Fintech Layer Cake

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Michele Alt, Co-Founder of Klaros Group, about new opportunities in fintech bank charters.They unpack the recent SmartBiz approval, what it signals for the industry, and the realities of the charter process—from regulatory hurdles to risk management. Michele also shares why now might be the best time in years to act—and why ILC charters could be the next big thing.If you're thinking about chartering, partnering, or future-proofing your fintech, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young welcomes back Simon Taylor—fintech thought leader, writer of Fintech Brainfood, and Head of Strategy & Content at Sardine.They explore the rapidly emerging world of agentic payments and what Visa's new tokenization framework means for AI-driven commerce. Simon also unpacks real-world use cases, from “vibe shopping” to automated business purchasing, and what hurdles—like consumer trust and fraud—still stand in the way.The conversation then shifts to Sardine's groundbreaking Agentic Oversight Framework, which shows how AI agents can safely handle complex compliance tasks like KYC.Whether you're building AI tools, working in compliance, or just curious about the next frontier in payments—this is an essential listen.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, Reggie and Ali are joined by Braulio Lam, Senior Director of Engineering at EQ Bank, to unpack the essential ingredients of selecting and integrating a card processor. With experience across multiple processors and fintech startups, Braulio breaks down what to look for in API documentation, how to assess a processor's operational and customer support readiness, and what a real-world integration looks like. From technical deep dives to agile banking transformation, Braulio offers practical, tactical insights for engineers, product leaders, and anyone navigating the complexities of payments infrastructure.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Cato Pastoll (Co-founder & CEO) and Nik Nampalli (Head of Strategic Projects) of Loop—Canada's #1 business banking platform. Loop offers multi-currency credit cards, global payment tools, and financial services that save SMBs thousands each year.Cato and Nik break down how Loop evolved into a fintech solution for Canadian businesses with cross-border needs, why multi-currency capabilities matter, and what makes Canada's fintech landscape uniquely challenging.Whether you're navigating card issuing, expanding across borders, or curious about what's next for Canadian fintech—this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young sits down with Scott Johnson, President of the Card Division at LoanPro. Scott shares his deep expertise from over two decades in fintech, including his time at Galileo and his current work at LoanPro, where they are pioneering transactional-level credit. Together, they discuss the core pillars of launching a credit card, common mistakes fintech founders make, and how the lending landscape is evolving. Whether you're a fintech builder or just curious about how credit cards really work, this conversation is packed with insights on the future of card issuing and credit products.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young chats with Penny Lee, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association (FTA). Penny shares insights on key federal fintech policy developments, the implications of open banking, and how fintech companies can navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. They discuss recent court filings related to CFPB's final open banking rule, regulatory trends under the new administration, and opportunities for fintechs to influence policy.

Fintech Layer Cake officially kicks off its third season as Reggie Young and Alli Nilsen dive into an insightful conversation with Erica Khalili, Chief Legal Risk Officer and Co-founder of Lead. Erica shares the transformative journey of Lead, from its legacy as a century-old institution to becoming a cutting-edge fintech sponsor bank. She discusses the critical pillars of success—technical excellence, client obsession, and risk management—and reflects on the evolving landscape of fintech partnerships and compliance. Packed with real-world insights, this episode is a must-listen for fintech enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young sits down with Ashwin Vasan and Peter Freeman, partners at FS Vector, to discuss the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for fintech and banking innovation. From personnel changes in Washington to the future of digital assets and data privacy, Ashwin and Peter provide actionable insights on what's shaping the fintech industry in the wake of election outcomes.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young is joined by Matthew Goldman, founder of Totavi, to dive into the latest card trends of 2024 and look ahead at what's in store for 2025. As the first return guest, Matthew shares his insights on the evolving fintech landscape, including the rise of secured cards, the impact of AI in payments, the potential of stablecoins, and predictions for the future of payments. Plus, we explore the regulatory challenges fintechs may face in the coming years and the growing interest in open banking. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the card industry's biggest takeaways and where it's headed next.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young speaks with Tal Schwartz, founder of the Canadian Fintech Newsletter and Exit North Ventures. Together, they explore the Canadian fintech ecosystem, comparing it with the U.S., discussing unique market dynamics, and highlighting opportunities in embedded finance and regulatory innovation. Tal also shares insights on building a Fintech fund and why Canada is primed for fintech growth.

