Breaking Banks Fintech

In This Episode Traditional banks just pocketed $268 billion in profit—even with loan growth stuck in first gear—while global fintech funding barely limped past $10 billion, thanks to a single blockbuster round. This week, Theo Lau and Greg Palmer join hosts JP Nicols, Brett King, and Jason Henrichs to untangle those contradictions and ask who's really carrying the baton in the race for the future of money. Brace yourself for a knife-fight over BaaS regulation, a land-rush toward instant payments, and an AI gold rush that could super-charge compliance… or automate you right out of a job (and maybe swipe your wallet on the way). Is a 3 % NIM so cushy that banks will never reinvent themselves? Are stablecoins the rails of autonomous finance—or just more crypto hype? Add in deep-fake demos, a no-holds-barred scorecard of today's leaders, learners, and laggards, and stark predictions of where they'll be tomorrow. Whether you're sprinting on a 150-year-old balance sheet or a Series A term sheet, the finish line is the same: deliver smarter, safer money experiences—before someone else does. And whatever you do, try not to low-key suck.

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks host Brett King is joined by Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation. As Political Leader of the City of London Corporation, Chris acts as a principal spokesperson and advocate for London as a global financial and professional services capital. In the segment, Brett and Chris discuss The impact to date of the Trump presidency on the UK financial services sector. Wider US-UK relations and the City's view of the prospect of a UK-US free trade deal especially in services and tech. How the UK is a global gateway for US companies to access capital and advice, and Ongoing work with the UK Government to create an investment hub (a concierge service) to make it easier to channel foreign investment into the UK economy, and ongoing conversations on regulatory reform Then, sister podcast, Finovate host Greg Palmer interviews Nick Evens, President and CEO of Curql. Nick shares his journey from working within credit unions to leading Curql, a strategic investment fund focused on credit union innovation. Curql invests in startups and fosters an ecosystem where over 130 credit unions collaborate and share resources, often co-investing in companies that serve both banks and credit unions. Born from a need to support credit unions in staying competitive with big banks by pooling resources to invest in transformative financial technology, Curql bridges a gap between fintech and credit unions, helping credit unions gain access to tech solutions they otherwise couldn't afford on their own. More on the topic at FinovateSpring.

In This Episode This week's episode of Breaking Banks features host Brett King in a one-on-one discussion with Dave Birch, speaker, author and internationally recognized thought leader in digital identity and digital money. Listen as they explore the future of AI-based payments, money, and the concepts surrounding Agentic AI. Their conversation delves into key areas such as: * KYA (Know-your-Agent, a counterpart to KYC - Know Your Customer)* How we'll tell if specific agents have the authority to make payments* The utility problem of money in a highly autonomous world This episode is the future of money, identity and payments all wrapped into one, featuring two of the most future-thinking people in the finance space today.

In This Episode Today, we bring you a special episode of Breaking Banks, live from the Alloy Labs Annual Member Meeting —a three-day event focused on critical discussions and deep strategy sessions for today's bank executives. While we can't disclose what was said behind closed doors, we can share some of the critical (and fiery!) conversations and topics that executives need to be thinking about and discussing, some of which we asked and addressed in this special recording. Host Jason Henrichs brings the sauce and is joined by recognized industry voices and Hot Takes contributors Kia Haslett from Bank Director, Alex Johnson of Fintech Takes, and Chris Nichols, Director of Capital Markets at South State Bank and writer of South State's Banker to Banker blog. Leave us a comment on LinkedIn about what you liked, and you may just find yourself the winner of one of the limited-edition Hot Takes hot sauces the panelists enjoyed! First come, first served on the sauce (while supplies last). Don't delay—listen now and join the discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr4Y_eTI_O8

In This Episode It is 2014, and Breaking Banks host Jason Henrichs is having coffee with Nektarios Liolios, an early leader in financial services innovation. Jason is in London—the uncontested fintech capital of the world at the time—sitting in the shadow of the Tower of London, seeking advice during what feels like the wreckage of his life post-Perkstreet.Nektarios, today's guest, was on a journey of his own. He joined SWIFT, the global payments messaging service, in 2007 and held various roles, from working with funds to collaborating with startups. He had recently left to co-found Startup Boot Camp Fintech and Rainmaking Innovation, a corporate innovation studio. He stepped away from both five years later for a period of reflection—which you'll hear about—before co-founding another fintech venture, Radish Credit, which recently wound down. Along the way, he's gathered an abundance of hard-earned wisdom. For those unfamiliar with Killing It, the name comes from a private joke between Jason and his Perkstreet co-founder. When asked how things were going, they would say, “We're killing it,” then mutter under their breath, “like putting a knife in it.” Perkstreet, founded in 2008, was one of the first neobanks and one that crash-landed when an acquisition fell through. Listen in as Jason and Nektarios continue the candid conversation they began years ago. Breaking Banks' Killing It series isn't just about startup failures; it's about transitions and changes in identity. It's about founders who sell successfully, only to see their dream owned by someone else. It's about entrepreneurs who step away or are forced to. Killing It is about the journey of reinvention. This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship from a seasoned fintech founder, ecosystem builder, and mental health advocate.

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, Don Ginsel, host of our sister show Breaking Banks Europe, takes our mic and brings the conversation stateside. Don is joined by Nik Milanović, founder of This Week in Fintech, for a wide-ranging and energizing discussion of the latest forces shaping the fintech landscape. From the evolving role of traditional banks and increasing interest in stablecoins to the current state of fintech M&A, the rise of fraud, and the impact of AI on financial services, Don and Nik cover the topics on everyone's mind. Whether you're a founder, investor, or financial exec, this overview of the trends, risks, and opportunities is not to be missed.

In This Episode In a rare and inspiring crossover episode, Breaking Banks teams up with Barefoot Innovation to bring you a special dispatch from Necker Island, BVI. Hosted by Brett King and Jo Ann Barefoot, this episode captures the energy and insight of a one-of-a-kind fintech gathering organized by Virgin Unite: an event bringing together innovators from around the world, from a cross section of industry, exploring what the future of finance could (and should) look like. Podcasts hosts and speakers Brett and Jo Ann share their talks and insights from this carbon neutral event, connecting with Dr. Nick Hughes, OBE, father of M-Pesa, co-founder of M-Kopa and now Managing Director 4rdigital.com, the fourth revolution is digital, to cover all things fintech. Listen as these leaders discuss applications of fintech in other markets and all that is possible if we come out of our silos and collaborate -- the combination of problem solving perspectives, resources, networks and more can make an impact on some of the world's toughest challenges. We have the tech to do what we need to do, the potential is enormous! If you're looking for inspiration and forward-thinking ideas this episode delivers!

