Wharton FinTech Podcast

In this episode, Wharton FinTech’s Abhi Chadha sits down with Michele Alt, Co-Founder of The Klaros Group and former OCC regulator, to unpack the evolving relationship between fintechs and the U.S. banking system. Michele shares her insights from two decades at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and her current work helping non-banks pursue bank charters. They discuss the shifting regulatory climate across administrations - from the OCC’s early fintech charter attempts, to the Biden-era freeze, and now a renewed openness under Trump 2.0. Michele explains the nuances of charter types like industrial loan companies (ILCs) and national trust banks. The conversation explores: - The history and future of fintech chartering - Differences among OCC, FDIC, and Fed oversight - How U.S. fintech regulation compares to Europe and the U.K. - Challenges foreign fintechs face when entering the U.S. market - How Michele’s OCC experience helps startups navigate complex regulatory processes Michele also shares her perspective on the cyclical nature of financial regulation - from deregulatory “sugar highs” to inevitable crackdowns - and offers advice for those eager to build a career in fintech regulation and compliance.

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, Jackson Ellis sits down with Sid Jayakumar, founder and CEO of FinsterAI. Sid shares his journey from a background in engineering to founding FinsterAI, a company redefining how financial professionals interact with data. The conversation dives into: - The vision behind Finster: an intelligent platform that leverages AI to streamline financial analysis, automate research, and improve decision-making - What differentiates Finster in a crowded AI and fintech landscape - How Finster enhances workflows for analysts and investors - The strategic challenges of scaling an AI-driven financial product - How Finster navigates the evolving regulatory environment for AI in finance and what the future holds for intelligent financial systems

In this episode of the Wharton FinTech Podcast, Bobby Ma sits down with Brian Kaas, President and Managing Director of TruStage Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of TruStage. Brian shares his experience founding TruStage Ventures and the work he and his team have done in the past decade bridging the gap between FinTech founders, credit unions, and the broader financial services industry culminating in $400 million in investments since 2016. We discuss: - The 140+ million member-strong credit union movement and services they provide to the community - The partnership and value add TruStage Ventures brings in working with its FinTech investments - Investment criteria and role the group plays in the broader TruStage organization - Outlook on how stablecoins and other emerging technologies are poised to disrupt the financial services industry - The success they have had investing in early-stage FinTechs through their Discovery Fund

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech podcast, Djavaneh sits down with Robbie Figueroa, co-founder and former COO of Maza, now Chief Business Officer at Flex following Maza and Flex’s merger in late 2024. Robbie shares how growing up in Queens with immigrant parents from Brazil and Ecuador inspired him to tackle financial exclusion. What started as a Spanish-first neobank for underbanked consumers evolved into a platform tailored to solopreneurs operating in the informal economy. From onboarding thousands of users to building ITIN application tools and automating entity formation, Maza met customers where they were, and grew alongside them. We discuss: How Maza identified and served Spanish-speaking solopreneurs Why distribution often beats product innovation in fintech The strategic fit between Maza and Flex and what’s next Robbie also shares hard-won advice for early-stage founders and reflects on what it takes to build products that truly resonate with underserved users. Whether you’re passionate about inclusive fintech, curious about startup pivots, or exploring founder-to-operator transitions, this episode is full of insight.

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, host Sabrina Fathi speaks with Ashwin Murthy, Chief of Staff and VP of Growth Operations and Strategy at Credit Karma, about how one of the most recognizable names in consumer fintech continues to evolve. Ashwin shares his journey from investment banking and consulting to leading strategy at Credit Karma. He discusses the company’s expansion from free credit scores to taxes, savings, and more, and how data, trust, and personalization have been critical to that journey. The conversation also dives deep into GenAI’s role in financial decision-making, Credit Karma’s evolving partnership with Intuit, and the future of financial access.

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with Ram Mahidhara, former Chief Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. Ram reflects on his decades of experience investing across emerging markets, driving inclusive growth through private capital, and championing the role of fintech in global development. Tune in to hear about: • How technology and private investment are reshaping financial inclusion in emerging economies • Lessons from leading cross-border investment strategies at scale • Ram’s perspective on the role of fintech in sustainable development and what’s next for innovation in underserved markets

Yoonkee Sull, General Partner at ICONIQ Growth, is a fintech veteran who has invested in major firms like Adyen and Chime. He discusses how startups can navigate and exploit legacy banks' weaknesses through innovative distribution and embedded finance. Yoonkee emphasizes the importance of understanding your customer and the evolving role of AI and blockchain in the industry. He shares insights on building lasting founder partnerships and distinguishes between sound unit economics and market hype, making this conversation a treasure trove for investors and founders alike.

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, host Sabrina Fathi chats with Seth Rosenberg, General Partner at Greylock, about what it takes to build and back enduring companies at the intersection of fintech and AI. Seth shares lessons from launching Facebook Messenger, insights on founder-market fit, and how great early-stage companies validate ideas, build defensibility, and navigate market shifts. With deep takes on AI, blockchain, and the future of financial services, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for builders and investors alike.

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with Anré Williams, Senior Executive Advisor at American Express and former CEO of American Express National Bank. Anré reflects on his 35-year journey at American Express—leading global merchant services, digital innovation, and banking operations—while offering an inside look at how to drive transformation in a legacy financial institution. Tune in to hear about: • Key lessons from leading large-scale digital initiatives in highly regulated environments • How to balance innovation with compliance and customer trust in a changing financial landscape • Anré’s perspective on the future of AI, embedded finance, and what it takes to build resilient, forward-looking financial services

Shensi Ding, co-founder and CEO of Merge, shares her expertise in B2B integration through a unified API platform. She discusses the essential role of developer empathy and thorough documentation as a competitive advantage. Shensi explores the founding dynamics with her co-founder, emphasizing teamwork and complementary skills. She also sheds light on the challenges of scaling within a crowded API market, fundraising hurdles, and the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly for Fortune 500 companies seeking integration solutions.