In this episode, Reggie Young unpacks the latest insights from Money 20/20 in Las Vegas. From the rise of AI in compliance and cross-border payments to the evolving challenges in sponsor banking, Reggie dives into key trends shaping fintech. Tune in to hear his reflections and predictions on the future of financial technology and how companies are adapting in a tough regulatory landscape.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young presents a crash course on Sponsor Bank MSAs (Master Services Agreements) with Andrew Grant, co-founder of The Runway Group. They unpack the complexities of these critical agreements, discuss the latest trends in regulatory expectations, and highlight key strategies for founders and operators to navigate sponsor-bank relationships effectively.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Zarik Khan, Head of Compliance Testing at Flex, about the critical role of compliance in fintech companies and how it impacts long-term sustainability and growth.Zarik shares his unique insights gained from his extensive career at major organizations like Discover and Google, and now a compliance leader at Flex. They delve into effective compliance strategies, the evolving fintech landscape, and the potential implications of major industry deals like the Discover and Capital One merger. This conversation is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking insights for fintech leaders and compliance professionals.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young talks with Saira Rahman, VP of New Investor Initiatives at Fundrise, about the intricate world of net interest margins, the importance of strategic bank partnerships, and the evolving landscape of fintech. Saira shares her unique insights from her experiences at both traditional banks and fintech startups, offering practical advice for navigating the complex intersection of banking and technology. Whether you're in fintech or banking, this episode will provide you with actionable insights to refine your strategies. Tune in to learn why more bank partners aren't always better and how interest rates impact fintechs and banks alike.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young sits down with Simon Taylor, Head of Strategy and Content at Sardine, renowned author of the Fintech Brainfood newsletter, and host of the Fintech Brainfood podcast. Dubbed the "Ghost of Fintech Future," Simon shares his insights on the evolving landscape of fintech, lessons learned from the UK's fintech scene, and the growing threat of fraud in financial services. They discuss how Sardine is tackling these challenges with innovative fraud detection techniques and the personal story that drives Simon's passion for financial security. This episode is packed with forward-thinking perspectives, practical strategies, and a look into the future of fintech.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young is joined by Ravi Mikkelsen, co-founder and CEO of Atmos. Ravi shares his journey from engineering in the climate and clean energy sector to founding Atmos, a company that blends climate tech with fintech to create sustainable banking solutions. Delve into Atmos' unique dual-product strategy, which empowers consumers and banks alike to drive positive climate impact. Discover how Atmos leverages bank deposits for clean energy financing and how it navigates the complex landscape of regulatory compliance and customer acquisition.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young chats with Faraz Rana, founder and CEO of Affinity. Faraz shares his journey from being an M&A lawyer to becoming the Chief Legal Officer at Bread and eventually founding Affinity. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from big law to a startup environment, the nuances of the BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) space, and the importance of compliance in FinTech. Faraz also dives into the concept of compliance co-pilots using generative AI and the future of RegTech.

In this special 10th-anniversary episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young is joined by Lithic's co-founders Bo Jiang, Jason Kruse, and David Nichols. Celebrate a decade of fintech innovation as they dive into the transformative journey from their early days at Privacy.com to becoming a leading name in payments infrastructure. The founders share behind-the-scenes challenges, pivotal decisions, and the lessons learned while reshaping the fintech landscape. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast or an industry professional, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the minds of those who are redefining financial technology.

Dive into a world of contrarian insights on "Fintech Layer Cake" as host Reggie Young engages with Nikil Konduru of Lithic. This episode unpacks Nikil's unconventional perspectives on critical fintech topics like Visa Flex, fintech venture capital, and why payments shouldn't be free. Nikil, known for his deep understanding and sharp critiques, discusses the hidden costs of payment experiences, challenges in regulating financial fees, and predicts how fintechs could reshape banking in the U.S. with their technological edge. If you're fascinated by the evolving dynamics of financial technologies, this conversation offers a treasure trove of insights and debates that challenge mainstream views.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young, joined by co-host Alli Nilsen, sits down with Nick Rasines from Column to explore the intricacies of building and maintaining successful partnerships in the fintech industry. Nick shares his expertise on the fundamentals of partnerships, the importance of trust, and the unique challenges and opportunities within the fintech space. From regulatory considerations to the nuances of bank partnerships, this episode provides valuable insights for fintech founders and operators looking to navigate the complexities of the industry. Tune in to discover how Column is redefining fintech partnerships and learn practical tips for creating sustainable and effective collaborations.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young dives deep into the intricacies of earned wage access  (EWA) and its regulatory landscape with Ben LaRocco from EarnIn. They explore what a policy function within a fintech company entails, the role of government relations in shaping how products are perceived and regulated, and the current state and future of earned wage access in the fintech sector.Ben provides a comprehensive primer on EWA, discussing its business models, regulatory challenges, and the impact of policy on innovation and consumer protection.