In This Episode Killing It is back! Jason Henrichs' series on banking and fintech entrepreneurs returns with Cokie Hasiotis In this episode of Breaking Banks, Jason Henrichs connects with Cokie, serial entrepreneur and exited founder of Twali and drippi. Cokie candidly shares her entrepreneurial journey, providing insights into the emotional challenges and tolls inherent in entrepreneurship, and the stress of pivoting business. She also reflects on how these experiences have shaped her, underscoring the significance of community, the importance of self-awareness and filtering advice from others. Tune in to hear more about identity as a founder, navigating loss, soft landings, and transitioning to new opportunities.

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, it's a powerhouse podcast mashup you won't want to miss. What happens when two leading voices in fintech join forces? You get a fast-paced, insight-packed conversation on the future of finance, banking innovation, and emerging technologies—recorded live in Finland. Breaking Banks host Brett King teams up with Pål Krogdahl and Ville Sointu, hosts of the Nordics' #1 fintech podcast Fintech Daydreaming, for a high-level exploration of where the industry is headed next. In this episode, they dive into some of the most important developments shaping the future of financial services, including:      *The rise of mobile money and how it's reshaping economies      *The role of digital identity in secure, seamless transactions      *The concept of Q-Day and its long-term implications for cybersecurity in banking      *Smart contracts and business process in an autonomous algorithmic marketplace      *Agentic AI, KYM (Know Your Machine) and AI in Financial Transactions, and      *A sneak peek at Brett's upcoming book, Branch Tomorrow This wide-ranging conversation serves as both a primer and a deep dive into the innovations transforming fintech right now. Whether you're tracking the next big trend or trying to stay ahead of digital disruption, this episode delivers high-value insights from three thought leaders at the forefront of change. Listen now and get future-ready!

In This Episode There's something happening beneath the surface of every pizza order, every childcare payment, and every invoice sent by businesses across America. A quiet revolution that most people— sometimes even business owners themselves— have barely noticed. Traditional banks are being methodically extracted from the daily financial lives of businesses, replaced by something more streamlined, more embedded, as banking becomes just another node in a business operating system. We dug into those threats last episode on “The Invisible Heist”. This week, Jorge Garcia, Founder and CEO of Linker Finance, and Samer Saab, SVP of Product for Alloy Labs, join host JP Nicols and co-host Barb MacLean as we look at some viable options for banks to foil the heist and create a competitive response. We'll look at the surprising opportunities sitting right in front of us, and how banks are rewriting the playbook to land and expand commercial customers through digital banking.

In This Episode Banking executives, your business customers aren't leaving you for another bank—they're leaving banking altogether— at least partially. For now. As a part of our “Unbreak the Bank” series we dissect the most significant existential threat to community financial institutions since the 2008 crisis: the systematic extraction of business banking services into everyday business software. Community banks are hemorrhaging 12-18% of operational deposits annually to companies that don't even consider themselves “banks”, and they're moving upmarket. The competitive battlefield has shifted, and “relationship banking” is not enough to compete. Customers are integrating business solutions into their daily workflow, and banks risks being shut out altogether. Discover why the future isn't about being the best business bank – it's about being a relevant layer in the best business experience. Fintech Takes founder Alex Johnson and Velocita founder Barb MacLean join host JP Nicols to reveal how embedded lending is systematically dismantling banking relationships as Quickbooks, Square, Toast, and others integrate financial services directly into business workflows, and explore some options for how banks can respond.  https://youtu.be/FV5wUyhng6c?si=KpsHDtG0V4rRXSWt

In This Episode The future of open banking is being built by visionaries like Aaron Swenson, a fintech leader and "Solutioner" who has transformed financial data access, open banking, and governance. On this final episode of Breaking Banks' series from Fintech Xchange, powered by U.S. Bank, host Jason Henrichs dives into Aaron's story, vision and journey to date, spotlighting three key initiatives driving fintech innovation: Finicity – Revolutionizing open banking by giving individuals and businesses secure, high-quality access to financial data FDX (Financial Data Exchange) – Leading the charge for 1033 compliance and open banking standards, and ensuring seamless, permission-based data sharing across the financial ecosystem The Stena Center for Financial Technology – Bridging education and industry to accelerate fintech innovation and financial inclusion Aaron's problem-solving mindset and deep industry knowledge have made a lasting impact on the future of financial services. Listen to the compelling conversation to hear how these notable impacts are reshaping the fintech landscape, improving data usage and security, and driving smarter financial decision-making in financial services. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7UyoDGpfFo

In This Episode Powered by U.S. Bank and recorded live at Fintech Xchange hosted by the Stena Center for Financial Technology, this episode dives into the most pressing issues shaping financial services today. In our first segment, Jason Henrichs chats with Sima Ghandi, Sr Advisor FS Vector, Co-Founder of Coalition of Financial Ecosystem Standards (CFES) and Phil Goldfeder, CEO American Fintech Council (AFC). AFC, a standards-based organization representing large financial technology (Fintech) companies and innovative banks, promotes a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system supporting innovation and access to responsible financial products. CFES is a new (2024) industry-led organization with the goal of developing standards that promote safety and soundness for non-banks participating in financial services. They cover: ·  The growing role of bank-fintech partnerships in innovation and growth, and expanding access to financial services.·  The importance of clear risk management and compliance standards in maintaining operational and business viability in the fast-moving world of financial services Then, the conversation shifts to AI and fraud prevention as Jason speaks with John Sun, CEO of Spring Labs, and Simon Taylor, Head of Content & Strategy at Sardine. Sardine offers an AI risk platform for fraud, credit and compliance, and Spring Labs provides an AI-Native conversational intelligence platform that turns chatter into actionable insight. Together, they explore: ·  The future of financial services in a world increasingly reliant on automation and robots·  The broader implications of AI and Generative AI in shaping the future of financial services From standards setting in banking and fintech to AI and fraud this episode delivers hot takes and expert insights on the opportunities, risks, and evolving landscape of financial technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBdMjPG1rvE

