Fintech Takes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Hello, and welcome to Source of Truth, a new podcast miniseries from Fintech Takes, sponsored by our friends at SOLO. This series is about information asymmetry (which is *the* enemy in financial services — especially in lending).  Information asymmetry (the gap between what the customer knows and what the financial service provider knows) explains most inefficiencies. It’s the reason why qualified applicants get declined for loans or approved for loans at rates much higher than they should have to pay. And it’s the reason why borrowers and human underwriters spend a mind-numbing number of hours locating, aggregating, and verifying information. We’ve added APIs, alternative data, and automation. Yet, the core process of collecting and trusting information still looks much like it did decades ago. Why is that? And what can be done to reshape that process in a more fundamental way? These are the questions that Source of Truth will explore. In Episode 1, I’m joined by Georgina Merhom, Founder & CEO of SOLO.  Georgina, a data scientist by training, unpacks how lending data is collected, verified, and (too rarely) reused. Highlights include: What the old-school branch lending process got right that digital still misses Why banks still burn through $30B each year on manual collection despite APIs The difference between standardized inputs (useful) and standardized outputs (misleading) This opening episode tees up the larger theme of the series: building systems that don’t just capture truth but create trust.  Because when information can be reused and verified, lenders and borrowers stop starting from zero. Subscribe now and catch the rest of Source of Truth. This miniseries is brought to you by SOLO. SOLO resolves and connects customer data across silos — so teams stop rekeying the same customer info for the hundredth time and finally move forward. Break the cycle at SOLO.one - That’s SOLO dot o-n-e. Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Follow Georgina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginamerhom/ Learn more about SOLO here.

Bank Nerd Corner is back with Kiah Haslett returning … not just as co-host, but as an official member of Fintech Takes!  That’s right, big news: Bank Nerd Corner will soon be its own podcast feed, with Kiah hosting (and Alex dropping in monthly as a guest).  Kiah’s podcast launches this September alongside her new weekly newsletter, Fintech Takes Banking! If you’re listening to this episode, you basically asked for it (sign up at fintechtakes.com/banking/newsletter-subscription). Now, onto Bank Nerding!  First up,  the topic that's going to end up on my tombstone when I die: open banking.  We dig into the CFPB’s sudden flip on open banking. JPMorgan Chase tried charging for data access, the Bureau hit pause on litigation, and now an accelerated rulemaking process is underway. Will banks get the green light to price data, or did Chase just overplay its hand? Is this the beginning of monopoly pricing in disguise? Next, Kiah schools Alex (and the rest of us) on why crypto firms are suddenly obsessed with national trust charters (what they are, why they matter, and how they could function as narrow banks in disguise). Stablecoin reserves, custody rules, and OCC oversight are all on the table. And finally, the Palmer Luckey-backed digital bank Erebor enters the chat, promising to be the new Silicon Valley Bank for startups, crypto, and defense companies. Their pitch: political connections will fast-track their national bank charter with the OCC. But can political connections really expedite a de novo charter without wrecking regulators’ credibility? Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page.   Follow Kiah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaslett/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/khaslett   Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson