U.S. Bank’s Kedia: Banks Should ‘Lean Into’ Change

Adapting to a New Financial Era

At the Money20/20 conference in Las Vegas, U.S. Bank CEO Gunjan Kedia urged financial institutions to embrace the rapid changes reshaping banking—from stablecoins and cryptocurrency to digital innovation. Her message was simple yet bold: “If it creates value for clients, lean into it.” In a time of rising interest rates, evolving regulations, and shifting customer expectations, Kedia’s remarks highlight how banks must balance innovation with their traditional mission of serving communities.

Technology and Regulation Are Reshaping the System

According to Kedia, two forces are driving transformation in the banking sector: the re-evaluation of regulatory frameworks and the rise of new technologies. Digital currencies and stablecoins are at the forefront of this change, potentially redefining how money moves through the global financial system.
The recent Genius Act, which sets regulatory groundwork for stablecoin issuers, and the pending Clarity Act, which would provide a formal market structure for digital assets, represent significant steps in modernizing financial oversight. For banks, these shifts open the door to new lines of business—from digital banking to crypto custody services—while demanding stronger safeguards against fraud and systemic risk.

Customer Needs Across Generations

Kedia acknowledged that while some clients still rely on checks and traditional checking accounts, others expect instant digital banking experiences and flexible access to loans, deposits, and mortgages. This generational divide challenges banks to maintain stability while evolving.
U.S. Bank’s recent partnership to provide custody for Anchorage Digital Bank’s stablecoin reserves shows how legacy institutions can adapt responsibly. “It’s not whether this technology will stay, but how,” Kedia emphasized. By experimenting with stablecoin custody and other digital assets, banks can meet changing customer expectations while preserving trust and regulatory compliance.

Partnerships with Fintechs: Competition Meets Collaboration

At Money20/20, Kedia described the relationship between banks and fintechs as “frenemies.” Fintech startups often disrupt established models, yet their innovations push traditional banks to improve. She pointed to Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment network owned by seven major U.S. banks, as a direct response to fintech platforms like Venmo and Cash App.
By blending competition with collaboration, banks can refine their offerings and remain competitive in a fast-changing credit and payments landscape.

Looking Ahead: Embracing Change with Confidence

Kedia’s message carries a clear professional insight: banks that embrace disruption will lead the future. As interest rates stabilize and digital banking expands, lenders must remain adaptable, tech-savvy, and customer-centric. “Don’t fear change,” she said, “relish it—because it’s in times of disruption that winners are created.”

Closing Insight:
The future of banking will favor institutions that merge trust with innovation. Whether through smarter credit systems, transparent digital assets, or stronger customer engagement, those that “lean into change” will set the pace for the next generation of financial growth.

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