In This Episode This week, we bring you Part III of exclusive insights from Fintech Xchange '25 at the Stena Center for Financial Technology and the University of Utah, powered by U.S. Bank. Host Jason Henrichs engages in a dynamic discussion with Jason Mikula of Fintech Business Weekly and Chris Black, CEO & President of Thread Bank. Their conversation spans topics from Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and regulatory shifts under the new administration to the dual-edged nature of innovation in today's financial landscape. Chris delves into Thread Bank's unique transformation as it evolved from the historic Civis Bank—established in 1906—into a fintech-enabled community bank. In 2021, new leadership recapitalized and revitalized the institution by adopting an industrial approach to BaaS and launching Thread. Thread's goal is to deliver the unparalleled value of a community bank to individuals and businesses, leveraging intuitive technology to meet customers where they are. Maintaining two local branches, Thread is delivering on its mission of embedded banking -- deposits, loans, and payments, and exemplifies the integration of traditional banking services with modern embedded banking solutions. By transcending geographical limitations and focusing on scalable, durable models, Thread collaborates with partners to manage risks and capitalize on the strengths of partnership banking. In the second segment, University of Utah alumnus Rhett Roberts, CEO & Co-founder of LoanPro, joins "the Jasons" to discuss the evolving fintech ecosystem and APIs. Are they coming of age? Naturally they talk about cores, and how banks are in the process of conscious decoupling to build resilient infrastructures in order to weather future disruptions. Rhett shares LoanPro's journey from inception to powering some of the biggest lenders in fintech. LoanPro offers a scalable, API-first lending and credit platform that fosters innovation by streamlining origination, servicing, collections, and payments across various loan types, lines of credit, and credit cards. This narrative underscores the transformative impact of fintech solutions in modernizing financial services. Listen and watch to explore these compelling stories!

In This Episode In this episode we continue the series powered by U.S. Bank and recorded at the University of Utah's Fintech Xchange. CAUTION: The episode is hot! Breaking Banks' Hot Takes host Jason Henrichs, regulars Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Jason Mikula (Fintech Business Weekly) are joined by David Ness, U.S. Bank's SVP Innovation, R&D and Peter Renton, Fintech Nexus, Chairman & Co-Founder. The newcomers jump right in, going straight for Fintech on Fire (#11 on a scale of 1 - 10), and comfortably deliver hot takes from the hot seats, recapping major themes from the event, and making predictions as to what 2025 brings to our industry. Plenty of insights are shared and there's plenty for the risky spice-takers to tackle including BNPL (acronym for a popular industry term, of course, and also our new Burn Now Pay Later hot sauce). Two other clues as to what the group might have talked about....the RegTech Reaper and Stable Coin Scorch . Don't worry, there's plenty more where these came from! Listen now on your favorite podcast platform! It's a hot conversation, worth being in the room for...to catch the visuals check it out on YouTube (@provokefm and while you are there, hit subscribe)!

In This Episode This week we introduce you to a series profiling the digital banks and founders that are changing the world of banking. Focused on first hand accounts from founders all over the globe, the series chronicles the NeoBanking movement from the early days though to today, documenting the players building a new category of digital banking, reshaping the digital movement. Throughout our series we look at foundation stories, challenges each had, and the regulatory approach each took -- a look at the pioneering history of the neo and challenger bank movement. In this episode, Breaking Banks host Brett King connects with bunq's Founder & CEO. Ali Niknam. bunq is based in The Netherlands, a small country doing big things. bunq, bank of The Free, offers mobile banking that makes life easy for every new chapter in one's life, and for the digital nomad in everyone. Born out of Ali's interest in creating products that people like to use, bunq began in 2012 and its mobile app came out in 2015, all with the aim to help the world forward and do banking a little differently. bunq has brought lasting change to the European banking industry. Having built a product rooted in customer needs and wants, bunq quickly scaled to become the second largest neobank in the EU. Serving digital nomads across the European Economic Area, bunq makes life easy for location-independent people and businesses starting from the way they manage money: how they spend, save, budget and invest. On a mission to build the first global neobank for digital nomads, bunq announced its bid to enter the US market (April 2023) by applying for a banking license. It's an intriguing story, not to be missed!

This week on Breaking Banks, we take you inside fintechXchange, hosted by the Stena Center for Financial Technology at the University of Utah. As a proud media partner of the event, we explore how industry, academia, and policymakers are coming together to drive the future of financial services.Host Jason Henrichs sits down with Meghan Kober, VP of Fintech Partnerships & Investments at U.S. Bank, Taylor Randall, President of the University of Utah, and Ryan Christiansen, Executive Director of the Stena Center for Financial Technology. Together, they discuss the power of ecosystem building, highlighting the incredible human capital fueling innovation: VCs, startups, and institutions of all sizes collaborating to shape the next wave of fintech growth and banking transformation. Then, it's time for the first Hot Takes of 2025, recorded live from 'Silicon Slopes'! Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Jason Mikula (Fintech Business Weekly) are back in the hot seats with Jason Henrichs to break down the latest fintech headlines with sharp insights and no-holds-barred opinions. They dive into: The latest in open banking, the CFPB and regulation The fate of BaaS Island, Synapse, and Patriot Bank's BSA & AML challenges What really is possible with bankruptcy proceedings and what does it mean for fintech's future This episode is packed with insight, energy, and hard-hitting discussions you won't want to miss! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ-bdJNLu60

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, we take you inside fintechXchange, hosted by the Stena Center for Financial Technology at the University of Utah. As a proud media partner of the event, we explore how industry, academia, and policymakers are coming together to drive the future of financial services.Host Jason Henrichs sits down with Meghan Kober, VP of Fintech Partnerships & Investments at U.S. Bank, Taylor Randall, President of the University of Utah, and Ryan Christiansen, Executive Director of the Stena Center for Financial Technology. Together, they discuss the power of ecosystem building, highlighting the incredible human capital fueling innovation: VCs, startups, and institutions of all sizes collaborating to shape the next wave of fintech growth and banking transformation. Then, it's time for the first Hot Takes of 2025, recorded live from 'Silicon Slopes'! Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Jason Mikula (Fintech Business Weekly) are back in the hot seats with Jason Henrichs to break down the latest fintech headlines with sharp insights and no-holds-barred opinions. They dive into: The latest in open banking, the CFPB and regulation The fate of BaaS Island, Synapse, and Patriot Bank's BSA & AML challenges What really is possible with bankruptcy proceedings and what does it mean for fintech's future This episode is packed with insight, energy, and hard-hitting discussions you won't want to miss!

