Converge

In this episode, FX and Macro Analyst George Vessey discusses the current macroeconomic landscape, focusing on inflation, tariffs, and their impact on markets.He highlights the persistent inflationary pressures, the evolving trade tensions under Trump's policies, and the implications for the US dollar..We also cover the volatility in markets due to these factors and provides insights into the Fed's stance on interest rates, concluding with key takeaways for investors.Chapters00:00 Inflation and Market Volatility03:12 Trade Tensions and Tariff Impacts05:56 The Strength of the Dollar10:00 Key Takeaways and Market OutlookDisclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, we sat down with Soups Ranjan, the co-founder and CEO of AI risk management platform, Sardine, to chat about the evolution of fraud prevention technologies in the AI era. We touch on the importance of partnerships in the fintech space, and the challenges posed by AI in fraud detection - including how Sardine uses AI to detect deepfakes and improve identity verification.Soups' shares his belief in the need for a culture of transparency and vulnerability among businesses in sharing information about fraud incidents, and how Sardine's information-sharing consortium, Sonar, is closing the gap between banks and fintechs to combat fraud more effectively. We also cover the significance of real-time payments and the role of data in managing risk effectively.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sardine and Recent Developments02:58 Partnerships and Collaborative Strategies05:57 Adapting to AI Threats in Fraud Prevention08:52 The Limitations of Reimbursement in Fraud Cases11:59 Sardine X: Enhancing Information Sharing14:46 Creating a Culture of Transparency in Fraud Prevention18:04 Addressing the Visibility Gap in Embedded Finance20:49 Real-Time Payments and Fraud Detection24:02 Data as the Core of Risk Management26:47 Looking Ahead: The Future of Fintech in 2025Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Is the U.S. recession still on the horizon, or has resilience pushed it further out? Can Europe’s economy surprise to the upside despite the gloom? How will inflation data shape central bank policies in the coming months?This week, we break down the February Global FXOutlook and the market’s reaction to Trump 2.0. From the initial USD rally post-election to its sharp pullback on tariff uncertainties, we analyze key FX moves across the euro, pound, and Aussie dollar. Tune in for the latest from Convera Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

LatAM is a hotbed for fintech innovation, and Colombia - LatAm’s 4th largest economy - occupies a unique position in global commerce. In this episode, we sat down with Christian Guevara Téllez and Luis Felipe Aparicio of Colombian brokerage firm, Acciones y Valores S.A., to discuss the cross-border payment landscape in Colombia. We touch on the unique regulatory challenges faced in Colombia, the importance of serving SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) in the economy, and how Acciones y Valores is leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance payment processes, and how Colombian businesses are looking forward and embracing the seismic changes in the cross-border payments industry.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

The global bond sell-off continues to reverberate through markets, US economic resilience has dampened Fed rate cut bets, equities are falling, the dollar is surging and UK assets, including the pound, are tumbling – welcome to 2025.After a fairly turbulent 12 months, people are wondering what 2025 may hold in store. It’s that time where it’s not uncommon to see calls by analysts for the year ahead becoming obsolete. Join UK FX Analyst George Vessey as he breaks down this week's macroeconomic news with a focus on the GBP.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

To kick of a new year of Converge conversations, we sat down with Hal Ramakers, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions at Brightwell, to discuss the evolution of Brightwell from its origins in maritime payroll for the cruise line industry to its current role in providing cutting-edge cross-border payment solutions. We cover the challenges faced in global payroll solutions, the importance of leading with a great user experience, the evolution of Brightwell's ReadyRemit and Latitude solutions, the need for cultural adaptability in payment solutions, and the ever-evolving future of cross-border payments, including the role of new rails such as blockchain and crypto assets' potential in supporting global liquidity at scale in always-on economy.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, Convera Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley, discusses the significant market reactions following the 2024 US election, the impact of tariffs on foreign exchange markets, macroeconomic trends including interest rate cuts, and the outlook for 2025 amidst geopolitical tensions. We explore how the election results influenced investor sentiment, the implications of tariff discussions on various currencies, and the overall economic landscape as we look forward to the new year.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

At Money2020 USA, we sat down with Margaret Weichert, Chief Product Officer at The Clearing House, and Peter Tapling, Managing Director of PTap Advisory, to discuss the transformative potential of instant payment applications. We covered: The evolution of payment systems and how new technologies like tokenization are being leveraged to create seamless financial transactions The challenges and opportunities of integrating these technologies within the current financial landscape The specifics of industry adoption hurdles How instant payments can solve real-world problems How instant payments are shaping customer experiences, and what this means for businesses and consumers alikeDisclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

What could a centralized authority, or 'fraud czar', do to combat the growing complexities of fraud in the global financial sector? We sat down with an expert panel at Money2020 to explore this question by looking at the various types of fraud at play, including synthetic identities and the evolving tactics of fraudsters, particularly in the context of new technologies. The group highlighted the challenges of coordinating responses across different sectors and the importance of understanding the enablers of fraud. They also closely examined international models that could inspire effective fraud prevention strategies in the U.S.Don't miss our chat with Karen Boyer, SVP and Director Fraud Intelligence with M&T Bank, David Maimon, Head of Fraud Insights with SentiLink and Natalie Loebner, owner of Loebner Consulting.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

At Money2020 USA, we sat down with two experts to discuss the evolving landscape of risk management and hedging strategies in the modern enterprise, particularly in the context of geopolitical instability and emerging markets like Africa. David Renta, Global Head of Hedging at Convera and Benjamin Fernandez, CEO and founder of African payments fintech, Nala, share insights on navigating these challenges, emphasizing the importance of developing strategic plans, understanding local dynamics, and maintaining profitability. We also address the regulatory hurdles that add complexity to building an effective hedging strategy, and the need for tailored solutions in diverse markets, particularly in Africa.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.