Building the Future of Operations: Key Takeaways from SIFMA Ops 2026

In this episode of The SIFMA Podcast, host Steve Byron is joined by Shawn Quant, Chief Information & Operations Officer at Piper Sandler and Chair of SIFMA’s Operations & Technology Board Subcommittee, and Deb Guarino, Managing Director at BNY Pershing and Chair of the SIFMA Operations & Technology Committee. Recorded following the 2026 SIFMA Operations Conference & Exhibition, the conversation explores the technological, regulatory, and operational forces reshaping capital markets. Topics include the evolution of AI from experimentation to enterprise integration, the growing role of tokenization and digital assets, operational readiness for Treasury clearing and extended trading hours, cyber resilience, fraud prevention, talent development, and the changing role of operations professionals in modern financial markets. Drawing on insights from SIFMA Ops 2026, the discussion highlights how firms are preparing for a future defined by accelerated change, increased automation, evolving market infrastructure, and the need for industry-wide collaboration. Learn more about SIFMA’s Operations & Technology work at www.sifma.org/ops.