Purpose Driven FinTech

FinTech LaTam is booming; but it's not just just about digital transformation - we have the power to transform the region, but to do so, we must do a paradigm shift and focus on infinite adaptation and human-centered innovation.In this episode, I speak with Maria and Ray from FinTech Americas, who share powerful insights about LaTam, building trust in financial services, driving true financial inclusion, and fostering innovation that puts people first. And of course, they reveal why LaTam's unique challenges require a paradigm shift from traditional transformation to continuous adaptation.🔑 Key Highlights:Why trust remains the foundation of financial services innovationHow COVID accelerated digital adoption but created new challengesThe critical balance between technological efficiency and human connectionWhy Latin America needs "infinite adaptation" rather than linear transformationThe role of collaboration between banks and fintechs in driving meaningful changeFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Maria & Ray:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialmancuso/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayruga/Website: https://www.fintechamericas.co/en/👉 Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] Introduction to FinTech Americas' mission[00:02:04] Key challenges in Latin American financial services[00:04:32] Building trust in digital financial services[00:07:34] Banking fundamentals and regulatory challenges[00:09:33] Bank-FinTech collaboration benefits[00:12:30] The infinite adaptation paradigm[00:15:14] Power of peer-to-peer learning at conferences[00:16:06] Human-centered financial inclusion[00:18:09] Balancing technology with humanity[00:20:51] FinTech Americas 2025 event details[00:22:27] FemTech and leadership initiatives[00:24:15] Networking and innovation opportunitiesSEARCH QUESTIONS:How to build trust in financial services in Latin America?What is the future of banking in Latin America?How are fintechs collaborating with banks in LATAM?What is infinite adaptation in financial services?How to drive financial inclusion in Latin America?Why do people not trust digital banking in LATAM?What is the unbanked population in Latin America?How did COVID impact digital banking adoption?What are the biggest challenges for FinTech in LATAM?How to balance technology and human touch in banking?What is the role of conferences in financial innovation?How to create human-centered financial products?What is the state of digital transformation in LATAM banks?How are banks and fintechs working together?How to build trust in digital financial services?What is the future of financial inclusion in LATAM?How to drive innovation in traditional banks?What are the key fintech trends in Latin America?How to succeed in Latin American fintech market?What makes FinTech Americas different from other conferences?#FinTechLatAm #FinancialInclusion #DigitalTransformation #BankingInnovation #FutureOfFinanceDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

We live in a world where marketing acquisition budgets are tight and we have a ton of pressure to deliver growth! - as a result content marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy for FinTech growth. In this episode, I speak with Araminta Robertson, Founder of Mint Studios, and we answer the big question: How to leverage content marketing effectively in the FinTech space?Araminta brings deep expertise in content strategy and SEO and shares insights on building effective content strategies that drive measurable results and explains why bottom-of-funnel content is becoming increasingly crucial in the age of AI.We explore how content can bridge the financial education gap, the strategic approach to SEO in an AI-driven world, and the balance between brand awareness and lead generation. We also discuss the challenges of creating technical content that resonates with B2B audiences and the importance of authentic expertise in content creation.🔑 Key Highlights:The shift from paid acquisition to content marketing as budgets tightenWhy bottom-of-funnel content is crucial for driving measurable resultsHow AI is changing SEO and content strategy in 2025The importance of technical expertise in FinTech content creationWhy customer obsession should drive content strategy👉 Follow Araminta:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aramintarobertson/Website: https://www.mintcopywritingstudios.com/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] The challenge of FinTech growth with tight budgets[00:01:19] How content democratizes financial knowledge[00:07:23] Content marketing ROI and measuring success[00:13:52] B2B FinTech content challenges[00:17:28] Introduction to Mint Studios and FinTech Marketing Hub[00:20:05] Building an effective content strategy[00:25:54] The impact of AI on SEO[00:33:26] In-house vs. agency content creation[00:37:00] Finding quality FinTech writers[00:41:24] Content distribution strategies[00:44:11] Building customer-centric FinTech businessesSEARCH QUESTIONSWhat is the future of FinTech content marketing in 2025?How to measure content marketing ROI in FinTech?What is bottom-of-funnel content in FinTech?How is AI changing SEO for FinTech companies?Should FinTechs build in-house content teams or hire agencies?What makes effective B2B FinTech content?How to create technical content that converts?What is the best content distribution strategy for FinTechs?How to balance brand awareness vs lead generation in FinTech?What skills do FinTech content writers need?How to create content with limited marketing budget?What is the impact of AI on FinTech content strategy?How to measure content marketing success in FinTech?What are the best SEO strategies for FinTech companies?How to create authentic FinTech thought leadership?What content formats work best for B2B FinTech?How to stand out in FinTech content marketing?What is the role of technical expertise in FinTech content?How to build a scalable content strategy for FinTech?What are the common FinTech content marketing mistakes?#FinTechMarketing #ContentStrategy #B2BFinTech #FinTechGrowth #ContentROIDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

We all wonder how to incorporate AI into our workflows! Soo I've recorded as special episode on AI in FinTech Product Development! Join me with Jas Shah, founder of Bitsul, and 3rd time guest in the show as we dive deep into how AI can streamline innovation and create more purpose-driven fintechs. We take a very practical approach so you'll learn frameworks for implementing AI, from automating admin tasks to enhancing customer research, and discover how to build sustainable, customer-centric solutions that create lasting valueIf you enjoy this Purpose Driven FinTech pod, please subscribe in YouTube, follow in Spotify, and leave a 5 star rating apple podcast. Remember to connect in LinkedIn to keep the conversation going.Let’s get into it!👉 You can find Jas hereLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jas-shah/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitsul/Website: https://bitsul.co.uk/👉 And you can find Monica here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://moni-millares.mystrikingly.com/We cover: [00:00] AI as a catalyst for customer impact[03:05] Purpose-driven FinTech with AI[06:01] Incorporating AI in product development[10:06] Practical AI tools for product teams[14:00] Crafting effective AI prompts[21:42] Using AI for customer research[29:16] Building AI-powered solutions[32:34] Cost considerations and ROI[38:38] Common mistakes to avoid[41:48] Ethical considerations in AI[45:54] Future of open banking[50:00] Key changes for sustainable AISEARCH QUESTIONSHow to implement AI in FinTech products?What are the best AI tools for product development?How to use AI for customer research in FinTech?Is AI replacing product managers?How to measure AI ROI in FinTech?What are common AI implementation mistakes in FinTech?How to build cost-effective AI solutions?Should FinTechs build or buy AI capabilities?How to create AI-powered customer experiences?What is the future of AI in banking?How to use ChatGPT for product development?What are the best practices for AI in FinTech?How to automate product management tasks with AI?What are the risks of AI in financial services?How to build ethical AI products in FinTech?How to use AI for product innovation?What is the impact of AI on product teams?How to create AI strategy for FinTech?How to scale AI solutions in FinTech?How to balance AI automation with human touch?DISCLAIMERDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The AI revolution in FinTech is happening faster than you think! This week I speak with Pawel to explore how AI is transforming financial services and what it means for product leaders.From beating competitors with limited resources to preparing for a future where your customers might be AI copilots - this episode is packed with actionable insights for FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve.Discover:Why the AI transformation will happen 20x faster than the industrial revolutionHow to identify high-impact AI use cases with limited resourcesReal examples of cross-industry innovation that drove ROI in monthsThe secret to building sustainable, purpose-driven AI productsWhy your 2030 customer might not be human (and how to prepare)Perfect for FinTech leaders, product managers, and innovation teams looking to create lasting impact in an AI-first world.👉 Follow Pawel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawelstezycki/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/We cover: [00:00:00] The biggest fear in FinTech today[02:49:00] Building purpose-driven AI solutions[05:17:00] How AI enables better financial habits[08:00:00] Historical perspective: From printing press to AI[13:32:00] Framework for identifying AI use cases[16:10:00] Cross-industry innovation success stories[22:06:00] The human factor in AI transformation[25:21:00] AI-powered learning revolution[29:25:00] Ethics and trust in AI solutions[32:29:00] Your 2030 customer isn't human[36:30:00] Preparing for the bot economy[39:31:00] Building sustainable AI-powered businessesSEARCH QUESTIONSHow fast are competitors copying FinTech features in 2025?How to build purpose-driven AI products in FinTech?How can AI improve financial habits?How long will AI transformation take compared to other revolutions?What are the best AI use cases for FinTech?How to innovate with AI on a limited budget?Will AI replace jobs in FinTech?How to use AI for financial education?How to ensure AI solutions are trustworthy?What will FinTech customers look like in 2030?How to prepare for AI copilots in banking?How to build sustainable AI products?What is the ROI of AI in FinTech?How to test AI solutions quickly?How to find AI innovation opportunities?How to build an AI-ready culture?How to make complex financial information engaging with AI?What are the risks of AI in FinTech?How will AI change banking services?What regulations affect AI in FinTech?#FinTechInnovation #AIStrategy #ProductLeadership #FutureOfFinance #PurposeDrivenTechDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

