Fintech Recap: What Synapse's Collapse Means For BaaS, Fintech
Jun 6, 2024
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Alex Johnson, creator of Fintech Takes newsletter, discusses Synapse's bankruptcy impact on BaaS & fintech, Visa's new 'crebit' credential, CFPB's buy now, pay later guidance, and ongoing finhealth topics with host.
Synapse's bankruptcy impacts BaaS & fintech landscape, raising concerns about end user fund handling and creditor repayment.
Visa's Flex Credential offers payment flexibility by linking a single card number to multiple accounts, enhancing financial control and user convenience.
Deep dives
Synapse and Tabapay deal aftermath
Following the breakdown of the deal between Synapse and Tabapay, major challenges arose. Evolve Bank and Trust did not fund the missing FBO funds, leading Tabapay to walk away, leaving Synapse in an uncontrolled bankruptcy situation. Disputes regarding fund discrepancies further complicated the situation, with Synapse and Evolve at odds over the handling of end user funds, raising concerns about the accuracy of Synapse's ledgers.
Chapter 11 Trustee Appointment
A Chapter 11 trustee, former FDIC Chair Yelena McWilliams, was appointed for Synapse's bankruptcy case. Key creditors, Triple Point Capital and Silicon Valley Bank, played a significant role, seeking repayment and priority return of outstanding debts. The trustee's role is to maximize returns for creditors, emphasizing the complexities and financial stakes involved in the bankruptcy proceedings.
Visa's Flex Credential Innovation
Visa's new Flex Credential innovation aims to revolutionize payment flexibility by enabling a single card number to point to different accounts based on specific transaction contexts. This feature allows users to direct transactions to various accounts programmatically, offering enhanced financial control and convenience. The innovation could reshape user experiences, particularly in blending credit and debit functionalities seamlessly.
CFPB Interpretive Guidance on BNPL
The CFPB's interpretive guidance classifies Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services as credit cards under TILA regulations, while distinguishing them from revolving or open-ended credit products. Emphasizing consumer protections, the guidance focuses on handling disputes, disclosures, and dispute resolution rather than underwriting criteria. Debates arose around furnishing credit bureau data and defining BNPL's status under other regulatory purviews, setting the stage for potential industry shifts.
Alex Johnson, creator of the Fintech Takes newsletter, and I are happy to bring you the latest episode of our monthly podcast, Fintech Recap, where we unpack some of the biggest stories in fintech, banking, and crypto.
This month we had the chance to talk about:
* Latest on Synapse bankruptcy and what it may mean for banking-as-a-service & fintech (this episode was recorded May 29th)
* Visa’s new “crebit” credential
* The CFPB’s interpretative guidance on buy now, pay later
* And, as always, what Alex and I just can’t let go of
If you enjoy listening to this podcast and find value in it, please consider supporting me (and finhealth non-profits!) by signing up for a paid subscription. It wouldn’t be possible to do what I do without the support of listeners like you!