Banking with Interest
IntraFi
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 show is produced by Sam Navarro, senior principal writer at IntraFi. The podcast theme song was written and produced by Stellar Tracks. 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.
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 show is produced by Sam Navarro, senior principal writer at IntraFi. The podcast theme song was written and produced by Stellar Tracks. 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 20, 2025 • 44min
What the Hell is Going On? A Banker’s Guide to D.C.
Victoria Guida, an Economics correspondent at Politico, and Brendan Pedersen, a Financial services reporter at Punchbowl News, dive into the shifting landscape of banking regulation under the Trump administration. They discuss the fate of the CFPB and what it means for consumer protection. The conversation touches on the recent meeting of major bank CEOs with the Senate Banking Committee and the implications of potential changes in oversight roles among regulatory bodies. Plus, they delve into intriguing questions about federal payment security and the evolving role of data in the financial sector.
Feb 11, 2025 • 34min
Bank Supervision Needs “Complete Change in Focus”
Greg Baer, the CEO of the Bank Policy Institute, argues that bank supervision has gone off course, focusing on the wrong areas and making the system less safe. He outlines how he and big banks would recommend fixing it. He also discusses stress test and AML reform, new liquidity rules, Basel III, CFPB and more.
Feb 4, 2025 • 33min
Fmr. Sen. Toomey: Why Debanking Crypto Occurred—And How to Solve It
Former Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., one of the first lawmakers to sound alarms about the debanking of crypto firms , talks about President Trump’s accusation that large banks are systemically debanking conservatives, and what he thinks is really going on. That includes how policymakers could fix the issue permanently and why some proposed solutions might backfire.
Jan 29, 2025 • 38min
Rep. Waters on Dem’s Strategy, Stablecoins, Housing & More
Rep. Maxine Waters, the first woman and African-American to chair the House Financial Services Committee, discusses her long career in Congress and evolving financial policies. She highlights the importance of community banks and advocates for housing reform and stablecoin regulation. Waters reflects on post-election messaging and education in the Democratic party, critiques the influence of billionaires on policies, and emphasizes the need for accountable leadership. She also addresses the challenges faced by communities impacted by disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires.
Jan 22, 2025 • 34min
What Community Bankers Want from D.C.
Brad Bolton, the CEO of Community Spirit Bank in Red Bay, Ala., discusses the state of community banking right now, including what challenges he and other small institutions face and how they hope policymakers can help. He dives into concerns about new small business lending data requirements and other pending regulations, calls for bank consolidation, and what worries him most.
Jan 14, 2025 • 24min
The End of Independent Bank Regulation?
Michael Barr’s surprising decision to step down as Fed vice chair of banking supervision next month allows the incoming Trump administration to make its own pick for the job and raises questions about the political independence of the banking regulators going forward. Andrew Ackerman, senior financial reporter with The Washington Post, walks through the implications for banks and discusses Barr’s likely successor.
Jan 2, 2025 • 35min
OCC’s Hsu on Unfinished Business, Reg Restructuring & Dangers Ahead
Michael Hsu, the Acting Comptroller of the Currency for over three years, dives into the lessons from the Silicon Valley Bank collapse and the urgent need for new liquidity regulations. He discusses the complexities of regulatory restructuring, addressing the dangers of charter shopping and how it impacts banking stability. Hsu also shares insights on cryptocurrency's dual nature—balancing its speculative risks with its innovative potential—while advocating for a regulatory framework that ensures safety and accountability in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
6 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 37min
What’s the Future of the CFPB and FDIC Under Trump?
Evan Weinberger, a banking reporter at Bloomberg Law, dives into the Trump administration's controversial plans to potentially eliminate the FDIC or merge it with other agencies. He discusses ongoing conflicts at the CFPB and the implications of its recent regulatory changes, like the new overdraft rule. The conversation sheds light on the historical context of financial regulation, the challenges faced under a Republican Congress, and how these factors might reshape banking oversight in the future.
Dec 12, 2024 • 45min
Crypto’s Win, Stablecoins’ Future & Debanking Debate
Alex Johnson, the founder and publisher of Fintech Takes, tackles several hot-button topics, including how the crypto industry’s election victories will influence the next Trump administration, and why hype around stablecoins as a replacement for banks may be misplaced. He also discusses whether banks are really engaging in debanking as a prominent venture capitalist recently claimed.
Dec 5, 2024 • 29min
What Trump’s Treasury Pick Means for Banks, Fed and Wall Street
Sam Sutton, the primary author of Politico’s Morning Money newsletter, goes behind the scenes on why President-elect Trump chose Scott Bessent to lead the Treasury Department. Sutton discusses Bessent’s experience and agenda, how his views on tariffs and inflation will play out in the next administration, and how they portend a potential brewing conflict with the Federal Reserve.
