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
6 snips
Aug 15, 2024 • 36min
Examining the Vicious Lifecycle of Fintech (ft. The Consumer Finance Podcast)
Chris Willis and Jesse Silverman from Troutman Pepper join the discussion to unravel the intricate lifecycle of fintech. They dive into why new fintech VCs pop up every few years, analyzing the technological waves influencing this pattern. The conversation explores the balance between innovation and security, addressing the existential risks fintech faces today. They also touch on enhancing regulations and openness to support diverse operators in the sector, aiming for a better future in bank-fintech partnerships.
Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 5min
S8 E6: Bank Nerd Corner: What is the BSCA and What Can It Do?
In this episode, Jim Bergin, a seasoned partner at Arnold & Porter with nearly two decades at the Federal Reserve, dives into the intriguing world of banking regulations. He clarifies the origins and evolution of the Bank Service Company Act (BSCA) since the 1960s. The trio also tackles recent Supreme Court decisions and their potential ramifications for banks and fintechs. Kiah shares her thoughts on brokered deposits, questioning why the FDIC is still focused on classifying fintech deposits rather than adapting to modern financial behaviors.
10 snips
Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 16min
S8 E5: Fintech Recap: The BaaS Multiverse of Madness, the CFPB’s New Earned Wage Access Rule, and a Brief Conversation on Brokered Deposits
Jason Mikula, a fintech industry expert, dives deep into the evolving BaaS landscape, humorously comparing it to a fractured multiverse. He and Alex discuss Mercury's unconventional compliance strategies and the implications of recent Federal requests regarding bank partnerships. They also explore the CFPB’s proposed rule on earned wage access, shedding light on consumer trust issues, and touch on the FDIC’s changes to brokered deposit regulations. It's a captivating mix of insights and humor that highlights the complexities of fintech today.
18 snips
Jul 31, 2024 • 56min
S8 E4: Fintech F*cks Around and Finds Out
Jason Henrichs, CEO of Alloy Labs and host of Breaking Banks, dives into the complexities of fintech regulation and accountability. He explores the idea that banks should view consent orders as opportunities, not hurdles. The conversation raises questions about the personal responsibility of entrepreneurs and investors when ventures fail, highlighting the need for robust compliance. They tackle the contrasts between resilience and hubris among entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of adapting to regulatory challenges for a healthier financial ecosystem.
14 snips
Jul 24, 2024 • 54min
S8 E3: Not Fintech Investment Advice: Niva, OatFi, Tapi, and Aven
Discover the latest fintech innovations with Niva's AI-driven business identity platform, OatFi providing Lending-as-a-Service solutions, Tapi revolutionizing payments in Latin America, and Aven's debt refinancing strategies. Join Alex and Simon as they explore the challenges of data sharing in fintech and manifest new ideas in the industry.
10 snips
Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 6min
S8 E2: Bank Nerd Corner: What Are Shadow Banks?
Assistant professor Todd Phillips discusses shadow banking, risks, Synapse bankruptcy, bank supervision challenges, regulator/bank dynamics, and CFPB efficiency in an engaging breakdown.
11 snips
Jul 10, 2024 • 1h 4min
S8 E1: Fintech Recap: Evolve’s Massive Data Breach, Apple’s Bizarre Announcement, and Klarna Replaces Its Staff with AI
Author Jason Mikula discusses his new book 'Banking as a Service' and Evolve's data breach. They dive into Apple's strategy shift, regulatory risks, and Klarna replacing staff with AI, while also touching on the overturning of the Chevron Doctrine.
7 snips
Jul 3, 2024 • 45min
BONUS EPISODE: Terry Angelos on Visa’s Latest Announcements and the Future of Payments
Former Visa fintech executive Terry Angelos discusses Visa's latest advancements in payments, including Flexible Credentials and passkeys. They explore future trends in pay-by-bank, data token opt-ins, and the impact on the banking infrastructure. The conversation highlights the potential transformation of online payments and the integration of biometric authentication for a seamless user experience.
13 snips
Jun 26, 2024 • 58min
S7 E12: How Payment Insurance Enhances Consumer Financial Health
Danielle Sesko, Director of Product Management at TruStage, discusses the importance of payment insurance in lending to enhance financial health. Topics include safeguarding borrowers, digital lending, consumer financial struggles, and the revolutionizing impact of embedded payment insurance on the lending industry.
10 snips
Jun 20, 2024 • 48min
S7 E11: Not Fintech Investment Advice: Frich, Constellation, daloopa and Block
On this podcast, they discuss Frich's wealth benchmarking app for Gen Z, Constellation's workflow improvement app, daloopa's AI for spreadsheets, and Jack Dorsey's Block. They consider if Block is still profitable with Apple Wallet's dominance and discuss the challenges of merging ecosystems like Square and Cash App.
