Fintech Business Podcast

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.

This month Alex Johnson and I had the chance to talk about:* Jason’s special news: I wrote a book! The book, Banking as a Service: Opportunities, Challenges and Risks of New Banking Business Models, will be available toward the end of the year — but you can preorder now, and if you order directly from the publisher here and use promo code “BAASISLAND,” you get 20% off!* Pirates invade BaaS island: Evolve Bank & Trust, partner to dozens of fintech programs, hacked by Russian ransomware group LockBit* Elsewhere in BaaS news: Thread’s consent order* Apple drops Apple Pay Later, will partner with issuers and BNPL firms instead* Chevron decision drops (disclosure: neither Alex nor Jason are lawyers)* and, as always, what Alex and Jason just can’t let go of Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

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.

The podcast features John Stuart, GM at Apex Fintech Solutions, discussing the company's capabilities in custody, clearing, and execution worldwide. They explore Apex's evolution over 10+ years, novel use cases for their infrastructure, and how they scaled across 150 countries. Additionally, they touch on advancements in robo advising, stock rewards in fintech loyalty programs, and the impact of Apex's technology on the investment landscape.

Alex Johnson, creator of Fintech Takes newsletter, discusses Synapse's bankruptcy impact on BaaS & fintech, Visa's new 'crebit' credential, CFPB's buy now, pay later guidance, and ongoing finhealth topics with host.

Neepa Patel, CEO of Themis, discusses misconceptions fintech people have about regulators, selecting bank partners, and the role of tech in banking-as-a-service platforms. Themis offers a user-friendly compliance platform for financial institutions and fintechs, focusing on collaboration, risk management, and centralized workflows. The podcast explores challenges in communication, compliance, growth, early control implementation, BSA and AML issues, vendor management, and regulatory implications in the fintech landscape.

This month Alex and I had the chance to talk about:* “BaaS Island” is heating up: Synapse files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with TabaPay slated to acquire its assets, and Solid settles its dispute with its former investors, FTV.* Is 2024 going to be the year of “pay by bank”? Alex and I aren’t entirely convinced.* A federal earned wage access bill is in the works (but unlikely to pass anytime soon).* VC darling BloomTech’s CFPB consent order.* 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