Fintech Takes

In this episode, Alex chats with Tim Bates, Principal at Efficient Frontier Risk Strategies, about his groundbreaking (forthcoming) report on cash flow underwriting—“Credit Risk Underwriting: A Practical Credit Risk Implementation Guide for Lenders”—which Alex is excited to announce is the first episode in a new Fintech Takes series featuring research reports by experts in the broader FT network. Here’s the big question: can traditional credit underwriting, built on static snapshots of income and assets, actually keep up with shifting cash flow today? Can a single point-in-time really predict someone’s ability to repay debt, or is it time for a rethink?Open banking and real-time cash flow data promises to transform lending by offering a more accurate, dynamic view of a borrower’s financial health. But what does that mean for risk management, financial inclusion, and the future of credit?And, will this innovation mark the dawn of a new era in lending…or get stuck in the “wait-and-see” limbo? Tune in for a lively chat about the future of lending and why cash flow underwriting might just be the stray puzzle piece we’ve been waiting for.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 Tim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbates2/Follow Alex: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnsonTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

Welcome back to Not Fintech Investment Advice, where Simon Taylor and I bounce through fintech companies that have recently caught our eye.We’re kicking off with Dakota, a Brex-Wise hybrid for SMBs, offering 24/7 global payments with a stablecoin twist. Deposits, stored as stablecoins, earn up to 4% yield and are issued by Dakota, raising questions about custody, resolution, and well…what happens if Dakota goes belly up? Instant, global payments without banking hours are perfect for cross-border businesses, but proceed with curiosity and caution when it comes to deposit safety.Next up: ampersand, a post-SVB startup transforming deposit management. They optimize large cash deposits across banks for safety, rates, and values (focusing on FDIC insurance, top rates, and ethical alignment). Unlike, say, IntraFi, ampersand targets companies directly–not just banks–especially mid-sized ones lacking treasury teams. But post-SVB, why do uninsured deposits even exist? Banks may hesitate, but company demand is there; ampersand’s timing couldn’t be better.Then there’s Auquan, which automates deep work in financial services—think credit memos, deal screening, and investment committee prep—in minutes. They’re not just making flashy demos; they’re delivering real results as vouched for by clients like MetLife and UBS. While most Gen AI tools overpromise, it seems like Auquan actually delivers consistent and quality results. And in capital markets—where grunt work once built expertise—AI like Auquan could be a real disruptor.And finally, TymeBank is shaking things up for emerging-market neobanking. With 15M+ customers in South Africa and the Philippines, they’ve snagged a $250M Series D led by Nubank, securing a 10% stake. Think franchise neobanking—proven model, local twist. Nubank expands strategically, while TymeBank taps into its scaling expertise. This is modern fintech, not the old HSBC playbook.Plus, who’s stepping up to lead supervisory tech? Let’s fix government inefficiency—no need to cut agencies, just make them work smarter (not smaller) to break up our banking bottleneck.00:02:45 - Dakota00:18:11 - ampersand00:30:25 - Auquan00:41:34 - TymeBank00:52:21 - Manifesting Fintech Ideas 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 Simon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sytaylor/Substack: https://sytaylor.substack.com Follow Alex: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnsonTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_JohnsonCompanies featured:https://dakota.xyz/https://trustampersand.com/https://www.auquan.com/https://www.tymebank.co.za/

The CFPB has launched a significant lawsuit against major banks and Zelle for alleged fraud protection failures, raising questions about consumer safety and accountability. Legal cases are causing a stir in regulatory agencies, leading to potential shifts in banking rules. The discussion also touches on the challenges of transparency in digital banking, with fine print complicating liability. Additionally, bold predictions for 2025 include possible mergers and the prospect of fintechs obtaining bank charters, suggesting a transformative year ahead.

Join Jason Mikula, a fintech expert and author of Banking as a Service, as he dives into the latest in fintech trends. He discusses the recent legal battle involving CBW Bank and the implications for BaaS amid hefty FDIC penalties. Jason also highlights the anticipated wave of IPOs in 2025, especially focusing on Chime's impressive customer base. The conversation raises ethical concerns about Walmart's financial practices affecting employees and the need for stronger oversight in employer-sponsored fintech solutions. Tune in for an engaging peek into the future of financial technology!

This discussion features Amias Gerety, a partner at QED Investors and former Obama administration official, diving into whether financial advice is best served by humans or AI. They tackle the high cost of human advisors and the industry's sales-driven model. Amias shares insights on the evolution of robo-advisors and large language models, suggesting that while AI isn't ready to fully replace seasoned advisors yet, it holds promise for delivering unbiased financial guidance. The conversation also uncovers the need for regulatory frameworks to maximize AI's impact in finance.

Welcome to Bank Nerd Corner! This week, we’re making history. Our first-ever returning guest, Julie Hill—now Dean of the University of Wyoming College of Law—is back with Kiah and Alex to tackle a hot topic: reputation risk.Is it the boogeyman of compliance, or a real force shaping banking decisions?Here’s the puzzle we’re unknotting:• When regulators say "reputation risk," do they mean actual threats to a bank's stability—or is it a way of saying, “Don’t do anything dumb”?• Can bad press really sink a bank, or are customers too sticky to care? (Looking at you, Wells Fargo.)• And why is the Supreme Court questioning whether this so-called "risk" even exists?Plus, we explore debanking—the practice where banks cut ties with customers. Is it actually about managing risk or…just controlling the narrative?Join us as we dig into the data, decode the headlines, and ask the uncomfortable questions regulators and banks wish we wouldn’t 😏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 Julie:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hill-15929821/ Follow Kiah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaslett/Twitter: https://twitter.com/khaslett Follow Alex: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnsonTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

Dive into bold predictions for fintech in 2025, where AI is set to transform traditional banking and enhance customer experiences. The conversation tackles the complexities of financial regulations and their impact on markets. It highlights risks in private credit and the alarming rise of payment fraud. Notably, the potential of decentralized finance and stable coins take center stage, with a forecast of significant asset movement. The discussion emphasizes the need for innovative solutions and learning from global trends to navigate this evolving landscape.

Jason Mikula, a regular fintech commentator, joins to discuss the shifting landscape with Trump back in power. They explore the impact on fintech regulation and the ambiguity surrounding depositors' balances on BaaS Island. The conversation highlights the CFPB’s new Larger Participant Rule, scrutinizing major payment players while potentially overlooking riskier firms. Finally, they dive into the chaotic world of meme coins and the miscommunication surrounding crypto regulations, raising eyebrows at Mark Andreessen's controversial remarks.

Rahul Shah, who leads core product at Marqeta, dives into the thriving world of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. He discusses how BNPL has become a standard for younger consumers, expanding beyond trendy items to everyday purchases. With millions lacking traditional credit, BNPL fills a crucial gap. The conversation also explores the potential impacts on traditional credit structures. As BNPL flourishes, will it promote financial health or lead to consumer overextension? Tune in for insights on the future of payment flexibility.

Simon Taylor, a fintech expert with a knack for analyzing industry trends, joins the discussion. They dive into Paydock's innovative approach to modernizing bank tech without upheaval. Bluespine's AI-driven self-insurance solution for large employers highlights a crucial industry clash between productivity and cost-cutting. Taylor also covers Astrada's 'bring your own card' service, reshaping how platforms offer financial perks while fostering partnerships with major players like Citibank and Brex, setting the stage for future fintech evolution.