In This Episode We are excited to introduce you to Provoke.fm's newest podcast....a-spinoff-of-a-spinoff of Breaking Banks. Bankers Bookshelf brings cutting edge banking and fintech research to life, sharing the stories and strategies behind financial innovation, bridging the gap between technology and finance -- a perfect fit for the Breaking Banks family! Host Paolo Sironi, global research leader in banking and financial markets at IBM Institute for Business Value, is a trailblazer in fintech himself. In this episode, Paolo connects with Ronit Ghose who runs the Future of Finance team in Citi's thought leadership unit "Citi Global Insights", and is the author of Future Money: Fintech, AI and Web 3. The world of money is rapidly changing, but what does it all really mean? The duo discuss insights from the book with Ronit bringing technical topics to vivid life via narrative deep dives into selected founders and their companies. From London to Lagos, via Ahmedabad, Dubai, Hong Kong, Karachi and more, this episode pulls together the story of how money is changing in the internet era. Subscribe to Bankers Bookshelf https://provoke.fm/show/the-bankers-bookshelf/ or listen via your preferred podcast platform now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp1E9Fs3rco

In This Episode Getting digital right can be challenging for anyone --small banks, big banks, incumbents, challengers, you name it. In this episode, Brett King meets up with Akbank's Consumer Banking & Digital Solutions, EVP, Burcu Civelek Yuce to talk about Akbank and Akbank LAB, Akbank's Innovation Lab. The discussion focuses on the incumbent bank 's digital engagement and excellence in collaborating and partnering with fintechs and big tech. Turkey is the 18th largest country in the world in terms of population size, with Akbank one of the largest banks (77 years young) in Turkey. Akbank has nimbly undergone a smoothe digital transformation with the majority of its customers now coming through digital channels -- be it new customer acquisition, servicing or sales. Akbank LAB is the innovation center that coordinates Akbank's pioneering fintech developments. Here, they study best working models and implement solutions to make the lives of Akbank's customers easier. Fintech partnership and collaboration are key components of Akbank LAB's success, with partners working hard to create value for their customers. Akbank is embracing AI with Banking IQ, hyper personalized information on customers, and is actively reskilling employees to lead the way forward. Listen to this engaging conversation to learn best practices relevant for all banks and financial institutions. For further information: akbanklab.com or akbanklab@akbanklab.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SbBhLVNvlQ

In This Episode What's the key to financial security today? As technology and a shifting economy reshape how we save, spend, borrow, and plan for the future, mastering the art of money management is critical for achieving financial health. Listen as Jennifer Tescher, host of sister podcast Emerge Everywhere and Founder of the Financial Health Network, speaks with Suze Orman – personal finance expert, author, Emmy Award winner, and Co-Founder of workplace emergency savings platform SecureSave – about the critical role of savings and an important step companies can take to support employees' financial success today. Dedicated to improving financial health for all, especially the most vulnerable among us, Emerge Everywhere tackles the complex issues intersecting the financial well-being of people across America while exploring how to build an inclusive economy. Listen now!

In This Episode 2024 is a wrap! Listen as industry leaders and fintech influencers share insights on the year that was before turning the lens forward to 2025. What will be hot in this new year? Back by popular demand, Breaking Banks hosts Brett King and JP Nicols assemble banking industry leaders and fintech influencers to get their takes and predictions on what 2025 has in store for the banking industry. Joining the discussion are Jim Marous (The Financial Brand, Banking Transformed), Ron Shevlin (Chief Research Officer, Cornerstone Advisors and Forbes Contributor), and Mary Wisniewski (Cornerstone Advisors, Money Isn't Everything). Together, they explore critical topics shaping the industry, from fraud, risk, and efficiency to cutting-edge innovations like Agentic AI and LLMs, as well as developments in open banking, 1033, and the CFPB. And what about the lingering impact of the Synapse story from 2024? Will 2025 bring a reckoning, or are brighter days ahead for the industry? Tune in for a lively and engaging conversation packed with expert insights and bold predictions. Happy New Year from the team at Breaking Banks

In This Episode Regular listeners of Breaking Banks are likely familiar with the Killing It series, hosted by Jason Henrichs and Alex Johnson, where they explore candid stories of success, failure, and the pivotal and sometimes tough decisions that drive the journey from VCs to unicorns in the high stakes world of entrepreneurship. (If you're not, check it out!) In this episode, Brett King shifts gears with a “Starting It” theme, sitting down with industry veteran Anthony Thomson —an entrepreneur, marketer, speaker, author, and founder of Metro Bank, Atom, and 86 400. Metro Bank challenged traditional banking in the UK, while Atom and 86 400 brought innovation as neo-banks in different markets, with 86 400 later acquired by NAB (National Australia Bank) and then merged into UBank. Join this enlightening discussion as Brett and Anthony dive into the unique missions and lessons behind each of these groundbreaking ventures. And who knows? You might even get a sneak peek at the next big breakthrough in the industry! 

This week, host Brett King sits down with Colin Walsh, Founder and CEO of Varo Bank, to explore the journey of building the first all-digital, FDIC-insured de novo bank in U.S. history. Designed to improve financial health and serve a diverse range of customers—from those with financial abundance to those facing economic hardship—Varo Bank is on a mission to create a banking experience that truly works for everyone. With the unique distinction of being the first consumer fintech to be granted a bank charter in US history, Varo is redefining banking with innovative products tailored to modern consumers' needs. From managing fraud and credit risk to building trust and leveraging a cutting-edge tech stack, they delve into the strategies that power Varo's ability to stay agile and customer-focused. Whether it's delivering accessible savings and lending solutions or tackling the challenges of financial inclusion, Varo Bank's story is one of innovation and impact. Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion on how Varo is using digital banking to create financial inclusion by addressing the real financial challenges that Americans face every day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lIqYB3d4IY

In This Episode Southeast Asia's fintech revolution is here, and GXBank is leading the charge. From its roots as a ride-hailing service to becoming Malaysia's first digital bank, GXBank is transforming how Malaysians access and manage their money. This week on Breaking Banks, host Brett King sat down with GXBank's Chief Commercial Officer, Kaushik Chowdhury, and Mastercard's Senior Vice President & Country Manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Beena Pothen. They discuss the incredible journey of GXBank, the partnership with Mastercard, and how the bank is reshaping financial inclusion in Southeast Asia. GXBank, a subsidiary of GXS Bank Pte. Ltd. (a joint venture between Grab and Singtel), officially launched operations September 1, 2023, introducing its app two months later. In a year, the bank has amassed over 750,000 customers, offering innovative and personalized solutions to support financial resilience and inclusion. Learn how GXBank is making banking accessible to all Malaysians while setting a new standard for digital banking in the region. Discover how Mastercard's cutting-edge technologies and deep fintech expertise are empowering GXBank to deliver smarter, more inclusive financial solutions. As fintechs look to build, launch, and grow their business, Mastercard is helping to drive smarter decisions for better outcomes through strong partnerships across the payments ecosystem. Resources:Learn more about GXBank: gxbank.myExplore how Mastercard supports fintech innovation: Mastercard Fintech Services Recorded end of September

