Fintech Business Podcast

In this episode, I had the chance to talk with Hummingbird cofounder and CEO Joe Robinson about the AI-powered compliance platform’s latest product news. Joe and I had the chance to discuss:* The launch of Hummingbird’s new customer screening and transaction monitoring capabilities* How financial institutions can move beyond disparate platforms and siloed data to more effectively mitigate financial crime risk* The explosion of “AI” everything, how Hummingbird actually uses artificial intelligence, and what Hummingbird’s AI-powered capabilities empower its customers to do* The importance of being able to adapt quickly in today’s ever-changing regulatory and threat environment* And more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Alex and I discussed:* Open banking’s do over: parsing the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking* Rescue ships head for BaaS Island, but what precedent does the first-ever fintech bail out set?* The GENIUS Act, legislation to regulate and license permitted payment stablecoin issuers, is already the law of the land. Why are bank trade groups pushing back now?* And, as always, what Alex and I just can’t let go of. Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Alex Johnson and I discussed:* The revelation that JPMorgan Chase intends to begin charging third-parties, including aggregators like Plaid and MX, to access consumers’ data rocked the U.S. fintech landscape last week. Alex and I unpacked what it could mean.* Since we recorded this last week, a group trade associations, including the Financial Technology Association and the American Fintech Council, sent a letter to President Trump, essentially asking him to reconsider the CFPB’s position to abandon defense of the rule (I covered this on Sunday here.)* In a surprising turn of events, the CFPB filed a motion in the challenge brought against the rule by a small Kentucky bank, the Kentucky Bankers Association, and the Bank Policy Institute, asking the court to pause the proceedings.* The CFPB said it will undertake a new open banking rulemaking and expects to release an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking within the next three weeks, kicking off an “accelerated” rulemaking process. Stay tuned for Sunday, where I’ll unpack the latest developments and what they mean for open banking.* GENIUS is law: what’s next for stablecoin issuers, banks, custodians, and consumers?* And, as always, what Alex and I just can’t let go of. Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Alex Johnson of Fintech Takes and I discuss:* FICO launches new scores that incorporate pay-in-four buy now, pay later data. But will it make a difference?* The CFPB files a statement of interest in the Synapse bankruptcy, potentially setting up a backdoor bailout to make out-of-pocket depositors whole. Does it set a bad precedent?* A brief word on crypto mortgages.* And, as always, what Alex and I just can’t let go of. Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this engaging discussion, Mary Kay Bowman, Executive Vice President at BILL, shares her extensive experience in fintech, having held pivotal roles at Amazon and Square. She explores BILL's transformation into a comprehensive financial operations platform, and why checks remain surprisingly popular in businesses today. The conversation also tackles the ongoing battle against payment fraud and the innovative possibilities AI brings to streamline transactions. Additionally, she highlights the crucial balance between user experience and the needs of both payers and payees in the evolving payments landscape.

In this episode, I had the chance to talk with Luke Voiles, CEO of embedded financing platform Pipe. Luke and I had the chance to discuss:* How Pipe has evolved over time* The kinds of platforms Pipe partners with* Pipe’s embedded card capabilities* Pipe’s relationship with its bank partner* And more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the chance to talk with Trent Sorbe, Chief Payments Officer at First International Bank & Trust. Trent and I had the chance to discuss:* The different waves of bank-fintech partnerships and the popping of the BaaS bubble* What some investors and bankers got wrong about the first wave of BaaS* What’s different about First International Bank & Trust’s payments platform, Kotapay, and banking-as-a-service platform, Kavinu* Kavinu’s first customer: online savings marketplace Raisin* And more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

Arad Levertov, cofounder and CEO of Sunbit, shares his insights from a decade in the fintech realm. He explains how Sunbit stands out in the crowded buy now, pay later market with unique underwriting methods that approve 9 out of 10 applicants. Arad discusses the importance of distribution in lending and how Sunbit adapts to macroeconomic shifts. He also highlights their zero-percent financing options and innovative operations connecting 26,000 merchants to personalize finance solutions, aiming for inclusivity and a better customer experience.

Alex Johnson, writer of the Fintech Takes newsletter, and Jesse Silverman, counsel at Troutman Pepper with a rich background in consumer finance and banking law, delve into the complexities surrounding the recent Synapse bankruptcy. They discuss accountability and recent regulatory responses, pointing fingers at key players while also reflecting on lessons for banks, fintechs, and regulators. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for improved regulatory frameworks and transparency to navigate the evolving landscape of consumer banking and protect stakeholders.

Michele Alt, cofounder and managing director of Klaros Group, brings over 22 years of experience from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. She dives into the opportunities presented by the opening of the "charter window" for fintechs, explaining when it makes sense to acquire a bank versus starting a de novo. Michele also discusses her work on SmartBiz's acquisition of Centrust Bank and shares insights on the evolving regulatory landscape in Washington that could impact the financial sector. Her expertise sheds light on the future of fintech and banking.