They’re back. Al and Steve kick off the year by discussing the biggest forces shaping banking right now, including something particularly challenging: growth.

From how banks are allocating capital to how leaders ought to measure results, they unpack what’s working, what isn’t, and preview themes from Ron Shevlin’s upcoming 2026 What’s Going On In Banking report.

Subscribe to the Plugged In podcast here:
https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/plugged-in


Chapters:
[00:00] Welcome to 2026 & “I’m Still Standing”
[01:15] Why Bank Size Doesn’t Equal Ambition
[02:30] Growth Is Harder Than It Looks
[03:35] “Grow or Go” Is Too Simple
[04:40] Capital Allocation is more important than Asset Growth
[06:05] Discipline Beats Scale
[07:40] Making Technology Pay for Itself
[09:45] When to Kill a Tech Investment
[11:05] “Running Up That Hill” & Tech Roadmaps
[15:55] What Banks Must Get Right Next

What inspires a seasoned bank CEO to come out of retirement? As Jim Reuter, CEO and president of First Interstate Bank, tells Al and Steve on the show: “There’s a saying . …that musicians don’t retire until there’s no music left in them. There was still some music left in me.”

They discuss his career, succession best practices and some of the biggest forces reshaping regional banking. Plus, they offer up their 2026 predictions.

Subscribe to the Plugged In podcast here:
https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/plugged-in

Chapters:
[00:00] Jim Rueter Returns to Plugged In
[01:00] From FirstBank to First Interstate
[02:10] Vinyl Vault & Music Themes
[03:00] Why Jim Came Out of Retirement
[05:00] Leadership Lessons & Succession
[06:40] Growth Barriers & Competition
[08:20] Brand Density and Digital Strategy
[11:30] Deposit Displacement Reality Check
[16:00] The Scale Debate in Banking
[19:15] The ROI of Technology
[23:50] 2026 Banking Predictions
[26:40] Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Regional banks don’t often get compared to pop music, but maybe they should.

On the show today, First Financial Bank President and CEO Archie Brown explains why great banks survive turbulence by evolving with the times, just like great pop artists. He talks with Al and Steve about what credit risk actually looks like today and how midsize banks can hold their own against the industry’s giants. Plus, they explore the value of only focusing on what you can control. As Archie puts it: “There’s nothing else you can do.”

Subscribe to the Plugged In podcast here:
https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/plugged-in

Chapters:
[00:00] Intro – Welcoming Archie Brown
[00:54] Optimism, Adversity & “Better Days”
[02:00] Why High-Performing Banks Don’t Get Respect
[04:45] Credit Risk: The Market Gets It Wrong
[08:22] Competing With the Big Banks: Talent & Tech
[11:29] Tech Investment & AI: Moving Faster Than Goliath
[14:06] Knowing When to Double Down vs. Walk Away
[17:17] Pop Music, Banking & Evolving Without Losing Identity
[20:36] Leadership in a Digital-First World
[23:42] Closing Thoughts & What’s Next