now, pay-later services and why she writes children’s books aimed at improving kids’ financial literacy.
Powell, Sanctions, CFPB Rules & CBDCs: Parsing Washington’s Intense Week
March 08, 2022 11:00 - 37 minutes - 23.6 MBIsaac Boltansky, director of policy research at BTIG, offers his analysis on a busy week in D.C., including two days of testimony by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, President Biden’s State of the Union address and the economic impact of Russian sanctions. He also talks about whether the Fed will create a digital dollar and whether banks can soften two key pending rulemakings by the CFPB.
The Biggest Challenges Facing Banks Right Now
March 01, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutes - 21.3 MBOngoing economic uncertainty, continued consolidation in the banking industry, tougher regulatory oversight, an overwrought housing market and a potential Fed digital currency are just a few of the issues currently facing banks. Two top leaders at the New Jersey Bankers Association—John McWeeney, its president and CEO, and Mike Affuso, its EVP and director of government relations—assess the obstacles ahead.
PayPal’s Approach to Financial Inclusion, Bank Partnerships
February 22, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes - 23.9 MBFabrice Coles, senior manager for global public policy at PayPal, talks about how PayPal thinks about financial inclusion, its strategy for partnering with banks and how the pandemic has changed financial services.
“It’s a Big Deal for Banks:” The Debate Over a Fed CBDC Is Heating Up
February 15, 2022 11:00 - 39 minutes - 25.2 MBJames Reuter, President and CEO of $26.7 billion-asset FirstBank in Lakewood, Co., returns to the show to analyze the Fed’s recent 40-page white paper on the creation of a central bank digital currency. What kind of CBDC does the Fed want to create—and how would that impact banks?
Inside the CFPB’s Crackdown on “Junk” Fees
February 08, 2022 11:00 - 31 minutes - 19.4 MBThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently opened a request for comment on “junk” financial services fees. But what does the agency consider junk fees—and what does it plan to do about them? American Banker’s Kate Berry walks through the CFPB’s agenda and what it means for bankers of all sizes.
Going There: A Conversation with Katie Couric
February 01, 2022 11:00 - 58 minutes - 35.3 MBKatie Couric, the legendary news anchor and head of Katie Couric Media, sits down with IntraFi Network’s Barb Rehm to talk about her new memoir, Going There. She discusses why she founded her own media company, her past work co-anchoring the Today show, her rocky transition to co-host of CBS Evening News, the Me Too movement and much more.
Why Congress Doesn’t Need to Rush to Legislate Crypto
January 25, 2022 11:00 - 38 minutes - 24.9 MBTodd Phillips, the director of financial regulatory and corporate governance at the Center for American Progress, talks about the dangers of legislating new rules for digital assets when existing regulatory powers may be sufficient. He also discusses the rise of NFTs and why banks should be wary.
What the Heck Happened at the FDIC?
January 18, 2022 10:00 - 55 minutes - 36.3 MBFDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams unexpectedly announced recently that she is stepping down Feb. 4. What’s behind this decision—and what does it mean for the independence of the FDIC and other banking regulators? Politico’s Victoria Guida and American Banker’s Brendan Pedersen explore the many facets of the FDIC’s leadership battle.
How to Attract—and Keep—Bank Talent: ABA’s Jim Edwards
January 11, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutes - 30.2 MBJim Edwards, the CEO of $2.1 billion-asset United Bank and immediate former past chairman of the ABA, talks about his bank’s unique approach to finding and fostering the next generation of banking talent. He also discusses several policy challenges facing the industry, including overdraft fees and more stringent regulation.
The Economy Isn’t As Bad As You Think: Zandi’s 2022 Outlook
December 14, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes - 27.7 MBWhile much of the economic data is relatively strong, consumers remain pessimistic about the economy, with fears about inflation rapidly rising. Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, goes through the latest data to answer critical questions about the economy headed into the New Year. How worried should we be about inflation? What will the Fed do next? Will the omicron variant cripple the economy just as it seems about to recover?
Turning Concern About Community Banking’s Future into Concrete Action
December 07, 2021 11:00 - 36 minutes - 24.5 MBThe Independent Bankers Association of Texas and FedFIS have launched a new professional social media site exclusively for community bankers in an attempt to foster collaboration and allow them to easily compare their tech services and experiences. Christopher Williston, the head of IBAT, discusses how the site started, where it’s going and how it can help small institutions.
A Better Way Forward for CBDCs, Stablecoins?
November 30, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 39.2 MBTim Massad, former chairman of the CFTC, tackles the challenges in designing a U.S. central bank digital currency, including how not to disintermediate banks—and why policymakers need to accelerate their discussions. He also offers his take on recommendations for stablecoin supervision, and where regulators may have gotten it wrong in their recent report on the subject.
ICBA’s Fisher: A Fifth-Gen Banker Tackles Policy Challenges Facing Community Banks
November 16, 2021 11:00 - 41 minutes - 26.4 MBRobert Fisher, the CEO of $500 million-asset Tioga State Bank and chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America, talks about the top concerns facing bankers right now, including staffing shortages and tech upgrades. He also discusses the controversial nomination of a new comptroller of the currency, how ICBA wants to address credit unions buying banks, and much more.