This episode of Fintech Layer Cake features host Reggie Young in conversation with Polo Rocha, a reporter at American Banker. They dive into the current bank earnings season, discussing the financial health of regional banks post-Silicon Valley Bank collapse, key metrics in bank earnings, and overarching trends in the banking industry. Polo offers expert insights into how public bank disclosures reflect broader trends affecting regional and fintech sponsor banks. The discussion also covers regulatory changes, profitability pressures, and the future challenges banks may face in 2024.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young interviews Daniel Simon, Founder of Coast, a modern financial services platform revolutionizing the fleet card industry.They delve into the complexities of fleet payments and discuss Coast's innovative approach, combining modern technology and customer-centric products to disrupt the traditional fleet card market. Key topics include the technical, regulatory, and operational challenges in fleet payments, Coast's unique solutions, and future trends in the industry.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young is joined by Natasha Vernier, CEO and co-founder of Cable, to discuss the future of compliance in the fintech industry, known as "Compliance 3.0." Natasha shares valuable lessons from her time leading the financial crimes team at Monzo during its hypergrowth phase and provides her perspective on the evolving landscape of bank-fintech partnerships. The conversation delves into the importance of automated effectiveness testing, the challenges of selling fintech solutions to banks, and the potential shift toward embedded finance solutions.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young dives deep into the world of payments and e-commerce with Sairam Rangachari, the co-founder and CTO of Tandym. They discuss the cyclical trends in banking, the evolution of online payments, and how Tandym is helping e-commerce companies offer branded cards to enhance customer experience and reduce processing fees. Sai shares insights from his extensive background in fintech and reveals how Tandym is navigating the challenges of scaling fintech products while fostering innovation.

In this episode, host Reggie Young converses with Jas Randhawa, founder of StrategyBRIX, a fintech risk and compliance consultancy. They delve into Jas' experiences at Stripe and Airwallex, the intricacies of fintech risk and compliance, and how fintechs can safeguard themselves against regulatory scrutiny. The discussion also covers the evolving landscape of fintech-bank partnerships and the increasing importance of compliance technology.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young engages with Chris Rigoni from Coastal Community Bank, exploring the evolving landscape of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and embedded finance. Chris, with his extensive experience in various financial institutions, delves into the complexities and future potential of fintech partnerships, discussing how these collaborations shape customer experience and bank operations. This episode also addresses the challenges and opportunities in the fintech space, particularly for community banks embracing technological advancements and innovative partnerships.

Reggie Young sits down with fintech expert Matthew Goldman in a deep dive into the world of card payments, real-time payment systems, and the latest trends in credit cards. With his extensive background in the card space and as the leader of Totavi, a boutique fintech consulting firm, Matthew shares his invaluable insights on the evolution of card products, the impact of regulatory changes, and the future of credit card services. They explore the nuances of banking relationships, fraud management, and the burgeoning field of Credit-Card-as-a-Service, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future prospects of the fintech industry.Get a 10% discount on Totavi's Credit-Card-as-a-Service Report with the the following code: layercake.

Reggie Young sits down with Stephen Sikes, COO of Public, as they explore the fintech landscape's evolving dynamics. They discuss the significant effects of rising interest rates on retail investor behavior and delve into Public's innovative product strategy, including the launch of a mobile-first retail bond trading platform. Stephen shares thought-provoking perspectives on regulatory challenges, the role of AI in financial services, and the importance of pragmatic incrementalism in achieving meaningful societal and industry-wide progress. This episode is a must-listen for anyone keen on understanding the intersection of finance, technology, and user experience.

Join host Reggie Young in this episode as he explores open banking insights with Matt Janiga, former Fintech Layer Cake co-host, regulatory expert, and current Legal Counsel at Trustly. Dive into the world of open banking and explore the regulatory landscape, dissecting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) proposed rules. Discover the potential impact on competition, data access, and consumer choice in the fintech ecosystem. Whether you're interested in open banking regulations or cutting-edge payment solutions, this episode offers valuable insights into the fintech industry's evolving landscape.

Join us in this episode of Fintech Layer Cake as Reggie Young delves deep into the world of fintech and compliance automation with Tommy Nicholas, the CEO of Alloy.Explore the ever-evolving landscape of fraud trends, the hurdles of selling to banks and mature fintechs, and the future prospects of community banks in the US. Gain valuable insights into establishing trust through compliance, navigating the complexities of card-related fraud, and the latest innovations reshaping fintech infrastructure.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Paul Kesserwani (Cushion Founder & CEO) sits down with Reggie Young as they dive deep into the intricate dynamics of the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) industry. They explore its evolution, regulatory frameworks, consumer behavior, and the pivotal role of companies like Cushion in simplifying bill payments and credit building amidst the complexities of BNPL.

