The Grant Williams Podcast The Grant Williams Podcast Ep. 107 - David Fergusson FULL EPISODE
Sep 14, 2025
David Fergusson, CEO of Atlas Consolidated, dives into the transformative world of digital banking. He shares his journey developing the Hugosave app, shedding light on the challenges of launching innovative financial solutions in a regulated environment. Fergusson discusses how platforms like HugoHub are revolutionizing traditional banking by cutting costs and enhancing accessibility. The conversation also explores the integration of AI in banking and the ongoing tension between rapid tech advancements and regulatory frameworks, particularly in emerging markets.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Technology Enables Low-Cost Full Banks
- David Fergusson realized modern tech could deliver better banking services to many people at much lower cost.
- That led to building HugoHub: a full end-to-end digital banking platform from rails to app.
HugoSave Exposed Hidden Complexity
- Building HugoSave revealed the complexity of stitching cards, accounts, FX, metals and ETFs into one journey.
- The team therefore created a more powerful platform to blend very different settlement processes.
Start With A Payments License And Software
- Use a Major Payments Institution license plus software to mimic many banking services without a full bank license.
- Manage compliance with counterparties and focus on infrastructure-like operations to cut costs.