Since each of us is contributing to essentially bank rolling many of our biggest banks, it's pretty important that we pay attention to what's being said at the Congressional hearings today by the nation's top finance executives.

They are being questioned over bailout spending in appearance before a House panel.  What I've heard so far, is a lot of defensiveness and not a lot of creativity about where the opportunities are for the banks, and how they are going to earn them.  Without innovation in the banking system, a wilingness to change, and a drive to create new opportunities, we are looking at a stagnant industry. 

My suggestion is that the banks start looking outside of themselves for ideas from some of today's top business thinkers, such as Clayton Christensen.  He spoke to Big Think last week and gave direct advice to the heads of the big banks about where to seek opportunity.  Were I a top finance executive, I'd pay attention.