Reggie Young & Nikil Konduru sit down with Brian Barnes, Founder & CEO at M1, to take a closer look at the fintech landscape.From buying a bank, creating a rewards card, and encouraging customer investment, their insights aim to help both consumers and investors in their fintech journey.

In this episode, Reggie Young and Jeff Forkan of Gusto dive deep into payroll payments.They share their thoughts about the process, working with sponsor banks, challenges in dealing with taxes, and enhancing cross-border payroll payments and transfers - all while benefiting both companies and employees.

Reggie Young interviews Sophia Goldberg, the CEO and co-founder of Ansa. Sophia shares her expertise and insights on digital wallets, the future of payment systems, overlooked aspects of the payment process, and how companies could potentially challenge card networks with innovative payment systems.

This Special Episode is a cross-post from the Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast. Reggie Young, Ron Shevlin, and Alan Kaplinsky share their insights on the risks and benefits of AI and chatbots, as well as how fintechs should think about practically implementing them.

Reggie Young interviews Soups Ranjan, CEO of Sardine. They discuss modern fraud detection tools, emerging fraud patterns, consortiums, and lessons from Soups' time leading risk at Revolut and Coinbase.

Reggie Young, with Eduardo Lopez, interview TrueML Co-founder and CEO, Ohad Samet, about debt collection: the problems, the innovations, and the future of the field.

Reggie Young sits down with Jonah Crane, Partner at fintech advisory and investment firm Klaros Groups. They discuss an incredibly important piece of regulatory guidance that has recently been released, outlining how banks should work with third parties like fintechs and what that means for those in the fintech space.

Reggie Young interviews Thejo Kote, founder and CEO of Airbase. They talk about the current state of spend management (aka expense management), and Thejo's predictions for the field for the next few years.  

Reggie Young and Alexandra Barrage dive deep into the FDIC's significance in the financial space of both banks and fintech. They talk about the FDIC's functions, compositions, and scope of authority, while analyzing  how the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank affects fintechs and their relationship with the FDIC. 

Reggie Young and Matt Janiga interview Zach Perret, co-founder and CEO of Plaid. They talk about all things Plaid: how it evolved into being a forefront in open finance, and how it'll continue to unlock financial freedom for everyone.

In this episode, Reggie, Matt, and Scott demystify card networks and explain different core functions, its implementation, and its future in financial or payment institutions. Scott talks about core functions related to card issuance, acquiring and acceptance of payments, and additional services beyond the network operations. He also brings up the challenge of managing everything with the diversity and limitations in networks, while emphasizing the huge influence of technology to the growth of fintechs in Utah.

Reggie Young and Matt Janiga interview Alex Johnson, creator of the newsletter Fintech Takes, and Jason Mikula, writer of Fintech Business Weekly. Alex and Jason talk about CFPB regulations, fintech competition, and customer choice.

This episode tackles FRAML (Fraud and Anti-money Laundering) essentials for fintechs like investment costs & mistakes, weak spots fraudsters exploit, and issues when tackling fraud and AML. Reggie, Matt, and Trisha Kothari discuss fundamental concepts and people you should have in your business, while juggling investing, getting ROIs, losing money, and finding growth and innovation in the Fintech field. 

In this Episode, Robin Poore, VP of Capital Markets & Treasury at BlueVine, talks about the purpose and effect of capital markets for fintechs. He explains the process lenders go through when approving loans through different avenues and emphasizes the qualities fintechs should watch out for in funding partners.

Matt Janiga and Reggie Young interview John Smith, a partner at Morrison Foerster and the former Director at the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). John talks about sanctions, the functions of OFAC, and what sanctions Fintechs can expect.

Matt Janiga and Reggie Young conduct an interview with Rodrigo Suarez of Piermont Bank. He shares insights about how bank sponsors work with fintech companies and how these banks view the fintech landscape.

Matt and Reggie interview Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors, Senior Contributor at Forbes, and Fintech Snark Tank writer. They discuss the evolution of fintech, the regulatory environment for fintech, and checking account potential for various fintech players.

Matt and Reggie discuss the basics of bank partners. A key feature of fintech, bank partnerships can make or break a fintech company.

Matt and Reggie interview Bryan Schneider and Mehul Madia of the law firm, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips as a second part to the two-part series on the CFPB. They discuss the regulatory bureau's processes, as well as best practices for Fintech firms.