In This Episode Southeast Asia's fintech revolution is here, and GX Bank is leading the charge. From its roots as a ride-hailing service to becoming Malaysia's first digital bank, GX Bank is transforming how Malaysians access and manage their money. This week on Breaking Banks, host Brett King sat down with GX Bank's Chief Commercial Officer, Kaushik Chowdhury, and Mastercard's Senior Vice President & Country Manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Beena Pothen. They discuss the incredible journey of GX Bank, the partnership with Mastercard, and how the bank is reshaping financial inclusion in Southeast Asia. GX Bank, a subsidiary of GXS Bank Pte. Ltd. (a joint venture between Grab and Singtel), officially launched operations September 1, 2023, introducing its app two months later. In a year, the bank has amassed over 750,000 customers, offering innovative and personalized solutions to support financial resilience and inclusion. Learn how GX Bank is making banking accessible to all Malaysians while setting a new standard for digital banking in the region. Discover how Mastercard's cutting-edge technologies and deep fintech expertise are empowering GX Bank to deliver smarter, more inclusive financial solutions. As fintechs look to build, launch, and grow their business, Mastercard is helping to drive smarter decisions for better outcomes through strong partnerships across the payments ecosystem. Resources:Learn more about GX Bank: gxbank.myExplore how Mastercard supports fintech innovation: Mastercard Fintech Services Recorded end of September

In This Episode Good leaders drive day-to-day results. Great leaders share visionary ideas and then inspire organizations and stakeholders to find a way to get there. In today's second segment, Jennifer Tescher, host of sister podcast Emerge Everywhere, introduces this year's Financial Health Visionary Award honoree, Brian Moynihan, Chair and CEO of Bank of America. The Visionary award recognizes those who have shown unparalleled leadership in building a more inclusive financial system and empowering the next generation of leaders to innovate solutions that improve financial health for all. Listen to hear about Brian's commitment to financial health and the upcoming headwinds and tailwinds impacting customers' financial health. But first, bestselling author Michael J Casey, the chairman of DAIS (Decentralized AI Society), senior advisor on MIT Media Lab's Digital Currency initiative, and previous Chair of Consensus at CoinDesk, joins Brett to talk about the reality of decentralized and open source AI. The intersection of DeFi and DeAI appears to be a logical path if not for the hundreds of billions being invested in big tech efforts to create AGI. Is it possible to really make AI less centralized and still deliver the promise of a highly automated world? You'll need to tune in to find out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QSByxCEUbA

This week on Breaking Banks, host Brett King takes us to Shanghai for a riveting discussion with Jason Cao, CEO of Huawei's Global Financial Services competency. In this eye-opening episode, they uncover how China is shaping the future with AI—not as a mere tool for profit, but as core infrastructure driving the world's fastest-growing economy. Discover why GenFi LLMs (Generational Financial Language Models) don't exist yet—and what's holding AI like ChatGPT back from transforming banking as we know it. Explore how China's unique approach to technology infrastructure is setting them apart from the West, with Huawei leading the charge in algorithmic advancements. But here's the billion-dollar question: as China forges ahead in creating a Smart Economy of the Future, can the U.S. even compete? The stakes are higher than ever. Tune in for a conversation that could redefine the future of global finance and AI dominance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCqmVDiKms4

In This Episode Strong partnerships and value creation can make even solid companies better! Serving over 80% of the top digital payment and neobank fintechs on the CNBC Global Fintech list, Mastercard takes a collaborative approach to innovation. By viewing fintechs as true partners—and bringing data insights, market expertise, and solutions to the table—Mastercard helps fintechs scale by unlocking new opportunities and driving smarter decisions for better outcomes. In today's episode, Brett King connects with Jenique McNaught, Mastercard's Senior Principal, Advisors & Consulting Services, UK & Ireland, and Revolut's Fiona Davies – Head of Growth UK, Ireland & Nordics. Together, they discuss important market dynamics and the trends they see in the regions they cover. One big takeaway is how customers want to have a meaningful relationship with their financial services provider. Trust is more than just a cool factor, it is earned through a solid track record of picking the right partner and interacting with customers in their preferred manner. Everywhere, customers are embracing innovative fintech solutions that embrace convenience and meet their changing needs, with many consumers multi-banked. The trio then dive into Mastercard and Revolut's exciting partnership and spotlight Revolut's incredible growth story.Marking a major milestone -- 50M customers in less than 10 years—Revolut is celebrating and sharing its success with “Revolutionaries,” a one-of-a-kind two-day experiential event for Revolut customers, highlighting revolutionary figures who have challenged norms and pushed boundaries. Then, the latest on bitcoin...Bitcoin has seen a 42% increase in price in just the past month, lots of crypto is up. Listen as Brett King and Henri Arslanian, author, industry expert and speaker, share thoughts on the election impact on #bitcoin and #crypto markets. Hear about this and more in this engaging and dynamic episode! ******************************************************************Interested in learning more about how Mastercard Services can help you innovate? Explore https://go.mastercardservices.com/fintech For more about Revolut and the Revolutionaries:https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/the-revolutionaries/

In This Episode We kick off with a crossover segment featuring Fintech Takes host and fintech insider Alex Johnson, who joins Jason to break down major themes from Money20/20 2024. Together, they explore the hot topics shaping fintech right now: bank-fintech partnerships, Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), open banking (1033), and the evolving role of AI. Alex shares highlights from his on-stage interview with CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, where they discussed the finalized 1033 rule, the ongoing legal pushback from big banks, third-party risk management, and new BaaS standards aimed at creating more balanced partnerships. The duo also dives into the rapid-fire world of AI. Is it all just hype, or are we approaching real innovation? With regulation on the rise, there's a lot for the industry to figure out—standards, safeguards, and perhaps even a looming digital divide. Finally, Jason wraps things up with a lively chat with Mary Wisniewski, Editor-at-Large for Cornerstone Advisors. They discuss financial therapy, Mary's perspective on the latest 1033 updates, and even squeeze in a bit of Texas Hill Country fun. Hit play and join us for a packed episode!

In This Episode How can merchants take control of their finances and fuel growth directly through their commerce platform? This week, Shopify unveils Shopify Finance, a powerful new hub that unifies financial tools for merchants directly within the Shopify admin and mobile app. In this episode of Breaking Banks, Brett King sits down with Vikram Anreddy, Head of Product, Financial Services for Shopify, to break down how Shopify Finance empowers merchants to manage their business, cash flow, and make strategic decisions on-the-go. From Shopify Capital, offering flexible growth loans for merchants and lower costs for faster repayment, to Shopify Balance and Bill Pay for better cash management, Shopify Finance brings a comprehensive suite of tools to merchants. With Shopify Credit—a Visa card with 3% cashback on business purchases—and Shopify Tax for simplified tax compliance, this hub offers a complete view of financial health anytime, anywhere. Good things in store! ********Define your career in fintech with a Masters of Science in Fintech, NYU SternTo learn more stern.nyu.edu/MSFT-BreakingBanks

In This Episode This week, we're shining a spotlight on our sister podcast, Breaking Banks Europe, as they celebrate their 250th episode! Host Matteo Rizzi marks the milestone by reflecting on five incredible years and 500 unique guests. He's joined by six of the show's hosts for an engaging conversation on what fintech means to them, each summing up the past 15 years with a single word. From culture (which shapes fintech's future) to strategy (the key to success), and foresight (looking ahead at how fintech is evolving), these hosts dive deep into the industry. They also explore the possibilities found in challenges, the rollercoaster ride that is fintech, inclusion in emerging markets, and the crucial role of talent and upskilling.Join us as we celebrate the show's favorite moments and raise a toast to five more years of exploring what fintech means. Don't miss out!

