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
Nov 5, 2025 • 28min
Fintech Recap: AI, Stablecoins, and Live Money20/20 Energy!
Live from Money20/20, the buzz around AI takes center stage as industry leaders discuss practical use cases for agentic AI in compliance. Stablecoins are hot topics too, especially in cross-border payments for inflation-hit economies. A glance at the flood of comments on open banking reveals banks wrestling with cost recovery while smaller institutions seek support. Meanwhile, the rapid rise of Erebor Bank raises eyebrows about possible political influence in new banking charters. Plus, debates around crypto lobbying stir up controversy!
13 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 58min
Fintech Takes x Fundbox presents Engineering the SMB Capital Stack Episode 1: The State of SMB Lending
Prashant Fuloria, CEO of Fundbox and an expert in small-business lending, dives into the current landscape of SMB credit. He discusses stark trends from the Federal Reserve's findings, revealing that many SMBs are struggling to thrive. Rising costs and shifting borrower behaviors are impacting lending dynamics. Prashant also explores how embedded finance is reshaping lending practices, the challenges standalone lenders face, and the importance of aligning banks and fintechs for sustainable growth. This insightful talk is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of SMB capital.
Oct 29, 2025 • 56min
Risk, Rules, and the Gaps in Open Banking
Join Steve Smith, co-founder and CEO of Invela with a rich background in open banking; Todd Taylor, a legal expert in technology transactions; and Dan Murphy, a former CFPB program manager, as they dissect the critical but often overlooked issues of risk and liability in data sharing. They explore why banks cling to outdated guidelines, the tension between consumer protection and regulation, and the pressing need for standardized accreditation. Their insights spark a discussion on how to navigate the evolving landscape of open banking.
11 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 45min
Fintech Takes x Pipe Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts Episode 6: Scaling Up
Dara Buckley, Founder and CEO of Increase, previously an early employee at Stripe, dives into the intricacies of scaling vertical SaaS companies. He discusses the delicate balance between specialization and growing into adjacent markets while emphasizing how real-time AI monitoring can transform financial oversight. The conversation includes insights on how tailored products can empower small businesses, the importance of transparency in banking, and the evolving roles within the fintech ecosystem. Buckley highlights staying close to users as a key to avoiding stagnation.
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 10min
The Launch of Facing Credit
Kevin Moss, a seasoned senior advisor at Baselayer and former CRO, shares his insights into the evolving landscape of lending. He discusses the recent shifts in student loans, where repayment data is finally impacting credit scores and borrowers face significant wage garnishments. Kevin also dives into the implications of open banking, highlighting cost recovery and the Chase-Plaid deal. Lastly, he analyzes the competitive landscape of mortgage credit scoring, marking a pivotal moment for lenders as FICO’s monopoly begins to crumble.
Oct 20, 2025 • 43min
Fintech Takes x Pipe presents Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts Episode 5: Go To Market
Lacey Ford, CMO at ABC Fitness, shares her expertise in go-to-market strategies for vertical SaaS in the fitness sector. She highlights how gyms and studios are evolving into community hubs driven by Gen Z. Lacey describes distinct buyer behaviors across fitness segments and emphasizes the deep, personal connections operators have with customers. She illustrates how essential retention strategies are for growth, and discusses the role of AI in enhancing customer engagement and personalization. Her insights pave the way for actionable benchmarks in the fitness industry.
Oct 15, 2025 • 59min
Not Fintech Investment Advice: EtherFi, Lunos AI, Circuit & Chisel, & Figure
Simon Taylor, a fintech commentator and author of Fintech Brain Food, dives into groundbreaking innovations. He introduces EtherFi Cash, a DeFi-native credit card that allows users to earn interest while borrowing. Lunos AI automates accounts receivable with smart negotiation capabilities, foreshadowing a future of self-driving finances. Circuit & Chisel’s XTP protocol enables AI agents to pay each other, revolutionizing software use. Finally, Taylor discusses Figure's blockchain lending, driving tokenization momentum in the finance industry.
Oct 13, 2025 • 50min
Fintech Takes x Pipe presents Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts Episode 4: Build, Buy, or Partner?
A.J. Axelrod, VP of Payments & Financial Services at Clio, dives into the unique challenges of legal fintech. He discusses Clio's evolution from integrations to a comprehensive payments system tailored for lawyers. A.J. highlights the critical importance of compliance and trust accounts in legal payments, and how Clio balances building versus partnering. They explore contextual fintech solutions and the advantages of maintaining a distinct ledger. The conversation is packed with practical insights for navigating the complexities of vertical SaaS in finance.
Oct 8, 2025 • 34min
Fintech Takes: Gambling is the Biggest Threat to Consumers’ Financial Health
Gambling is increasingly threatening consumers' financial health, with platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase crossing into betting territory. The rise of Speculation-as-a-Service poses risks to traditional banking models, as gambling undermines savings and investments. Innovative saving strategies, such as Prize-Linked Savings Accounts, show potential, but there's concern over future backlash against exploitative gambling practices. As the competition heats up, banks must adapt to protect their customers' financial well-being amidst a landscape of blurring lines between finance and betting.
Oct 6, 2025 • 57min
Fintech Takes x Pipe presents Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts Episode 3: Fintech Strategy
Ethan Senturia, President of Housecall Pro and a former Chief Fintech Officer, shares insights on the evolution of embedded finance in vertical SaaS. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer segmentation beyond industry and company size. Ethan reveals how payments serve as a crucial entry point for building trust, paving the way for more complex financial features. He also discusses leveraging first-party data to enhance product offerings and anticipates how AI could revolutionize the fintech landscape for home service pros.
