Fintech Business Podcast

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with an OG of fintech who really needs no introduction, cofounder and CEO of Affirm and PayPal Mafia member Max Levchin. Max and I had the chance to discuss:* How Affirm designs its systems and processes to mitigate third-party risks, including service interruptions and, yes, data breaches* How Affirm thinks about selecting its bank partners and how it works with them to meet regulatory and compliance expectations* To what extent political and regulatory uncertainty impacts how Affirm approaches running its business* The CFPB’s interpretive rule that treats pay-in-four buy now pay later as a “credit card” for certain purposes under TILA Reg Z* Affirm’s recent earnings announcement* And Affirm’s recent launch in the United KingdomExisting subscriber? Please consider supporting this newsletter by upgrading to a paid subscription. New here? Subscribe to get Fintech Business Weekly each Sunday: Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

Sankaet Pathak, co-founder and former CEO of the fintech company Synapse, sheds light on the bankruptcy situation and its impact on depositors. He discusses the cease and desist from Evolve regarding his sharing of financial reports. Pathak provides insights into the discrepancies between Evolve's records and Synapse's reconciliations. He highlights efforts to recover lost funds and emphasizes the need for collective action among affected users. This conversation dives deep into accountability challenges and the complexities of financial management during crises.

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with James Doherty, the Head of Business Development for Financial Services at Sinch, the customer communication cloud platform that includes mobile messaging, voice, email and other emerging channel capabilities. We had the chance to discuss:* Financial services’ key “jobs to be done” via communications channels, including acquisition, engagement, retention, and fraud prevention* The importance of flexibility in communications strategy, including being able to meet customers where they are, whether that’s SMS, email, or emerging communications channels* Challenges in managing communications strategy, including privacy regulation* The role of conversational AI in customer communications strategy* And more!Existing subscriber? Please consider supporting this newsletter by upgrading to a paid subscription. New here? Subscribe to get Fintech Business Weekly each Sunday: Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Michael Nicklas, Managing Partner at Valor Capital Group, a Brazil-based cross-border venture fund. Valor’s fintech and crypto portfolio companies include cross-border payment and trade finance network Hamsa, crypto exchanges Bitso and Coinbase, and stablecoin infrastructure company Circle, among many others. Michael and I had the chance to talk about:* Unique aspects of Latin American that shape the market for financial services* The role the Brazilian central bank plays in fostering progress and innovation in financial services in the country (yes, that includes Pix)* What Valor means when it describes its investing strategy as being “cross border”* How Valor takes into account evolving geopolitical risks as it considers its investing approach* And more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

Kelly A. Brown, Chairman and CEO of the deposit management startup Ampersand, dives into the intricacies of banking in light of recent challenges. She discusses the surge in interest around deposit insurance post-SVB collapse and clarifies common misconceptions about coverage. Kelly highlights optimal strategies for deposit aggregation and emphasizes the importance of proper account titling to ensure full FDIC protection. Her insights also address the complexities faced by municipalities and the vital role of fintech partnerships in navigating these challenges.

Frank Rotman from QED and Jason Henrichs of Alloy Labs dive into the impact of the low-interest rate environment on fintech and venture capital. They discuss how evolving regulations are reshaping banks' risk strategies while navigating a complex landscape. The conversation touches on upcoming trends and the importance of aligning growth with sustainable practices. They also examine startup valuation misconceptions and the critical need for resilient business models amidst increased regulatory scrutiny. It's a must-listen for fintech enthusiasts looking to understand the balancing act of growth and risk.

Wade Arnold, CEO of Moov, discusses Fintech Devcon, US payment infrastructure, lessons from Synapse bankruptcy, and optimism in fintech. Topics include political donation processing, challenges in FinTech, developments in payment space, and Moov's role in financial services.

Rhett Roberts, cofounder and CEO of LoanPro, leads an API-first lending revolution that empowers major fintech players. He discusses the exciting partnership with Visa DPS, transforming debit to credit processing and enhancing service offerings. Rhett shares insights on navigating compliance challenges while fostering innovation, emphasizing the importance of adaptability. The conversation also dives into crafting personalized financial products that boost customer loyalty, showcasing how LoanPro stays ahead of evolving regulations while driving growth in the lending space.

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Stuart Sopp, CEO and cofounder of Current. Stuart and I had the chance to talk about:* What’s change in fintech and banking since the last time we talked in 2023 (hint: a lot)* Current’s new products and features, including its credit builder card and an EWA-style offering* The challenges of state-by-state licensing and importance of compliance* Balancing the need for growth with profitable unit economics* What’s on the road map for Current* and more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

Nicolas Benady, CEO of Swan, a leading French embedded finance platform, shares insights from Money2020 Europe. He discusses the unique advantages of banking-as-a-service in Europe compared to the U.S. and the significance of being licensed as an e-money institution. Nicolas highlights how Swan effectively oversees its third-party partners and showcases diverse clients, ranging from neobanks to software companies integrating financial services. He emphasizes the importance of compliance and innovative partnerships in transforming the fintech landscape.