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, 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.
Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 37min
S8 E12: The Future of Loan Servicing (Live from the Salt Flats)
In this engaging discussion, Jeff Yim, CFO of Borrowell, offers insights into navigating the Canadian credit landscape. He highlights the importance of stellar onboarding and customer service amidst rising mortgage rates. The conversation delves into proactive loan servicing strategies that foster customer loyalty and create cross-selling opportunities. Additionally, topics include the evolution of flexible payment solutions and innovative approaches to personal lending, showcasing how tailored experiences can transform borrower relationships.
8 snips
Sep 19, 2024 • 58min
What Customers Want: Fintech’s Complicated Relationship with Customer Service
Corey Besaw, President of APAC and a co-founder of Ubiquity, dives into the customer service complexities in fintech. He discusses how fintechs often prioritize self-service over human interaction, despite the importance of trust in financial transactions. The hidden costs of customer service, the challenges of scaling with fragmented tech stacks, and the necessity of balancing automation with a human touch are key points. Besaw emphasizes that younger customers value personal communication more than assumed, highlighting the emotional connection needed in financial services.
Sep 18, 2024 • 1h
S8 E11: Not Fintech Investment Advice: 1: Agree, Revenew, Barq, and in Loving Memory of Tally
Explore the innovative world of fintech as the hosts spotlight Agree, which merges legal agreements and payments using AI. Discover Revenew, an all-in-one payment optimizer for platforms, and learn about Barq, a rapidly growing digital wallet in Saudi Arabia. The discussion also touches on the rise and fall of Tally, a fintech struggling with credit card debt solutions. Dive into the complexities of market dynamics and the future of collaborative data infrastructure in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
12 snips
Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 28min
S8 E10: Bank Nerd Corner: Why "FBO" is Out & Fintech Custody Accounts Are In, Rate Cut Buzz, and the FDIC’s New Rule
Kiah Haslett, Banking and Fintech Editor at Bank Director, joins to discuss pivotal changes in the financial landscape. She highlights the shift from 'FBO' accounts to the more transparent 'Fintech Custody Accounts.' The conversation delves into the excitement surrounding potential rate cuts and their implications for mortgage rates and commercial real estate. Additionally, Kiah examines the FDIC's new rule on fintech ledger controls, bringing transparency into focus, while discussing the OCC's shift towards prioritizing financial health in banks.
6 snips
Sep 4, 2024 • 57min
S8 E9: Fintech Recap: Klarna’s “Balance” vs. Banking, Affirm's Resilience, and Niche Neobanks Refuse to Die
Jason Mikula, a fintech expert, joins to discuss emerging trends in the industry. They dive into Klarna’s new ‘Balance’ feature, revealing it as more of a wallet than true banking in the U.S. Affirm's resilience is highlighted as they navigate the BNPL landscape with steady growth. The conversation also touches on niche neobanks like Commune, focusing on their unique offerings for underserved immigrant populations. Finally, Apple’s decision to give third-party access to NFC technology has significant implications for the mobile payment ecosystem.
8 snips
Aug 28, 2024 • 54min
S8 E8: Money Talks: What do Gen Z and Boomers Hear?
Join fintech storyteller Mary Wisniewski, Editor-at-Large at Cornerstone Advisors, as she shares her insights on the financial habits of Gen Z. Discover how this generation is more anxious and transparent about money than ever before, heavily influenced by social media pressures. The discussion shifts to the rising emphasis on fintech solutions for the elderly, highlighting innovative tools aimed at preventing fraud and fostering security. Wisniewski also tackles the evolving nature of consumer trust in fintech and the need for personalized support across generations.
Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 7min
S8 E7: Not Fintech Investment Advice: Revenir, Summer, Jeff, and Axle
The guests discuss groundbreaking fintech innovations, including Revenir's automation for recovering sales tax, making refunds easier for travelers. Summer talks about helping graduates manage student loans and the challenges of distribution via HR. Jeff shares insights on expanding credit access for the underbanked using non-traditional data, potentially establishing a new credit standard. Lastly, Axle highlights its AI-powered compliance solutions and the importance of educating clients about new technologies in the evolving regulatory landscape.
6 snips
Aug 15, 2024 • 37min
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 6min
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.
