Breaking Banks

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, we feature our sister podcast, Social Currency, powered by Sunrise Banks. Social Currency introduces us to some of the most innovative changemakers in finance, technology, and social impact—leaders who are dismantling barriers and reshaping their industries for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Hosts Tyler Seydel, Chief Fintech Officer, and Eric Schurr, Chief Strategy Officer at Sunrise Banks, speak with those at the forefront of positive change through social entrepreneurship, unveiling the stories behind the revolution that’s propelling us toward a world where everyone has equitable access to opportunity. In this episode, Tyler and Eric connect with John Barbella, Founder and President of Neighborli—a network of financial institutions aligned to prevent and fight fraud in fintech. With over 30 years of experience in financial services, John shares insights on compliance, the evolving fraud landscape, and how banks and fintechs can collaborate to stay ahead. Tune in to learn how Neighborli is bridging the gap between financial institutions and fintechs to build a more secure and innovative digital banking future. Enjoy the episode, and check out other episodes of Social Currency at provoke.fm or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In This Episode Live from the main stage at American Banker’s Digital Banking 2025, this high-energy episode of Breaking Banks brings the regulatory heat. Host Jason Henrichs is joined by Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Dara Tarkowski (Actuate Law) for unfiltered, rapid-fire takes on the most urgent—and divisive—issues shaping digital finance regulation today. In a fintech twist on the classic ‘90s game FMK, the trio tackles which regulatory bodies to “love, leave, or reform”—from the CFPB and OCC to the NCUA and beyond. No topic is off-limits as they debate the shifting landscape around Section 1033, Open Banking implementation, UDAP enforcement, and the growing tensions between innovation and compliance. Plus: what do the STABLE Act, the GENIUS Act, and Stablecoin policy have in common? They all point to a regulatory future that’s as complex as it is critical to get right. This episode is not for the faint of heart, but essential listening for anyone working at the intersection of fintech, policy, and consumer protection.

In this insightful conversation, Muzaffar 'MK' Khokhar, the Founder & CEO of Unitey, and Karl Westvig, CEO of TymeBank South Africa, discuss the revolution in digital banking across Africa and its expansion into Asian markets. Karl shares how TymeBank has reached 80 million customers by focusing on financial inclusion for young, tech-savvy populations. MK dives into the evolving payments ecosystem, emphasizing the need for modern infrastructure in today’s fast-paced world. Together, they explore the transformative power of technology in shaping the future of global finance.

Barry Levett, CEO of Mypinpad and fintech innovator, joins Anton Gaylard, co-founder of Crossfin, to explore Africa’s burgeoning fintech scene. They discuss how mobile money is transforming financial services for 1.1 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Barry shares insights on the evolution of soft POS technology, while Anton highlights investment strategies focused on empowering founder-led businesses. Together, they reveal the agility of Africa's fintech ecosystem and its potential to reshape global financial landscapes.

In this discussion, Greg Palmer from Finnovate, a seasoned observer of fintech trends, dives into the fierce competition between traditional banks and agile fintech startups. They dissect the staggering profits of banks amid stagnation in loan growth versus faltering fintech funding. Topics like the regulatory challenges facing Banking as a Service (BaaS) and the potential of AI to reshape compliance and financial services take center stage. Palmer and the hosts confront predictions on the future of finance, urging a balance between innovation and customer needs.

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks host Brett King is joined by Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation. As Political Leader of the City of London Corporation, Chris acts as a principal spokesperson and advocate for London as a global financial and professional services capital. In the segment, Brett and Chris discuss The impact to date of the Trump presidency on the UK financial services sector. Wider US-UK relations and the City’s view of the prospect of a UK-US free trade deal especially in services and tech. How the UK is a global gateway for US companies to access capital and advice, and Ongoing work with the UK Government to create an investment hub (a concierge service) to make it easier to channel foreign investment into the UK economy, and ongoing conversations on regulatory reform Then, sister podcast, Finovate host Greg Palmer interviews Nick Evens, President and CEO of Curql. Nick shares his journey from working within credit unions to leading Curql, a strategic investment fund focused on credit union innovation. Curql invests in startups and fosters an ecosystem where over 130 credit unions collaborate and share resources, often co-investing in companies that serve both banks and credit unions. Born from a need to support credit unions in staying competitive with big banks by pooling resources to invest in transformative financial technology, Curql bridges a gap between fintech and credit unions, helping credit unions gain access to tech solutions they otherwise couldn’t afford on their own. More on the topic at FinovateSpring.

Dave Birch, a renowned speaker and author in digital identity and money, dives deep into the future of AI-driven payments. He discusses the concept of KYA (Know-your-Agent), crucial for identifying agents with payment authority. The conversation highlights the challenges of financial systems adapting to autonomous technologies and explores the potential legal personhood of AI, enabling them to have wallets. Birch also touches upon the impact of automation on work, money, and societal values, envisioning a transformative financial landscape by 2050.

Join industry experts Kia Haslett, a contributor from Bank Director; Alex Johnson from Fintech Takes; and Chris Nichols of South State Bank as they discuss hot topics live from the Alloy Labs Summit. They dive into navigating complex banking regulations post-SVB collapse and explore the shifting dynamics between fintechs and traditional banks. Expect lively debates on economic uncertainties, the need for strategic decision-making, and how risk management plays a pivotal role in today's financial landscape, all sprinkled with humor and candid insights.

In This Episode It is 2014, and Breaking Banks host Jason Henrichs is having coffee with Nektarios Liolios, an early leader in financial services innovation. Jason is in London—the uncontested fintech capital of the world at the time—sitting in the shadow of the Tower of London, seeking advice during what feels like the wreckage of his life post-Perkstreet.Nektarios, today’s guest, was on a journey of his own. He joined SWIFT, the global payments messaging service, in 2007 and held various roles, from working with funds to collaborating with startups. He had recently left to co-found Startup Boot Camp Fintech and Rainmaking Innovation, a corporate innovation studio. He stepped away from both five years later for a period of reflection—which you’ll hear about—before co-founding another fintech venture, Radish Credit, which recently wound down. Along the way, he’s gathered an abundance of hard-earned wisdom. For those unfamiliar with Killing It, the name comes from a private joke between Jason and his Perkstreet co-founder. When asked how things were going, they would say, “We’re killing it,” then mutter under their breath, “like putting a knife in it.” Perkstreet, founded in 2008, was one of the first neobanks and one that crash-landed when an acquisition fell through. Listen in as Jason and Nektarios continue the candid conversation they began years ago. Breaking Banks’ Killing It series isn’t just about startup failures; it’s about transitions and changes in identity. It’s about founders who sell successfully, only to see their dream owned by someone else. It’s about entrepreneurs who step away or are forced to. Killing It is about the journey of reinvention. This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship from a seasoned fintech founder, ecosystem builder, and mental health advocate.

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, Don Ginsel, host of our sister show Breaking Banks Europe, takes our mic and brings the conversation stateside. Don is joined by Nik Milanović, founder of This Week in Fintech, for a wide-ranging and energizing discussion of the latest forces shaping the fintech landscape. From the evolving role of traditional banks and increasing interest in stablecoins to the current state of fintech M&A, the rise of fraud, and the impact of AI on financial services, Don and Nik cover the topics on everyone’s mind. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or financial exec, this overview of the trends, risks, and opportunities is not to be missed.