Starting a Bank in the Age of AI

We’re at a wake-up moment. In ten years, banking has changed more than it did in the century before. 

So, Al and Steve pose a question: If you created a bank from scratch in 2026, how would you build it? Their answer: cleaner data models, AI agents embedded from day one and a workforce already fluent in the tools. 

Plus, Al and Steve highlight what established banks can embrace right now to stay competitive at a time of turbulent change. 

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Chapters
[00:00] Intro: Building a Bank From Scratch
[02:00] AI Is Changing Everything
[03:30] If We Started a Bank Today…
[05:30] Data as the Foundation
[07:00] The “Tiger Team” Approach
[09:20] Tech vs Banks: Who’s Learning Faster?
[11:30] Why Small, Fast Teams Win
[13:00] AI Experiments & Real-World Examples
[14:30] Rethinking Bank Performance Metrics
[16:00] Service as Software
[17:30] AI, Stablecoins & Cost of Funds
[19:30] Advice for Existing Banks
[21:30] The Future Bank Leadership Team
[23:00] Why Curiosity Matters Now
[24:30] Final Thoughts: Adapting to What’s Next