Is Gen Z Financially Nihilistic or Just 25?
Is Gen Z Financially Nihilistic or Just 25?  
Podcast: Bank Nerd Corner
Published On: Thu Aug 06 2026
Description: Bank Nerd Corner welcomes Thea Garon, a financial well-being lead at the Urban Institute (https://www.urban.org), a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan research organization. The Urban Institute recently published survey research exploring how Generation Z — defined as adults between 18 and 30 — approaches money, risk and financial planning.  Kiah and Thea walk through what the data actually shows: some economic pessimism and anxiety, financial sophistication and awareness and, at the same time, some concerning behavior. The conversation also covers why young adults turn to friends, family and social media influencers for financial guidance before they turn to their banks — and what that trust gap costs financial institutions competing in an increasingly crowded attention economy.  And once you're done listening episode, be sure to check out some the latest Urban Institute Research reports that Kiah and Thea discuss Financial Nihilists or Savvy Strategists? Understanding Gen Z’s Financial Attitudes and Behaviors How Do People Use Crypto Alongside Other Investment Strategies and Financial Tools? How and Why Are People Betting on Sports? A Look at a Rapidly Growing Industry Fintech Takes Banking is the weekly newsletter for bank execs who get it. Subscribe for the latest in regulation, tech, financials, operations and, yes, accounting, straight to your inbox: ⁠https://fintechtakes.com/banking/newsletter-subscription/⁠ --- Follow Thea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thea-garon-a6164654/ Follow Kiah: LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaslett/⁠ X/Twitter:⁠ https://x.com/khaslett⁠