This Week in Fintech's Podcast

Firdaus Bhathena, CTO of FIS, shares his journey from healthcare to fintech innovation. He discusses managing innovation at a colossal scale, emphasizing the balance between hiring industry veterans and fresh talent. The concept of 'The Harmony Gap' takes center stage, exploring AI's role in addressing financial operational challenges. Firdaus also tackles the legacy COBOL problem, demonstrating how generative AI can aid in modernization. His insights into prioritizing impactful ideas and staying adaptable provide a fascinating glimpse into the future of fintech.

You know you’ve found true fintech OGs when your guests were almost roommates before “fintech” was even a buzzword. That’s exactly the case with today’s guests, Sheel Mohnot and Amit Kumar—two longtime friends and collaborators who’ve not only seen the fintech industry evolve over the last decade-plus, but have helped shape it.In this episode, we dig into their early startup days—FeeFighters, CardSpring, and Twitter M&A tales—plus what it was like building before infrastructure existed, the bets they wish they’d made sooner, and why they believe fintech is still one of the most promising sectors to build in today.We also get into:What Apple Pay did accomplish—and what it still hasn’t replacedWhy a modern global Venmo still doesn’t existWhat Sheel looks for in the next 10 years of fintech innovationAnd why Amit advises CS students to do their “master’s degree at Stripe”Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just love hearing two friends go deep on the evolution of a category they’ve helped pioneer, this episode is packed with insights and reflections. 

Join David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark and former head of Libra at Facebook, alongside Dan Kimerling, founding partner at Deciens Capital, as they dive into the ever-evolving world of fintech. They discuss the rise and regulatory challenges of stablecoins, envisioning Bitcoin as the future's foundational currency. The conversation also touches on the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the significance of support systems, and the ever-growing role of AI in shaping the industry. Perfect for anyone intrigued by the future of finance!

Junta Nakai, Global VP at Databricks, dives into how technology is reshaping global finance. He shares insights on the transformative power of AI and cloud services for major financial institutions, emphasizing Databricks' vital role in managing complex data. Junta discusses his journey from Wall Street to tech, highlighting the importance of adaptability and soft skills in an evolving workforce. He predicts a thriving decade for banks and an even more rewarding experience for bank customers, illustrating the shift toward data-driven personalization in finance.

Alex Hagerup is the CEO and co-founder of Vic.ai, focusing on AI innovations in accounting, while Chris Sluty co-founded FloQast to transform compliance reporting in finance. They discuss how AI is reshaping accounting, tackling challenges like ERP integration and the evolving role of the CFO. The duo highlights the need for tailored tech solutions, the importance of real-time data, and the cultural shift toward AI in finance. They also share personal anecdotes and insights on lesser-known AI innovations that could revolutionize the fintech landscape.

Christina Cacioppo, Co-Founder & CEO of Vanta, shares her inspiring journey from tech enthusiasm to leading a compliance-focused startup that skyrocketed to $100M ARR. She dives into how Vanta helps companies streamline compliance while also enhancing security and revenue growth. Christina emphasizes the importance of rapid shipping in tech, the friendly collaboration with auditors, and the unique company culture symbolized by a llama. Along the way, she offers advice for founders navigating hypergrowth and discusses the impact of AI on their operations.

Sumant Shringari, CEO of Pontus, and Sandeep Sood, CEO of Kunai, share their expertise on automating back-office operations for large enterprises. They discuss the complexities banks face in automating regulated workflows and breaking down data silos. Hear how Pontus offers solutions like Automated Account Reconciliation and Predictive Budget Forecasting, aimed at reducing reliance on large teams. The conversation highlights the productivity paradox and advocates for pragmatic, agile approaches to automation that focus on real-world problems, enhancing efficiency and driving business value.

Join Will Lawrence, CEO of Greenlite, who specializes in AI for financial crime compliance, and Kurt Ruppel, CTO of Middesk, rethinking business customer identification. They discuss the evolution from manual checks to AI-driven solutions in fintech. The pair dives into the critical differences between KYB and KYC and the need for ongoing business monitoring. They also explore how AI is transforming compliance, navigating regulatory challenges, and uncovering new opportunities for innovation in fraud prevention.

Join Peter Hazlehurst, Co-Founder and CEO of Synctera, and Matt MacDonald from Wolf & Company as they dive into the evolving landscape of banking as a service. They discuss the partnership model between banks and fintechs, emphasizing compliance not as a hurdle but as a growth strategy. The conversation also sheds light on the importance of establishing strong compliance cultures in fintech startups and navigating the challenges of regulatory management. Founders will find invaluable insights on innovation, trust-building, and fostering successful banking relationships.

In this episode, we sit down with Lukas Haffer, CEO and Co-founder of Casca, and Ryan Hildebrand, Chief Innovation Officer at Bankwell, to explore how AI is transforming small business lending—starting with SBA loans. They discuss the challenges of building on top of legacy banking systems, the stress-test of the COVID-19 PPP era, and how a human-in-the-loop approach is key to deploying AI responsibly in financial services. You’ll hear how their partnership evolved from a small pilot into a full-stack platform that slashes loan processing times from 90 days to 3. We also dive into fraud prevention, the reality of deploying AI agents in banking, and why trust—not hype—is the foundation of true innovation.Thanks to Fundbox⁠ for sponsoring this week's episode. With over a decade of experience, ⁠Fundbox⁠ delivers customizable credit solutions including invoice financing, lines of credit, term loans, payroll protection, and more.