Trade-offs of owning a bank versus partner model

About this episode:

It's our first news pod of 2026! Host Ross Gallagher, Head of Consulting at 11:FS, is joined by some great guests to discuss the biggest stories from the world of financial services over the past week.

This week's guests:

• Sarah Kocianski, Fintech Consultant & Advisor

• Benjamin Dada - Fintech operator & Founder, Condia

• Miguel Armaza - General Partner at Gilgamesh Ventures 

Stories covered on the podcast this week include:

In a fresh wave of fintech consolidation and strategic moves, Flutterwave has acquired Mono. JPMorgan has launched its Special Advisory Services initiative to give key clients access to consulting services drawn from the bank’s own practices. PicPay has filed for a U.S. IPO, and Mercury has applied to the OCC for a national bank charter.

Timestamps/stories:

Intro - (00:01)

Flutterwave buys Nigeria’s Mono in rare African fintech exit - (05:10)

JP Morgan forms “special advisory group” to share its “secret sauce” with clients - (18:45)

Brazilian fintech PicPay files for US IPO as profits surge - (31:10)

Mercury Applies for OCC National Bank Charter to Become the Bank for Builders - (41:43)

UK cash withdrawals rise for a 4th year in a row - (51:48)

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About Fintech Insider:

Fintech Insider by 11:FS is a bi-weekly podcast that covers everything from finance and banking to technology and the latest trends in financial services.

Our expert hosts, with hands-on industry experience, are joined by key decision-makers, VCs, and top reporters from across the financial landscape, including guests from companies like Stripe, Revolut, Plaid, PayPal, and Monzo. Together, they break down the biggest news and innovations shaping the space.

Our weekly news show drops every Monday, covering major stories like mergers, new product launches, regulatory shifts, and emerging tech trends. On Thursdays, our Insights show goes deeper into the hottest topics driving the future of finance, including AI in banking, decentralised finance, and the evolving landscape of embedded finance.

Whether you're already in the fintech game or just starting to explore, this is the #1 podcast for you.

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