Few minutes ago I had a meeting to explain the blockchain to some middle management of the company that I work for. They wanted to understand what the company can offer to a NY bank because the bank has a budget item to invest "in blockchain", whatever that means.
Not so long time ago there were news that IBM will cooperate with Federal Reserve Bank to investigate and develop their own version of blockchain. I think this is just aftermath of this news, now every bank will want to study and develop something similar. Just because if IMB and FRB has it then everyone else think it will be future of Financial System.