Fintech is moving fast, but this conversation makes one thing clear: the future will not be won by technology alone.

Sam Kilmer and Kelli Schultz are joined by three founders -- Mike Duncan of Bankjoy, Nima Ghamsari of Blend, and Paul Danola of Bridgeport Partners — for a lively, unscripted look at the next chapter of financial services. AI is the headline, but the real story is bigger…what happens when critical data, smarter digital experiences, trusted relationships, and old-fashioned curiosity all collide.

From community banks and credit unions and private equity firms to core systems, fraud prevention, lending, and the changing role of the branch, the group explores where fintech is getting more fluid, where it still feels too fragmented, and why staying open may be the most important leadership trait of all.

Guests include:

• Paul Danola - Founding Partner, Bridgeport Partners
• Nima Ghamsari - Founder and Head of Blend
• Mike Duncan - CEO & Co-Founder of Bankjoy
• Kelli Schultz (Co-Host) - Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Chapters
[0:00] Welcome to Fintech Hustle
[0:32] Meet the co-host and guests
[2:47] Mike Duncan on the mission behind Bankjoy
[4:20] How Bankjoy keeps teams aligned around OKRs
[5:50] Getting back in front of clients and partners
[7:47] Paul Danola on life after FIS and building Bridgeport Partners
[10:38] Why investing still comes down to clients and employees
[11:10] Relationships, trust and curiosity in fintech
[14:55] Nima Ghamsari on Blend, AI transformation and building again
[18:15] What’s making fintech leaders optimistic right now
[20:36] AI as both opportunity and competitive threat for community FIs
[24:09] The next chapter of customer engagement
[28:05] Kelli Schultz on the integration problem across fintech stacks
[34:26] AI agents as the future users of banking software
[37:15] What the future digital banking interface could look like
[40:56] Hyper-personalized financial guidance in real time
[43:38] Using data and AI for real-time fraud prevention
[45:50] Final thoughts and wrap-up

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Live from the AFT Spring Summit, Sam Kilmer (Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors) is joined by fintech leaders to discuss what’s really happening in banking and financial services right now.

Guests include:

Laura Kornhauser (CEO & Co-Founder, Stratyfy)

David Eads (CEO & Co-Founder, Vine Financial)

Kirsten Longnecker (Executive Vice President, York Public Relations)

Tim Hamilton (Founder & CEO, Praxent)

This unscripted “in the hall” conversation covers:

• The real impact of AI in banking (beyond the hype)
• Why trust between fintechs and banks is critical
• Core system challenges still holding banks back
• The future of software development with generative AI
• Risks of AI hallucinations and regulatory implications
• Why entry-level talent may drive the next wave of innovation
• What’s working — and what’s still broken — in fintech

From customer-centricity to infrastructure challenges, this discussion captures the current state of fintech innovation and where the industry is heading next.

Click to watch more Fintech Hustle!

🔗 https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-kornhauser/

Connect with David on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenlongnecker/

Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenlongnecker/

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/timham/

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Recorded live from GAC, Sam Kilmer (Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors and host of Fintech Hustle) sits down with a powerhouse panel of credit union and fintech leaders for an unscripted hallway conversation.

Joining the discussion:

• Brandi Gregory (Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors)
• Ned Tobey (CEO, Circuit)
• JB Orecchia (CEO, SavvyMoney)
• Nicole Haverly (VP Credit Unions, nCino)
• Rob Landis (CEO, Correlation)

Topics include AI, member primacy, financial wellness, fraud risks, speed of innovation, and what credit unions must rethink in 2026.

Click to watch more Fintech Hustle!

🔗 https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/

Watch the Video Episodes on Youtube!

🔗https://youtu.be/LQOMuzfwl84

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g