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 13, 2024 • 1h 30min
S9 E7: Bank Nerd Corner: CFPB, All Day, Every Day
Evan Weinberger, Bloomberg Law’s banking and fintech regulatory correspondent, joins the discussion on the latest in fintech regulation. They tackle the complex tug-of-war between traditional banks and fintechs over tighter regulations. The conversation highlights recent CFPB actions revealing cracks in fintech-bank partnerships and the vagueness of the Bank Service Company Act. With humor, they share memorable moments from CFPB history, while emphasizing the critical need for clearer guidelines to protect consumers in this evolving landscape.
Nov 6, 2024 • 29min
S9 E6: Money20/20, 2024: BaaS and Open Banking and AI (Oh My!)
In a lively discussion, Jason Henrichs, CEO of Alloy Labs and co-host of the Breaking Banks podcast, shares insights from the recent Money20/20 event. He delves into the transformative role of bank-fintech partnerships and the newly finalized 1033 rule, which has sparked significant debate. The conversation also tackles the reality check on AI hype as the industry shifts focus to regulation and compliance. Jason emphasizes the need for clear standards to empower smaller fintechs amidst evolving dynamics in open banking and the broader fintech landscape.
Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 19min
S9 E5: The CFPB, Cash + Culture Party Podcast (Live from MX's Money Experience Summit)
In this lively discussion, Ashwin Vasan and Kelvin Chen, both former CFPB experts, dive into the challenges of financial regulations and the fight for customer experience in banking. Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, emphasizes intentional money management over quick fintech solutions. Lastly, Ryan Caldwell, CEO of MX, passionately shares how company culture drives success, urging leaders to foster a positive environment. Together, they unravel the intricacies of modern finance while advocating for transparency, innovation, and empowerment.
Oct 23, 2024 • 1h 9min
S9 E4: Trust is a Two-way Street
Nina Mohanty, Founder and CEO of Bloom Money, talks about first-party fraud and its rise, sparked by trends like the "infinite money glitch" on TikTok. She highlights how the surge in fintech usage during the pandemic led to increased disputes and fraud, often overlooked by many companies chasing growth. The conversation delves into balancing consumer protection and accountability, exploring the ethical dilemmas faced by the industry and the complexities that threaten trust in financial services. A must-listen for anyone interested in fintech ethics!
8 snips
Oct 16, 2024 • 56min
S9 E3: Not Fintech Investment Advice: Kato, FlowX, Mesa, and Cavela—AI is Devouring Fintech
Explore how AI is redefining customer service with voice agents that eliminate IVR frustration. Discover FlowX.AI's role in automating banking processes. Dive into Mesa, a credit card for homeowners that rewards essential payments, and the challenges it faces. Finally, learn about Cavela's AI-driven approach to cutting procurement costs by 40%. Join the conversation on the balance between AI innovation and human oversight in financial services, and the need for clear strategies in this evolving landscape.
Oct 10, 2024 • 60min
What Customers Want: The AI Concierge Revolution & What’s Next for Fintech CX
Corey Besaw, co-founder of Ubiquity, joins Aditi Shekar, CEO of Zeta, and AI engineer Mike Forsyth to discuss the AI concierge revolution in fintech. They delve into Zeta's unique approach, combining generative AI with human support to enhance customer service and ease financial stress. The conversation highlights how AI can handle substantial customer inquiries, enabling human agents to tackle more complex problems. They also explore the delicate balance between automation and compliance, emphasizing the future of personalized and proactive financial interactions.
Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 19min
S9 E2: Bank Nerd Corner: Compliance, Complexity, and the Gray Areas of Fintech
Kiah Haslett, Banking and Fintech Editor at Bank Director, shares her sharp insights on the latest FDIC proposed rule affecting custodial accounts. She debates whether smaller banks need different standards in the Banking-as-a-Service realm, emphasizing that size doesn't equate to complexity. Kiah critiques recent fintech ecosystem standards and calls out Mercury's compliance claims as a facade. Plus, she tackles tough questions on the definition of bank service companies and the nature of financial innovations like Buy Now, Pay Later. Compliance is more than just a trend—it's essential.
7 snips
Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 3min
What Customers Want: Navigating the Tension Between Innovation and Regulation
Ahon Sarkar, SVP & GM at Helix, shares insights on the delicate balance between fintech innovation and regulatory demands. He discusses how banks and fintechs collaborate to enhance customer service while navigating compliance challenges. Ahon emphasizes the importance of selecting the right sponsor bank and the need for operational rigor. He also highlights the value of customer feedback in shaping products and ensuring regulatory adherence. By fostering trust and communication, fintechs can thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
4 snips
Oct 2, 2024 • 53min
S9 E1: Fintech Recap: The New FDIC Rule, Visa's Antitrust Fight, and Open Banking's Next Steps
Jason Mikula, Head of Industry Strategy for Banking & Fintech at Taktile, joins to discuss critical updates in fintech. They delve into the newly proposed FDIC rule on custodial accounts, debating its effectiveness in crisis prevention. The conversation shifts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's upcoming rules on open banking, questioning the fairness of big banks. Additionally, the duo explores Visa's antitrust lawsuit and highlights compliance failures related to TD Bank, all while keeping the dialogue light and insightful!
Sep 26, 2024 • 44min
What Customers Want: Scaling Fintech Customer Service
Marcus Vinson, Chime’s first full-time fraud manager, dives into the challenges of scaling customer support in fintech during explosive growth. He shares insights on balancing in-house teams with outsourced partnerships to maintain quality. Vinson emphasizes the urgency of investing in data-driven fraud detection as scams increase, particularly first-party fraud. He discusses the importance of structured systems and clear metrics to navigate constant change and ensure effective customer service.
