Breaking Banks

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.

Join Brett King as he chats with Nick Hughes, the father of M-Pesa and a pioneer in mobile money, and Jo Ann Barefoot, a fintech regulation expert. They delve into the fascinating origins of M-Pesa and its profound cultural impact in Kenya. The discussion shifts to the intersection of fintech innovation and regulation, highlighting how collaboration can drive financial inclusion. They also explore the potential of fintech in tackling global challenges, including climate change and carbon markets, emphasizing a future where technology serves society's needs.

In This Episode Killing It is back! Jason Henrichs’ series on banking and fintech entrepreneurs returns with Cokie Hasiotis In this episode of Breaking Banks, Jason Henrichs connects with Cokie, serial entrepreneur and exited founder of Twali and drippi. Cokie candidly shares her entrepreneurial journey, providing insights into the emotional challenges and tolls inherent in entrepreneurship, and the stress of pivoting business. She also reflects on how these experiences have shaped her, underscoring the significance of community, the importance of self-awareness and filtering advice from others. Tune in to hear more about identity as a founder, navigating loss, soft landings, and transitioning to new opportunities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar6NpEoUw4Y

Samer Saab, SVP of Product for Alloy Labs, discusses innovative partnerships between banks and startups. The conversation highlights the rise of mobile money and how it reshapes economies. They dive into the impact of digital identity on secure transactions and the concept of Q-Day for future cybersecurity. Discussions on smart contracts and agentic AI reveal how technology transforms financial services, while a sneak peek at Brett's upcoming book hints at what’s next in fintech. A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of finance!

In This Episode There’s something happening beneath the surface of every pizza order, every childcare payment, and every invoice sent by businesses across America. A quiet revolution that most people— sometimes even business owners themselves— have barely noticed. Traditional banks are being methodically extracted from the daily financial lives of businesses, replaced by something more streamlined, more embedded, as banking becomes just another node in a business operating system. We dug into those threats last episode on “The Invisible Heist”. This week, Jorge Garcia, Founder and CEO of Linker Finance, and Samer Saab, SVP of Product for Alloy Labs, join host JP Nicols and co-host Barb MacLean as we look at some viable options for banks to foil the heist and create a competitive response. We’ll look at the surprising opportunities sitting right in front of us, and how banks are rewriting the playbook to land and expand commercial customers through digital banking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX2D6ZE2DdM

In This Episode Banking executives, your business customers aren’t leaving you for another bank—they’re leaving banking altogether— at least partially. For now. As a part of our “Unbreak the Bank” series we dissect the most significant existential threat to community financial institutions since the 2008 crisis: the systematic extraction of business banking services into everyday business software. Community banks are hemorrhaging 12-18% of operational deposits annually to companies that don’t even consider themselves “banks”, and they’re moving upmarket. The competitive battlefield has shifted, and “relationship banking” is not enough to compete. Customers are integrating business solutions into their daily workflow, and banks risks being shut out altogether. Discover why the future isn’t about being the best business bank – it’s about being a relevant layer in the best business experience. Fintech Takes founder Alex Johnson and Velocita founder Barb MacLean join host JP Nicols to reveal how embedded lending is systematically dismantling banking relationships as Quickbooks, Square, Toast, and others integrate financial services directly into business workflows, and explore some options for how banks can respond.  https://youtu.be/FV5wUyhng6c?si=KpsHDtG0V4rRXSWt