In This Episode This week cohosts Brett King and Jason Henrichs have a far reaching conversation, tapping into guest expertise on all things open banking and digital finance. John Pitts, Global Head of Policy at Plaid, Christy Sunquist, Head of Open Finance at Plaid, and Cameron Taylor, Chief Product Officer at Ninth Wave join Jason and Brett as they dive into topics from international open banking and the standards that we can expect out of open banking in the U.S., to how Plaid and Ninth Wave are partnering to assist financial institutions ahead of the rulemaking here in the States. Plaid recently announced their Gateway Partner Program, which gives financial institutions a way to streamline their integrations ahead of open banking requirements, to make it easier for financial institutions to choose an approach that works for their unique needs as they enable open banking. Ninth Wave is Plaid's inaugural partner for the Gateway Program, and will support financial institutions who want to simplify their API integrations while ensuring their customers have access to the thousands of apps and services in the Plaid network. Together, Plaid and Ninth Wave are solving open banking requirements for financial institutions who may be at varying stages of preparedness. Hear about this and much more on this episode of Breaking Banks.

In This Episode The Fed just cut rates. The 50-basis point cut was welcome news for many financial institutions, but the pressures the industry faces are not going away. In fact, rate cuts may mask the underlying changes going on. In our first segment, Jason Henrichs connects with Lake Michigan Credit Union's EVP, Chief Lending and Experience Officer, Eric Burgoon and James White, General Manager, Banking at Total Expert talk about the future of banking. Customers are always in search of highest yield and the best terms. It's easier than ever to move money and customers have options. Institutions need to be reliable, relatable and credible. To do that institutions need an overarching organizational strategy and data to drive personalized products. Where can you find everyone from the collective world of money? Vegas of course, October 27-30! To provide insight into Money 20/20 2024 and this year's money and fintech story, Chief Strategy Officer Scarlett Sieber and Zach Anderson Pettet, VP of Global Fintech Strategy, connect with Brett King to talk about the conference and the dynamics as they see it shaping financial services. Keynotes from industry experts and rising stars lead the agenda with sessions on open banking, AI, borderless payments, embedded finance, fraud, policy & regulation and of course, they've built in lots of fun...no spoiler alerts here! If you are headed to Vegas, join us for the Fintech Luminaires reception. You can apply for an invitation with this link: https://lu.ma/p0zcx7ki See you in Vegas!! https://youtu.be/3lIHDhzVfnU

In This Episode AI is simultaneously taking over the world and disappointing in it's ability to take over the world depending on the publication you read. No doubt we are in the first innings. Today Derek Higginbotham, CEO of First Electronic Bank, Matt Bochenek CEO of Avant and John Sun, CEO of Spring Labs, and Jason Henrichs talk about why everyone needs to be getting up to bat with AI, no matter the size of institution you work for. Spring Labs AI Native Banking and Fintech conference is next week and has a powerhouse lineup. Register at conferences.springlabs.com and use code SpringLabsXBreakingBanks for a discount.

In This Episode Globetrotter and Host Brett King shares banking news and investment conversations from around the world We start today's podcast on banking with Brett's one on one discussion on tech in Thailand with Dr. Supachai Kid Parchariyanon. Dr. Kid is CEO and Co-Founder of consulting company Rise, and managing partner for SeaX Ventures, a Thai venture capital firm with presence in Silicon Valley. Rise's company goal is to drive 1% of the GDP in Thailand as well as reduce 1% of carbon emissions in all of Southeast Asia. Earlier in his career, Dr. Kid was a key figure responsible for bringing the social media app Twitter (now known as X) to Thailand, it was a technical challenge, and one that had legal barriers as well. Later, he and his team were also able to code software for the Nokia phone, creating in his words a “Robin Hood-like app” for Thailand. He speaks to us today about the Thai tech scene, what's happening in fintech and the VC world, and specifically what's helping drive the Thai economy -- from fintech to health tourism to the Thai lifestyle movement and digital nomad visas, the conversation is wide-ranging as this small country slowly recovers from covid and faces demographic headwinds. With an aging society they are looking to attract new talent and people to the country, collaborate not compete and expand investment in deep tech, AI, agritech, medical, and tourism tech. Then, from the 24 Fintech Conference in Saudi Arabia, Brett introduces us to Saudi Arabia's Barq, making headlines around the region and other parts of the world, as he sits down with its Chief Business Officer, Saad Almuhana. Barq is the newest and fastest growing private wallet and challenger bank in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and potentially the world, having garnered 1.5M customers in 35 days -- having hit the amazing milestone of 1M customers in 21 days. In Saudi Arabia, younger people represent 70% of the population, tech savvy, mobile banking is very successful in the Kingdom with mobile penetration off the charts. Consumer appetite is high for help with finances in a quick manner. Remittance is a big part of Barq's offering, assuring customers that the optimal rail is selected at the right time for payment transactions. The journey started August 2024 with an EMI license (e-money), expansion plans are already in the works. In their second month, Barq is enhancing service offerings through multiple partnerships and hoping to hit 2M customers. If the evolution of the fintech is such, they have the option to upgrade to a full bank. It's an interesting and unique journey, one of incredible growth. But......one last thing before you listen to the latest episode of our financial podcast,,,,you know what season it is? Not just pumpkin spice, it's conference season and there is a new show to add to your list. The AI-Native Banking & Fintech Conference is happening October 7 in Salt Lake City and Breaking Banks is proud to be a media partner. Our listeners get a 20% discount when they register at conference.springlabs.com and use the code SpringLabsXBreakingBanks. They have an outstanding set of speakers and this is not to be missed. Once again, you have the link http://conference.springlabs.com and the code is: SpringLabsXBreakingBanks, don't forget to claim your discount! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZNxqyOfV6M

