Community banks can’t afford to wait.
In this Travillian Next episode, Keith Daly, Principal, Banking & Fintech Search at Travillian, sits down with Allan Rayson, Founder of Finov8r and former Encore Bank CTO, to talk about what’s actually holding banks back from adopting AI.
Allan brings a clear, on-the-ground perspective of what’s happening inside bank C-suites right now and what’s missing. From core tech limitations to cultural resistance, this episode lays out the real stuff that determines whether a bank is just surviving or truly evolving.
Available now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, or keep scrolling for the episode summary below.
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(00:00) The AI Wake-Up Call
Allan kicks off with a blunt observation: banks are curious about AI, but most haven’t done a thing with it yet. He says fewer than 100 banks in the country are actually engaged in meaningful AI use case exploration. There’s a disconnect between curiosity and execution and the longer they delay, the harder it’ll be to catch up.
(04:07) Why Execution Is Harder Than Education
The challenge isn’t just about understanding AI, it’s about knowing what to do with it. Allan breaks down how quickly the buzzwords outpace the operational reality inside most banks. He explains the growing “interpretation gap” between what leadership thinks AI is and how it actually gets implemented, especially around compliance and lending.
(11:36) The Core Problem (Literally)
When it comes to AI adoption, Allan points to one big, overlooked blocker: the bank’s core. No matter how slick your AI solution is, if your core system is clunky or inflexible, you’ve already lost. He also calls out how few banks have modern core vendors or cloud architecture that allows for the kind of data access AI needs to thrive.
(17:01) Where AI Is Actually Gaining Ground
Allan outlines some of the real-world AI use cases banks are beginning to pursue. Think fraud detection, automation of loan processes, and customer onboarding. But again, execution is the barrier. Banks that succeed are the ones that find the right partners instead of trying to build
everything internally.
(22:28) The C-Suite Culture Gap
It’s not just the tech stack that needs an upgrade; it’s the leadership mindset. Allan makes a strong case that modernizing the bank starts with modernizing the C-suite. Too many banks are led by people who don’t fully understand the tech they’re being pitched. Without that shift in leadership perspective, real transformation stays stuck in PowerPoint decks.
(29:35) Start Small or Stay Stuck
Allan closes with a practical challenge: banks don’t need to go all in at once. They need to start walking around the block before trying to run a marathon. Translation? Pick one use case. Pilot it. Build muscle. Stop overthinking it and start building momentum.
Keith Daly specializes in executive search across Banking & Fintech, building relationships and connecting firms with top leadership talent. To learn more or get in touch, email him at kdaly@travilliangroup.com.