DORA is here and if you are a FinTech in Europe you MUST listen to this conversation!  DORA is the Digital Operational Resilience Act that is effective from 17th Jan, 2025; and will affect all FinTech partners – yes it’s a biggy one; potentially bigger than GDPR!In this pod I speak with Wayne Scott, Regulatory Compliance Solutions Lead at Escode.  Wayne brings his extensive global regulatory expertise and breaks down why this new European regulation is a game-changer for FinTechs worldwide - and why we should be paying attention NOW.🔑 Key Highlights on DORA:DORA goes into effect January 17th, affecting 15,000+ financial institutions and 7-8,000 fintechsUnlike previous regulations, DORA extends to ALL critical suppliers and partners in the fintech ecosystemPotential fines could reach 2% of global revenue PER DAY for non-complianceThe regulation impacts any company providing services into Europe, regardless of their locationNot just about security - DORA focuses on operational resilience, supplier failure, and concentration riskWe discuss how regulation actually spurs innovation rather than stifling it, diving deep into the practical implications of Europe's new Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and its global ripple effects; explore the concept of operational contagion in our interconnected fintech ecosystem, and how businesses need to prepare for the AI revolution from a regulatory standpoint. We go wide and talk critical supply chain risk management, demystifying the process of identifying and protecting vital business infrastructure, and the future of global financial regulation in 2025 and beyond. We cover: [00:10:00] What is DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) explained in plain English[00:10:25] The scope: Affects 15,000 financial institutions and 7-8,000 fintechs[00:11:29] Why you can't argue your way out of DORA compliance[00:11:49] Understanding critical services - from cloud providers to core systems[00:15:10] The five key principles for DORA compliance checklist[00:30:22] Redefining Business Resilience - Beyond just "getting up and trying again"[00:31:43] The real meaning of resilience in fintech operations[00:35:03] Understanding Operational Contagion and its domino effects[00:36:20] Real-world example: How a single outage affected global operations[00:37:33] The Silicon Valley Bank case study - When operational fails trigger financial contagion[00:39:35] AI's impact on financial services regulation[00:41:00] How AI could make current tech companies obsolete[00:42:15] Managing the risks of rapid AI adoption in financial services[00:48:57] The regulatory roadmap for 2025 and beyond🚀 Your Action Items:Assign someone to own DORA complianceMap your critical suppliers and infrastructureDocument policies and proceduresTest scenario capabilities👉 Connect with Scott:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynethomasscott/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escodeglobal/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: https://www.escode.com/👉 Connect with Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The Metaverse isn't just a GenZ trend -- it's our chance to rebuild financial services with trust at the core! 🔥Join Victoria Richardson, David Birch and I as they share their findings from their book "Money in the Metaverse". We explore why identity infrastructure must be built differently this time, how native metaverse payments will transform commerce, what it really means to build safe spaces in virtual worlds, and what Gen Z is teaching us about virtual economies. Finally, Victoria and David reveal their framework for financial institutions to navigate this transformation: from establishing presence to creating entirely new products for virtual economies, and yup, they explain why it's not about building another app! 😎We cover: (00:00) The Future of the Metaverse: Beyond Commerce(06:13) Purpose Driven Innovation and the Human Element(15:30) Trust: The Foundation of Virtual Worlds(23:15) Digital Identity and Authentication(27:45) The Evolution from Virtual Worlds to Metaverse(33:20) Building Experiences vs Building Platforms(37:00) The Future of Payments and Digital Assets(40:15) Three-Stage Strategy for Financial Institutions(42:45) Risk Management and Training in Virtual Spaces(43:26) The Power of Shared Experiences(45:32) Building Trust Through Mutual Authentication👉Get their book "Money in the Metaverse" HERE👉 Connect with Victoria:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-richardson-40a48b6/👉 Connect with David:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgwbirch/Website: https://dgwbirch.com/👉 Connect with Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/Key Takeaways:1. The Metaverse PurposeIt's not just about new ways to buy - it's about human connectionWill create entirely new job categories and ways of workingSuccess depends on building safe, trusted spaces first2.Trust ArchitectureMutual authentication is critical (both users and companies need verification)Trust indicators should be built into the infrastructure (like color coding for verification status)Move from consumer-verified to system-verified trust3.Metaverse Strategy FrameworkStage 1: Establish PresenceStage 2: Enable Transactions Stage 3: Create Native Products4.On PaymentsKeep transactions within the metaverseUse tokenization for efficiencyFocus on seamless wallet experiences5.On Risk ManagementUse the metaverse for training and risk reductionConsider new types of risks in virtual