In This Episode Warning: Extra spice added -- new sauces and participants! The stream of consent orders against banks that offer BaaS continues. Fintech partner banks drew 1/3 of all formal enforcement orders by federal banking agencies in the 4th quarter of 2023, that's quite a bit when you consider that fintech partner banks only account for roughly 3% of all U.S. banks. BaaS is here to stay -- it's a great way for community banks to grow, big banks are already on board and will do more, and entrepreneurs will want to continue to create better banking experiences which means they'll need to partner with banks. Jason Henrichs brings you our latest Hot Takes with regulars Kiah Haslett, Bank Director; Alex Johnson, Fintech Takes; and Jason Mikula, Fintech Business Weekly, as they are joined by Barb MacLean, SVP, Head of Tech Operations & Implementation, Coastal Community Bank and Allen Denson, Partner, Litigation, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP.  The flaming hot panel discusses why BaaS is facing regulatory headwinds, what banks should do, and how the North Star needs to be a BaaS solution that provides the optimal blend of technology and compliance, all while having some fun. From the stage of FinovateFall we bring you this episode of Breaking Banks. https://youtu.be/Fk01H61HlJc

In This Episode It's a mashup between Breaking Banks and Dave and Dharm Demystify, a podcast that takes you on a journey through the ever evolving world of fintech and digital finance. In this episode triple hosts, Brett King, Dave Wallace and Dharmesh Mistry offer thought provoking discussion and insights, covering off the fintech movement and relevancy in this new state of banking. Integration is key in the new world order. Special shout out to JPMorgan Chase for all they are doing. What will the banking experience look like in the future? When Q-Day comes there will be radical transparency, get those strategies in place. Join the discussion, weigh in, share your thoughts and feedback! https://youtu.be/CxtFxiEE27Y

In This Episode In this week's episode of Breaking Banks we bring you the next feature in our Killing It series as host Jason Henrichs connects with Ohad Samet, Co-Founder and CEO of TrueAccord. Several calls from unknown numbers and one unpleasant conversation about a forgotten credit card with a relatively small balance was the impetus for Ohad to reimagine the debt collection process and the genesis of TrueAccord. Prior experience as the Chief Risk Officer of Klarna, a European payments company, and experience with other start-ups in the area of risk and analytics served him well. Development is an upward spiral and founding a company (companies actually) involves a lot of self-expression and is often less about the money and more about what you want to do. At some point, though, you may need to fire yourself. Another candid and enlightening conversation in the series with relevance for all.

In This Episode We know you've missed it! Back by popular demand, Hot Takes!....this time some different sauces and a take on the FDIC's proposed ruling to roll back how broker deposits are treated. Rolling it back to 1989 (when Taylor Swift was born, as one guest points out) but also to when the original broker deposit rule was written. Hot Takes regulars Kiah Haslett, Alex Johnson, Jason Mikula are back at it with host Jason Henrichs and special guest Alexandra Steinberg Barrage, former FDIC Executive with 10 years of bank regulatory experience who is now with Troutman Pepper's Financial Services Practices. The industry stalwarts share their perspectives and insights on what the change will mean for the business of banking, it's changed through the eras and there are some big implications for the future. Views expressed are those of the individuals and not their respective employers - the lawyer made us add that. Kick back and enjoy this spicy episode! https://youtu.be/yW6m7yCif-A

In This Episode Opening doors to high-potential fintech startups that share a mission to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible has been a goal of Mastercard's with the founding of Start Path in 2014. Since its inception the program has helped over 430 startups in 57 countries. With partnership in its DNA, Start Path is helping define how the company innovates for the future and creates meaningful, sustainable impact for society. Working with players large and small, Mastercard is helping fintechs push the boundaries of what's possible, to foster innovation, expand access and ensure trust. This symbiotic relationship helps the partners innovate at scale and, together, change the game for the wider commerce ecosystem. In this episode, Brett King connects with Sabrina Tharani, SVP, Global Fintech Programs at Mastercard and Jordan Wright, Co-Founder & CEO of Atomic Financial, a leader in payroll and merchant connectivity solutions, and a member of the Mastercard Start Path Open Banking program. Listen as they discuss Start Path and how their commercial partnership is enabling consumers to automatically switch their direct deposits and update recurring bill payments. A secure, seamless online banking experience through Mastercard Open Banking, solutions delivered in partnership with Atomic, ultimately helping drive account primacy for financial institutions. As fintechs look to build, launch and grow their business, Mastercard is helping drive smarter decisions for better outcomes across the payments ecosystem. Interested in joining Mastercard Start Path? Click here to learn more about the programs and apply online.

In This Episode Consent orders are dropping with increasing frequency. Historically consent orders were viewed as failing grades. It's no surprise that bankers are a breed that don't respond well to failing grades, it is the credit mentality around loss avoidance that leads to an overly developed risk-mitigation culture. Doing new things, by definition, requires taking on risk at some level. In this episode, Jason Henrichs is joined by guests Gilles Gade, Founder & CEO, Cross River Bank, Phil Goldfeder, CEO, American Fintech Council, Clayton Mitchell, Managing Principal, Crowe Risk Consulting, and Mandi Simpson, Partner, Lead Accounting Advisory team at Crowe as they dive into the critical topic of organizational resilience for banks in the wake of receiving a regulatory consent order. Together they explore how financial institutions can not only comply with regulatory requirements but also use this challenge as an opportunity to strengthen their operations and culture. Spoiler Alert: Lots of great quotes in this episode!

In This Episode Digital banking is reshaping market share. All the fastest growing banks these days are fintechs.  After a three year battle, fintech challenger Revolut has provisionally secured a UK Banking License. With this, Revolut can now represent themselves as a bank, having the rights and obligations of a chartered financial institution in the UK. Revolut already had a license in the EU but the UK license could help with entry into the US. With 45M customers, revenue over $2B and profitable, they are making a mark for themselves. Listen as hosts Brett King and JP Nicols share their take on the news and implications for the industry. Then, it's Tyme....TymeBank, South Africa's (and the African continent's) most successful challenger bank aimed at the lower income market. Listen as Co-Founder, Coen Jonker, speaks with Brett to share Tyme's origin story and progress. Tyme is challenging the notion of how neos might work in this space. It began with BaaS and several years later, 2019, TymeBank launched in South Africa (SA). Launching during CoVid taught Tyme (Take Your Money Everywhere) to build an anti-fragile business.One of three banks since 2000 to have been granted a SA banking license, TymeBank uses a phygital operating model to work towards it's goal of financial inclusion and democratizing access to banking. In 2022 they expanded to the Philippines, GoTyme, and now, Vietnam. Via digital kiosks for onboarding in physical retail stores -- you can open an account in 3 - 5 minutes and be issued a debit card -- they are building trust and educating customers, integrating banking into the shopping proposition. TymeBank is in it for the long game.

