American Banker Podcast

M&A editor Paul Davis explores the practical and political implications of the proposed merger between BB&T and SunTrust.

Steve Boms, executive director of the Financial Data and Technology Association, says standards should be developed for U.S. banks and fintechs to follow in open banking.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped a provision that would have required payday lenders to assess potential borrowers’ ability to repay. American Banker reporter Kate Berry explains why.

Bankers sometimes object to experimental zones for fintechs, complaining they are shielded from regulations that banks have to follow. But Brian Knight at George Mason University says fintechs will be held accountable for any legal violations that occur in sandboxes — and banks can use sandboxes, too.

Amercans are living longer yet retiring earlier and saving less, explains Matt Fellowes, CEO and founder of United Income, which provides financial apps for people over 50. But there's no need to panic, because people curb their spending as they age. Financial providers can offer a hopeful message.  

Its early days yet, but decentralized apps will democratize finance, says Andrew Keys, cofounder of ConsenSys Capital, the venture capital arm of ConsenSys.

Rich Baich, the chief information security officer at Wells Fargo and newly appointed security advisor to the White House, shares some of the attack types he’s worried about and the security defenses he’s stepping up for the coming year.  

Jason Brown explains how and why his company, Tally, helps consumers by paying their monthly balances, providing automated debt-relief advice and offering a lower-rate credit line.

Michael Hanley, who acted as head of digital for the World Economic Forum the last eight years, and Anthony Thomson, the creator of Atom Bank who is building a new challenger bank, 86400, in Australia, share their thoughts on how banks can shape an agenda for the future.

Schwark Satyovolu, original co-founder of Yodlee and general partner of venture capital firm Trinity Ventures, shares his opinion on how open banking and sharing of consumer data is evolving in the U.S.