Recorded at the AFT Fall Summit 2026 in San Diego, Sam Kilmer sits down with Jill Feiler, Brian Bodell, and Joe Gomez for a conversation about where banking and fintech are headed and what community financial institutions need to do to keep pace.

The group talks about why community banks and credit unions may be better positioned to innovate than many people think, why moving faster matters, and how fintech partnerships can help institutions compete. They also discuss the importance of strong client relationships, staying focused instead of chasing every new technology, and turning innovation into real value for customers and members.

The conversation also explores AI and the guardrails financial institutions need around it, fraud and identity verification, tokenized deposits, stablecoins, consolidation across the industry, and the growing competition facing community financial institutions. Through it all, one theme keeps coming back: technology is changing quickly, but relationships, trust, and understanding the people you serve still matter.

Guests

Jill Feiler — CEO, ZSuite Tech

Brian Bodell — CEO, Movemint

Joe Gomez — President & CEO, PhoenixWorx

Hosted by

Sam Kilmer

Subscribe to Fintech Hustle for more unscripted conversations with leaders across banking and fintech.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction from the AFT Fall Summit
01:30 – Jill Feiler on Leading ZSuite Tech
04:24 – Brian Bodell's Fintech Journey
07:51 – Joe Gomez and the Launch of PhoenixWorx
12:24 – Key Takeaways from the AFT Fall Summit
13:39 – Banking Consolidation and Client Relationships
15:04 – Why Community Banks Must Move Faster
16:06 – Innovation That Delivers Real Value
18:26 – What's Broken in Banking and Fintech?
20:07 – AI Adoption, Regulation and Risk
21:56 – AI Isn't Magic, but It Is Powerful
24:36 – Tokenization, Stablecoins and Industry Optimism
26:40 – Why Financial Institutions Need Trusted Guidance

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

Recorded at FinovateFall 2026 in New York City, Sam Kilmer sits down with Mitch Rutledge, Shanthi Shanmugam, and Chris Sibila for a wide-ranging conversation about what’s happening across banking and fintech right now.

The group talks about how AI is becoming embedded across financial services, where banks and credit unions are still experiencing friction, why partnerships matter, and how technology can help institutions better serve customers and members.

They also dig into what leaders are seeing at FinovateFall, where innovation is gaining traction, what still needs to be fixed, and why this moment feels especially important for financial institutions trying to adapt quickly without losing sight of the people they serve.

Guests

Mitch Rutledge — CEO & Co-Founder, Vertice AI

Shanthi Shanmugam — CEO & Co-Founder, Casap

Chris Sibila — Chief Strategy & Experience Officer, Purdue Federal Credit Union

Hosted by

Sam Kilmer

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

Chapters
[00:00] – Meet the Fintech Leaders
[06:52] – What’s Standing Out at FinovateFall
[08:23] – AI Beyond Efficiency
[11:16] – What’s Still Broken in Banking and Fintech
[12:38] – Where Banks and Credit Unions Feel the Most Friction
[15:58] – Using AI to Train Employees in Real Time
[16:32] – Sharing AI Innovation Across Credit Unions
[17:51] – What’s Working Right Now
[18:09] – Why This Moment in Fintech Feels Different
[19:47] – Change, Curiosity, and the Future of Community Banking
[21:29] – Closing Thoughts

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

AI may be reshaping financial services, but turning new technology into real progress takes more than speed.

Sam Kilmer and co-host Kelli Schultz are joined by Melissa Cullen of FIS, Andres Klaric of Fuse Finance, and Tom Davis of Canapi Ventures for an unscripted conversation about what it really takes to move AI from experimentation into everyday banking.

From agentic customer service and faster product development to regulatory responsibility, customer adoption, data protection, and the growing importance of fintech partnerships, the group explores where AI is already creating real value and where financial institutions still need to move carefully.

The conversation also digs into why distribution alone is not enough, how poor implementation can quickly erode trust, and why the strongest fintech companies will be the ones willing to stand behind outcomes, support their customers, and build experiences people actually want to use.

Guests Include:

• Melissa Cullen - President of Regional & Community Banking and PayTech Women Board Member, FIS
• Andres Klaric - Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Fuse Finance
• Tom Davis - General Partner, Canapi Ventures
• Kelli Schultz (Co-Host) - Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors

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

Chapters:
[00:00] – Meet the Fintech Leaders
[02:01] – Melissa Cullen’s Day in the Life at FIS
[06:43] – Building and Scaling Fuse Finance
[10:19] – Why Listening Matters More Than Ever
[12:06] – Inside the Fintech Investor’s Day
[15:12] – Separating AI Signal from the Hype
[18:03] – Faster Sales Cycles and Outcome-Based AI
[20:48] – Moving AI Beyond Experimentation
[23:09] – Trust, Distribution, and Responsibility
[26:25] – Why AI Adoption Requires Customer Support
[27:41] – The Growing Fintech Partnership Ecosystem
[29:01] – When Agentic AI Creates a Bad Experience
[35:12] – Why Banks and Fintechs Need Each Other

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

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

Recorded at a location near AOBA 2026, this Fintech Hustle episode brings guests Aleda DeMaria (EVP & Chief Operating Officer, PeoplesBank), Mac Thompson (Founder & CEO, White Clay) & Christina Miller (VP, Alkami) for an unscripted hallway conversation on what’s changing right now.

Key topics include:

• Deposit retention after massive outflows and why “acquisition” is not the finish line
• AI everywhere, including fraud, and why banks must fight AI with AI
• Vendor consolidation and the reality of fragmented tech stacks
• Data strategy as a growth engine, not just a compliance tool
• Why the branch still matters and how to modernize the in-branch experience
• The talent challenge for community banks trying to innovate
• A clear warning: community banks should stop trying to build what mega-banks build, and focus on partnerships and execution

Let us know what theme you’re hearing most in your institution right now.

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/

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

Kicking off 2026 with a strategy-focused episode of Fintech Hustle. Sam Kilmer (Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors) and co-host Kelli Schultz (Principal, Cornerstone Advisors) are joined by Erica Pilon (Head of Strategy, Jack Henry) and Scott Hildenbrand (Chief Balance Sheet Strategist, Piper Sandler) to discuss what’s changing in banking and fintech, and what winners will do differently.

Topics include: vendor strategy and fintech partnerships, stablecoin and payments, customer-first balance sheet thinking, redefining “community,” why bank valuations aren’t reflecting performance, and the missed marketing opportunities banks keep repeating.

What’s your top strategic priority for 2026?

00:00 Intro + 2026 kickoff
01:00 Erica Pilon intro + strategy shifts
05:00 Jack Henry priorities, fintech alliances, ecosystem
09:30 Scott Hildenbrand: ALCO, balance sheet, M&A
12:00 Deposit chaos and customer-first ALCO
14:00 Redefining “community” and loyalty vs trust
17:30 What’s “broken”: integration + standards
24:00 What’s “broken”: marketing and telling the story
29:45 What’s “jazzing” them: stablecoin + opportunity
32:30 Wrap

Click to watch more!
https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/

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