In This Episode Another thrilling episode of Breaking Banks' special series Killing It!. Host Jason Henrichs connects with fintech superstar, dare we say fintech Olympian (Paris 2024!), Bill Harris, industry veteran, founder of 10+ tech and fintech companies, author, and current Founder & CEO of Evergreen Money. Together Jason and Bill look back at Bill's career to date, the different companies, the lessons learned and the tough calls made. Among those hard decisions, the need, at times, to avoid prolonging a failing venture and the need to conserve resources. It's a race to the finish where Bill shares details about his latest endeavor. https://youtu.be/zh-rAm6t_DY

In This Episode Integration is a team sport these days. There is a need for constant adaptation and innovation, it can be complex and expensive, a lack of standards in the U.S. has introduced a lot of competing standards and solutions challenging business and consumer adoption. Partnerships and tighter focus can be key to bringing down cost to exchange funds and complement the current payments system with $80 Trillion processed on the ACH system in 2023, $55 Trillion of it B2B payments. Listen as Brett King catches up with Dwolla's CEO, David Glaser and CTO, Skyler Nesheim. Dwolla was first featured on Breaking Banks back in 2013, they bring us up to date on the innovative interfaces that Dwolla offers to the US banking system and their ability to work with innovators of all sizes. It's an interesting discussion covering RTP payments, open banking, pay by bank, connections to the ACH Network and RTP Network for institutions of all sizes. Then Jason Henrichs chats with veteran financial services executive, founder & CEO Sanjib Kalita, about fintech events from Money 20/20 to Fintech Meetup and beyond. From best practices to the need to create the right culture and maximize the value of content and improve ROT (Return on Time), differentiation is important as is contributing to greater knowledge. Are there too many events? It's a master class in events!

In This Episode Deposits are the aqua vitae of banking, the water of life. The very core of the traditional banking business model is gathering deposits at no to low-cost and lending the money back out at higher rates. Bankers used to reference the “3-6-3 Rule”: bring in deposits at 3%, make loans at 6%, and be out on the golf course by 3:00PM. Money is the primary raw material in the business of banking. The difference between what financial institutions pay for that raw material is subtracted from what they earn from lending it out right at the very top of their income statements. That difference is net interest income, and it is the largest component of earnings for virtually every bank. As much as 95% or more for some. Expressed as a ratio, the net interest margin or NIM is a key metric in measuring bank performance, and it's been under considerable pressure lately. The traditional levers have been trying to lower deposit rates and raise loan rates, and hope you don't lose too much volume. As the business has become more complex, so have the tools and strategies to reduce that pressure. Today we get into some of the hidden levers that banks are using to add non-rate value, one focus is SBA lending. How new approaches and new technology is expanding the market for banks large and small, and also for fintechs; and how the secondary market is helping to improve liquidity and improve NIM. Joining host JP Nicols in this episode are Steve Tanzer and Joel Updegraff, both Managing Directors at Brean Capital.

In This Episode This Breaking Banks episode's Killing It guest went from software engineer to investment banker to founder of a community supporting the next generation of fintech founders to adviser then founder of the fintech team at Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z) and now solo venture fund founder in the fintech space investing at the angel, pre-seed and seed stage. Meet Rex Salisbury, founder Cambrian Ventures, backing early-stage companies, as he shares his journey and founder stories -- his path, motivation and the support that ultimately led him to being a solo fund founder after clearly being bitten by the fintech bug. He shares thoughts on putting talents and strengths to good use, creative destruction and how to think about failure to get you where you want and ought to be. In short, he's killing it!

In This Episode Soft landings are a topic of hot conversation these days. The go-go days where you can always raise another round are gone. The ecosystem is littered with companies with little product market fit, less revenue and even less runway. Many of these are looking for a soft spot to land. Unfortunately M&A is hard in the best of times and many fintechs are now looking to banks as a potential exit. In the first half of today's show, Jason Zaler, partner at Oliver Wyman, joins Jason Henrichs to discuss Oliver Wyman's  new report on bank fintech M&A. In the second half,  Robert Antoniades, General Partner at Information Venture Partners, and Jason H talk about 3 decades of venture cycles and M&A more broadly including strategies for big banks, community banks, fintechs and even VCs.

In This Episode Come for the expert views on how the Synapse bankruptcy has led to regulatory consent orders for three banks (so far), stay to find out what happens when two regulatory lawyers and a self-declared ‘bank nerd' editor break down the issues and the lessons for the rest of the industry. Matt Janiga from Trustly, Jesse Silverman from Troutman Pepper, and Kiah Haslett from Bank Director dive deep into what went wrong on the bank side, and what banks need to do to avoid a similar fate. Jesse has ideas for a better regulatory system, and says banks need to think beyond disclosures. Matt says banks need to step up their AML/BSA compliance systems and not try to do too much at once. Kiah gives a little history lesson and goes on a rant about how much of banks' risk management systems are anything but. Everyone agrees with JP that banks keep stumbling over well-known issues, and that the risks of inaction are too big to ignore.

In This Episode It's a Breaking Banks and Finovate collab! Fresh off of FinovateSpring hosts JP Nicols, Greg Palmer and Brett King talk trends, takeaways and best of show; bringing the best to you in this episode. If you missed FinovateSpring, enjoy the recap and themes, and some of the best fintech innovations covering artificial intelligence, open banking, future payments, CX and more. With new market entrants and the loosening of capital, creativity is coming back into the ecosystem, and the bar is being raised, pushing everyone forward. We also introduce you to one of FinovateSpring's Best of Show winners, Maya Mikhailov, SAVVI AI, Founder & CEO. Meeting users where they are, SAVVI AI offers a powerful AI tool to unlock data and make finserv and fintech goal driven AI use cases easier, distilling data natively into excel, to offer insights for institutions on new product offerings to benefit customers and business. In the coming weeks, tune into sister podcast Finovate for profiles, a deep dive and one-on-ones with all FinovateSpring 'Best of Show' winners: Bloom Credit, Remynt, Kobalt Labs, QuickFi, SAVVI AI, Cascading AI

In This Episode Jake Gibson, former investment banker, entrepreneur / co-founder NerdWallet, angel investor, now VC founder Better Tomorrow Ventures, who crossed career paths with host Jason Henrichs 10+ years ago, have an honest discussion about the twists and turns of co-founding a boot-strapping start-up particularly when you are young, on to something and quickly have to figure everything out. After years of hard work and being all-in, tough decisions needed to be made as NerdWallet continued to grow quickly. Jake knew it was time to move on, but so hard to do. The arrival of twins and focus on strengths, honesty, lessons learned, and giving advice to others in similar situations, helped Jake figure his calling and path forward, and has enabled him to keep many 'cards in his wallet'.