Turn your oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, oil, and sugars on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Lower the speed to medium and add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated before adding the next (about 30 seconds). Add the vanilla.
Continue to mix for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth.
With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients alternating with the buttermilk mixture into the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated and remove bowl from stand mixer.
Stir/whisk the mashed banana into the mixture.
Divide the batter evenly between the pans, pouring right on top of the Nilla Wafer Crust that has been baked, using a kitchen scale for the best accuracy. (For this recipe, you’ll have about 20 ounces of batter in each of the three 8-inch pans).
Carefully smooth the batter with small offset palette knife, and bake until a toothpick or skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs on it, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Let pans cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then invert cakes onto racks, gently, peeling away parchment rounds. Let cool completely.
When the cakes are completely cooled, you can wrap each layer in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for at least an hour before assembly.
The cake layers can be made up to a week or two in advance. If you plan to make it in advance, cover each cake layer with two layers of plastic wrap. When you’re ready to frost your cake, take the cake layers out of the freezer an hour before you decorate.