The Banker Next Door

Hosted by Dr. Joseph Bergquist

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Episodes

400

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

BND is focused on the U.S. Banking industry and how the industry intersects with finance, technology, and economics. Topics discussed can include all types of banking products and lines of business along with strategy, marketing, management, and leadership.

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 79517 min

Oldest bank in the world, Monte Dei Paschi, to get bought?

Italian bank Monte Dei Paschi (BMPS) has had quite the saga over the last 9 months. It all started back in September 2025, when BMPS initiated a hostile takeover of investment bank Mediobanca for $19B. BMPS CEO, Luigi Lovaglio, then presented a plan for delisting Mediobanca and expanding the bank into international markets. The departing board for the bank did not like this plan and decided to remove Luigi as CEO, revoke his powers and cancel his contract. Then, in a surprise move, the banks shareholders voted to reinstall Luigi as CEO and picked a new board and chairman. However, in another twist, two rival banks have both made offers to purchase BMPS. What will the oldest bank in the world do? This episode reviewed multiple articles in The Wall Street Journal and S&P Global (subscriptions required). P.S. BND was named to FeedSpot Podcasts Top 80 Best Banking Podcasts for 2026. A link to the list is included below. Link: 80 Best Banking Podcasts to Listen to in 2026

June 16, 2026Episode 79311 min

BND: Strategy Room Bonus - Data center problems

This video is a clip from BND: Strategy Room Live Stream on June 13, 2026. Data center development problems have emerged. As big tech companies continue to build up their piles of cash to fund data center development, the build-out is falling behind. Local communities are starting to question just how many real jobs these data centers will create? One of the main companies at the heart of the electric grid, PJM Interconnect, is struggling to keep up with demand and bring new energy generation online. What does this mean for America’s electric grid? This clip examined articles from The Business Journal, The Wall Street Journal, and Montco Today.

June 15, 2026Episode 79211 min

BND: Strategy Room Bonus - Elon's wealth is now beyond imagination!

This video is a clip from BND: Strategy Room Live Stream on June 13, 2026. Elon Musk has become the world’s first Trillionaire! At least on paper. With the IPO for SpaceX dropping this week we look at how much money Elon is worth. We examine a couple of articles from The Wall Street Journal that measure Elon’s wealth and consider just how large a trillion dollars is.

June 15, 2026Episode 79418 min

Bank News: Tricolor suit, Bank CEOs are old, deregulation, SARs, M&A, ICE, and more!

Bank News: FDIC outlines 5 potential changes that it is considering. Fed Governor Michael Barr is concerned about deregulation. FinCen is directing banks to report suspicious activity around customers immigration status following a recent EO. JPMorgan sees a longer timeline to Agentic AI usage by retail customers. Senator Warren blasts Goldman Sachs CEO for keeping disgraced legal council as and “advisor.” Oklahoma’s BancFirst to purchase SpiritBank. PNC and U.S. Bank CEOs dismissed concern around customer usage of AI. According to a recent study half of bank CEOs are over the age of 65. Citizens Bank losing deposits over ICE ties. Pagaya sues Klarna. President Trump named Brian Johnson as the new head of the CFPB. Judge dismisses suit against JPMorgan, Barclays, and Fifth Third around Tricolor Holdings fraud. The judge did not explain his reasoning. This episode examined multiple articles from Banking Dive. P.S. BND was named to FeedSpot Podcasts Top 80 Best Banking Podcasts for 2026. A link to the list is included below. Link: 80 Best Banking Podcasts to Listen to in 2026

June 15, 2026Episode 79124 min

BND: Strategy Room Bonus - AI price war has begun!

This video is a clip from BND: Strategy Room Live Stream on June 13, 2026. What are tokens? How do companies purchase AI usage through tokens? How are tokens valued from a dollar perspective? These are important questions to understand as the AI price wars have begun. Anthropic and OpenAI have both filed for an IPO, but will they make it? The government forced Anthropic to put the brakes on some of their new models. At the same time, OpenAI is slashing prices to compete against Anthropic and prevent companies from seeking cheaper alternatives. As the AI bill comes due, companies are experiencing major sticker shock! This clip examines articles from CNBC, The Business Journals, and The Wall Street Journal.

June 14, 2026Episode 79014 min

BND: Strategy Room Bonus - SpaceX IPO has liftoff!

This video is a clip from BND: Strategy Room Live Stream on June 13, 2026. The SpaceX IPO has taken flight delivering approximately $75 billion in fresh capital and a $2 trillion dollar valuation. This clip looks back at SpaceX’s beginnings in 2002 and the journey that brought them to today. Elon’s goal was to spark people’s imagination and get them invested in space again. He achieved that and so much more! This clip examined articles from CNBC and The Wall Street Journal.

June 14, 2026Episode 7892 hr 26 min

BND: Strategy Room 6-13-2026

The Banker Next Door (BND) weekly live stream show. Strategy Room provides financial news, commentary, top stories in the business world, economic indicators, and all things banking for the week.

June 12, 2026Episode 78819 min

Review of FDIC OIG report on Metropolitan Capital Bank's failure

Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust (MCB) failed in January 2026. I covered the failure in a previous episode, but this episode covers the FDIC Office of Inspector General (OIG) report that reviews what they believe caused the failure. The ongoing problems at MCB have been documented. The OIG report concluded that bad loans from poor internal oversight, governance, and risk management led to critically deficient capital levels and thus bank failure. The FDIC identified suspicious activity associated with bank insiders confirming their misuse of position and the self-dealing of senior bank officials, and yet none of the individuals involved will be prosecuted? Unfortunately, this report leaves us with more questions than answers. This episode reviewed the FDIC OIG failed bank review for Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, Chicago, Il and an article from S&P Global (subscription required) titled ‘high-risk lending’ led to Metropolitan Capital Bank’s failure – OIG review.’ A link to the FDIC OIG report is included below. Link: Failed Bank Review – Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, Chicago, IL

June 11, 2026Episode 78717 min

Is Private Equity destroying our economy?

Is the Private Equity industry destroying our economy and thus capitalism? This is a very deep question that cuts to the very heart of what is ailing our economic system. Small business owners don’t want to grow their companies anymore; they just want to sell. There is no thought of building for the next generation, there is only the unicorn status, possible IPO, and then the sale. Private Equity is built on debt financing that promotes short-termism and financialization. This episode seeks to consider how and why this happened? What does it mean for our economy? What does the future look like if things don’t change? This episode reviewed an article from The Epoch Times (subscription required) titled “Has Private Equity ruined capitalism?”

June 10, 2026Episode 78617 min

Wall Street fallout from short seller's conviction for securities fraud!

Prominent Wall Street short seller Andrew Left was convicted of securities fraud on June 1st. Prosecutors alleged that Mr. Left used his TV appearances and website, Citron Research, to make certain assumptions about various stocks and then match these comments to his own trading positions. The problem is, he would use these tactics to pump up the stocks, while at the same time placing trades in the opposite direction. The big question here is what does this ultimately mean for Wall Street and other prominent short sellers that may engage in similar behavior? This episode reviewed an article from The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) titled “A short seller’s fraud conviction is spooking Wall Street” and an article from The Epoch Times (subscription required) titled “Short seller Andrew Left found guilty of securities fraud.”