Fintech Takes
Alex Johnson
Fintech moves fast. But here at Fintech Takes, Alex Johnson and his rotating panel of guests move faster so that you can stay on top of the latest and greatest news in the industry without breaking a sweat. Welcome to Fintech Takes—the place where fintech’s biggest nerds come to sit back, relax, and completely geek out.Join Alex and a lineup of fintech’s brightest minds as they dissect what’s happening in fintech and banking. Each week, Alex and his guests recap the most interesting developments in fintech and explore the industry’s most pressing questions, diving headfirst into the intricate workings of some of the industry’s most ground-breaking business models and unpacking the emerging players that promise to shape fintech’s future.From riveting conversations with fintech’s most relevant operators to comprehensive recaps of the month's most compelling news stories and in-depth analyses of the latest regulatory developments, Fintech Takes is your one-stop-shop for navigating the fintech universe.Subscribe now to join fintech’s nerdiest podcast around!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 26, 2025 • 44min
Fintech Takes x Nova Credit Presents Cash Flow Conversations Episode 2: Experimenting With (and Scaling Up the Use of) Cash Flow Data
Join Anand Bhushan, PayPal's Global Head of Credit, and Nikki Cross from Nova Credit as they explore the revolutionary use of cash flow data in lending. They discuss how PayPal crafted a business case for integrating cash flow insights, finding extraordinary consumer uptake and real-time underwriting success. The duo dives into the innovative experiments designed to minimize risks, tackle privacy issues, and the future potential of cash flow data across various products. Their insights reveal valuable strategies for scaling in the financial landscape.
Sep 26, 2025 • 36min
Fintech Takes x Nova Credit Presents Cash Flow Conversations Episode 1: How Do Credit Risk Executives Think About Cash Flow Data?
Chris McCall, Head of Consumer Credit and Pricing at Citizens Bank, discusses innovative cash flow datasets in retail banking. Bill Garber, SVP of Credit Policy at Navy Federal, shares insights on integrating cash flow data with credit risk management. Munish Pahwa, Chief Risk Officer at Sallie Mae, highlights the importance of cash flow signals for thin-file borrowers. Together, they explore the transformative impact of cash flow data on lending models, borrower experiences, and the challenges of ensuring compliance and accuracy in a dynamic economy.
Sep 24, 2025 • 54min
Startup Truths and Reality Checks
David Roos, Partner at Core Innovation Capital and a fintech investor focused on financial inclusion, shares invaluable insights on navigating today's venture landscape. He discusses the shift in investor dynamics since the 2021 boom, emphasizing the battle for customer data control in the age of open banking. Roos reveals how AI is transforming startup operations, enabling smaller teams to achieve more with less. He highlights the importance of founder traits and the competitive edge of aligning mission-driven goals with financial success.
13 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 56min
Fintech Takes x Pipe presents Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts Episode 1: A Crash Course in vSaaS
In this engaging discussion, Luke Voiles, CEO of Pipe and former leader of small-business fintech at Intuit and Square, dives deep into the world of vertical SaaS. He shares his journey through credit investing and outlines how vSaaS platforms are revolutionizing embedded finance by integrating capital seamlessly into workflows. Luke explains the growth dynamics of these platforms, highlighting the massive market opportunity driven by sole proprietors. The conversation also touches on the challenges banks face with micro-merchants and the future of automated underwriting.
13 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 58min
Not Fintech Investment Advice: Welcome Tech, Bumper, Scalar Field, & Structify
Join Simon Taylor, an author and now part of Tempo, as he dives into fascinating fintech innovations. They discuss Welcome Tech, a digital platform for immigrants, emphasizing its role in providing essential services. The convo shifts to Bumper, a UK startup revolutionizing car repairs with BNPL, tapping into a growing consumer need. They also explore Scalar Field, an AI-driven trading tool that enhances real-time strategies for traders. Expect insightful commentary and a glimpse into how fintech is reshaping finance for diverse populations.
Sep 12, 2025 • 45min
Fintech Takes x SOLO Presents Source of Truth Episode 4: Wave a Magic Wand
Eric Woodward, CEO of FinatIQ and former Group President at Early Warning, dives into the world of financial data in this engaging discussion. He explores the complexities of data sharing among banks and fintech companies, advocating for competition and clearer consumer policies. The conversation unveils the challenges and potential of open banking while emphasizing the need for consumer control and a better data-sharing framework. Discover how a new model could reshape the financial ecosystem, ensuring all players, especially consumers, benefit from improved access and transparency.
9 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 8min
Fintech Takes x SOLO Presents Source of Truth Episode 3: Hard Lessons Learned from the Trenches
Join Luke Voiles, CEO of Pipe, Rob Frohwein, co-founder of Kabbage, Jill Sheckman, former Global Chief Credit Risk Officer at PayPal, and Brian Hamilton, president of Coastal, as they share gripping tales from the frontlines of fintech. They discuss the critical importance of accurate data in lending, the challenges of scaling businesses in a regulated environment, and the ongoing struggles with adverse selection and trust in data. Their hard-won lessons offer valuable insights into the future of lending and the vital need for innovation in financial services.
8 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 31min
Bank Nerd Corner: OCC vs. States, NBA Moneyball, and Tokenized Deposits
Kiah Haslett, the author behind the Fintech Takes Banking newsletter, dives deep into the tussle between big banks and state regulators over a unified rulebook. The conversation highlights a surprising Fintech fraud tied to NBA star Kawhi Leonard, alongside the complications of mortgage fraud investigations within the Fed. Kiah also discusses the potential benefits and pitfalls of tokenized deposits on blockchain, questioning if they truly enhance banking or simply pave the way for more scams. It's a lively mix of finance and fraud!
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 12min
Fintech Recap: Open Banking, BaaS Island, and GENIUS Act Updates
Delve into the complexities of open banking as new regulations open old wounds about data access and privacy. Discover the fallout from Synapse's bankruptcy and what it means for distressed investors eyeing new opportunities. We uncover the implications of the GENIUS Act, which sets the stage for stablecoins but also presents potential pitfalls. Lastly, explore the intriguing intersection of finance and speculation, where prediction markets and SPACs challenge traditional norms. Buckle up for a whirlwind tour of fintech's latest drama!
10 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 57min
Fintech Takes x SOLO Presents Source of Truth Episode 2: Context is King
In this discussion, Martin Kleinbard, Founder of Granular Fintech and author of a pivotal research report, delves into the evolution of credit scoring since FICO's rise in 1995. He critiques the overreliance on credit scores, emphasizing how this can replace nuanced judgment in lending. Kleinbard highlights the importance of cash flow and product risk, revealing insights into today's lending landscape. He also addresses second-order risks and the impact of innovative finance models, reiterating that understanding context is essential for responsible lending.
