The news: JPMorgan is reportedly considering offering loans directly backed by clients' Bitcoin and other crypto assets, per Bitcoin Magazine. This would be a first for the big bank, moving beyond accepting only Bitcoin exchange-traded funds as collateral. Our take: As regulations around crypto continue to ease, more financial institutions (FIs) will explore incorporating digital currencies into their offerings. While crypto may not be the best path for all FIs, JPMorgan's move to consider Bitcoin-backed lending signifies a critical inflection point in traditional finance. Banks have seen crypto firms encroach on their territory as they seek banking charters. But an expansion of crypto offerings by traditional banks would allow them to strike back with more-comprehensive lending products their competitors may not yet be able to offer.

The news: We’ve recently covered a fintech, a stablecoin issuer, an auto manufacturer, foreign banks, and credit unions that are considering, applying for, or in the process of acquiring US banking licenses. Some have already succeeded, inspiring others to follow suit. And according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, banking charter applications have increased 70% since 2024. Our take: We predict traditional banks will push for regulatory changes that prevent the steady inflow of new banks that haven’t had to follow the more stringent requirements of the past. Banks’ long-standing customer relationships will be a central pillar of their defense strategy. Banks must increasingly leverage their established trust, extensive branch networks, and comprehensive product suites to highlight their stability and one-stop-shop convenience compared to specialized fintechs or more limited new entrants.

The news: Consumers in Canada under 40 switched financial institutions at twice the rate of older consumers over the past four years, per a J.D. Power survey. Meanwhile, the number who use digital-only banks jumped from 11% to 21% between 2022 and 2025, according to a study by Oliver Wyman LLC. Our take: We have covered how more than half of consumers in Canada would leave their current bank over poor experiences. All of these findings together show that no bank is safe in assuming customers will stay with them if they aren’t getting the best experience, the lowest fees, the best rates, etc. To stem this outflow and retain younger generations, Canada's Big Six banks must invest in competitive, digitally forward offerings that eliminate punitive fees, provide better rates, and deliver personalized financial guidance beyond traditional services.

The strategy: We’ve covered how smaller financial institutions (FIs) sometimes lose sight of differentiators in marketing campaigns when they focus on being “just as good” as bigger competitors. And The Financial Brand recently highlighted a similar trend of community banks straying from focusing on their community-centric strengths in marketing campaigns. So, what? It is important for smaller FIs to prioritize and improve their digital experiences. But for the time-being, they likely won’t beat bigger FIs and fintechs at their digital game. Instead, according to The Financial Brand, the true strength of community banking is its people. FIs should involve their staff in the customer journey, prioritizing quick human follow-up on leads over marginally improving online forms. This people-first approach fosters deeper relationships. In practice, it involves building experiences—both digital and in-person—that keep customers connected to team members who know them personally.

The news: Over 78% of internet users globally use at least one fintech service monthly, with user penetration expected to surpass 80% by the end of the year, per Coinlaw data. Our take: Traditional financial institutions (FIs) must act now to stay competitive against fintechs’ continued popularity, particularly with younger generations. We’re already seeing fintech checking account openings outpacing those at traditional FIs. The threat will rise further as digital-only competitors start looking increasingly like banks in the products and services they offer and licenses they acquire. Customer-centric journeys are the key to traditional FIs staying relevant.

The news: Klarna is pivoting toward digital banking in the US, preparing for its IPO amid growing scrutiny of the buy now, pay later (BNPL) market. This includes launching US debit cards and expanded savings offerings, with Klarna rebranding itself as a neobank aiming for a "super app" experience. Our take: This signals a broader trend of fintechs evolving into banks, intensifying pressure on traditional financial institutions (FIs) to differentiate. FIs must clarify their niche, pursue strategic scale, and accelerate digital transformation. Despite Klarna's expansion, FIs retain a key advantage: their card-based installment plans still outperform BNPL in customer satisfaction.

The news: In a bold power play, Google dropped Android 16 just one day after Apple unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC, a divergence from its usual September release. The timing steals some of Apple’s spotlight, escalating the tech rivalry while injecting new energy into the smartphone wars. Key takeaway: Google’s fast-tracked and AI-infused Android 16 update signal a shift in mobile strategy aimed at overtaking the iPhone. Developers and advertisers should prioritize Pixel-first app experiences, optimize for desktop-like multitasking on mobile, and reimagine engagement for an OS that’s more utility driven. A Pixel-first rollout for Android 16 indicates Google is pushing its own hardware platform, making Pixels more attractive to consumers who want the latest features first.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how Google embedding an AI chatbot into search changes things, why Anthropic’s Claude API could reshape search, and why tech companies might not be the winners of the AI search war. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analyst’s Gadjo Sevilla and Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

But fintechs are leading the way, using superior bill-pay offerings as differentiators.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of May. Each month, our analysts Arielle Feger, Becky Schilling, and Sara Lebow (aka The Committee) put together a very unofficial list of the top eight retailers they're watching based on which are making the most interesting moves: Who's launching new initiatives? Which partnerships are moving the needle? Which standout marketing campaigns are being created? In this month's episode, Committee members Analysts Arielle Feger and Sara Lebow will defend their list against Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.

As OpenAI downshifts profit goals, Microsoft may trade revenues for long-term access, reshaping one of AI’s most powerful partnerships.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how tariffs will impact private labels, if private label still a synonym for “affordable”, and some unofficial awards for the 5 most interesting private label players. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Principal Analyst Sky Canaves and Analyst Arielle Feger.

A second federal judge has ruled that Google is a monopolist. This decision could have profound implications—depending on the remedies.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how the judge thinks Google is, and isn’t, an illegal monopoly, the most likely outcomes from this ruling, and who stands to benefit the most. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman, and Senior Analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

Its next-gen models are built to generate big ideas, not small talk—aiming squarely at science and high-value enterprise work.

We list the key takeaways from EY’s survey of Gen Zers.