About this episode:

On this week's episode of Fintech Insider News, host Ross Gallagher is joined by a panel of experts to dive into the most fascinating stories in fintech and financial services that we've uncovered this week.

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of mental health struggles, including references to suicide. If these topics are sensitive for you, please listen with care. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available - please reach out to a trusted friend, family member or a mental health professional.

Stories covered on the podcast this week include:

Klarna partners with J.P. Morgan ahead of its much-anticipated IPO. Robinhood launches trading options in the UK. QED has invested in Raenest, which seeks to address the issue of slow payments for remote and freelance workers in Africa. Plaid is reportedly working with Goldman Sachs to raise between $300M and $400M through a secondary share sale. AMP's new digital bank is specifically designed for small business owners and solopreneurs. AMP has also launched a new digital bank for side hustlers to manage finances on the go, built on Starling Bank’s Engine platform.

This week's guests:

• Veronica Glab - Independent fintech consultant
• Megan Caywood Cooper - Founder and CEO of Caywood 
• Sarah Kocianski - CEO of Fintech Wales

Timestamps:

Intro - (00:00)

Klarna signs with J.P. Morgan Payments to expand merchant services offering - (06:00)

Robinhood options trading launches in the UK - (18:08)

QED leads $11M investment in Nigerian fintech Raenest - (31:13)

US open banking fintech Plaid reportedly plotting potential $400m secondary share sale - (42:12)

Australia’s AMP taps Starling tech for SMB digital bank - (52:01)

And finally - A discussion about romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day - (55:29)

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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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