spacesThink about liability and monetization modelsDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Are you feeling that growing pressure of becoming irrelevant in today's fast-paced FinTech landscape? In this episode, I'm going solo and I'm sharing my battle-tested career development framework - the exact approach that has helped me stay ahead in an industry where yesterday's innovations become tomorrow's table stakes. I'll show you how to transform that fear of irrelevance into your biggest advantage, building a strategic career plan that keeps you at the forefront of FinTech innovation.Key Insights:Why traditional goal-setting fails and how strategic development planning leads to lasting career growthThe power of being the driver of your career instead of letting circumstances control your pathHow to identify and leverage growth opportunities in industry, company, and teamThe importance of building distinctive capabilities that make you irreplaceableWhy visibility planning is crucial, especially for women and introvertsWe cover:(00:00) Welcome to 2025: Why Strategic Planning Beats Goal Setting(01:00) My personal story: From Big Banks to FinTech Startups(02:45) The Power of Creating Your Own "Practical MBA"(04:02) 1: Being Strategic About Your Direction(06:00) The Importance of Clarity in Career Planning(07:03) Exercise: Permission to Dream Big(09:07) Being Honest With Your Self-Assessment(13:15) 2: Following the Growth(14:53) Identifying Growing Industries and Companies(16:00) Analyzing Trends and Their Impact on Your Role(19:26) 3: Building Your Capabilities(20:29) Developing Your Value Proposition(22:14) The Power of Unique Combinations(24:03) Creating Your Visibility Plan(26:00) Common Mistakes to Avoid(27:10) Action Steps for ImplementationTake Action This Week:The Dream Exercise: Give yourself permission to envision your ideal career without constraintsGrowth Audit: Assess your current skills against where you want to beValue Proposition: Create your unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality traitsFollow for more insights on building successful careers in FinTech and strategic professional development.👉 Connect with MonicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/—Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tamara, CEO of Velexa, as we explore how FinTech is revolutionizing wealth management and financial education. From democratizing investment access to building community-driven platforms, discover how Velexa is making financial services more inclusive and less intimidating for everyone.Why education and community are key to next-generation FinTech solutionsHow Brazil became a leader in neobank adoption with 43% population penetrationThe importance of hybrid approaches in empowering women investorsWhy Southeast Asia leads in digital wealth management innovationThe role of AI and ChatGPT in shaping the future of investment adviceBuilding scalable B2B solutions while keeping focus on end-user needsWe cover:(00:00) The Essence of FinTech: Revolutionizing Money Management(02:08) Brazil's FinTech Success Story: From Unbanked to Digital Leaders(03:29) Velexa's Mission: Democratizing Investment Access(05:07) The B2B Approach to Achieving Global Impact(06:10) The Future of WealthTech and Investment Adoption(08:31) Financial Stress and Education: Building Better Solutions(11:03) Gen Z's Approach to Financial Health(14:13) Building Community-Driven Financial Products(15:27) Women in Investment: Challenging Industry Misconceptions(18:38) Velexa's Customer Base and Global Market Differences(22:29) Overcoming Legacy Infrastructure Challenges(24:09) Velexa's Award-Winning Vision and Success Factors(29:18) The Role of AI in Investment Decision-Making(34:56) Responsible Innovation in Financial Education(36:34) Leadership Insights: Creating a Winning Strategy(39:00) CEO Mindset: The Importance of Team and Vision(41:34) The Future of FinTech: Prioritizing Financial EducationIf you're interested in the intersection of FinTech, financial education, and inclusive wealth management, this episode provides valuable insights into building purpose-driven financial solutions that make a real difference in people's lives.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Connect with Tamara:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-kostova-0818001/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/velexa/Website: https://velexa.com/https://velexa.com/news/2024/06/velexa-disrupting-start-ups-money2020-europe/👉 Connect with MonicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/—Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Imagine a world where rural communities thrive with access to financial services tailored to their unique needs. That’s exactly what Tim Scheffmann, CEO of LTS Ventures, is making possible with the largest digital village banking network in Southeast Asia.In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of FinTech in underserved regions and how Tim is redefining financial inclusion. From adopting cutting-edge AI to ensuring communities have access to emergency funds, LTS Ventures bridges the gap between technology and humanity to create lasting change.How LTS reached profitabilityWhy a strong business model is key to driving meaningful impactHow AI supports fair and efficient credit decisions in rural communitiesThe role of standardization in scaling financial inclusionClimate challenges in Laos and how FinTech is helping villages stay resilientThe secret to building trust in small communities with technology and human connectionTim also shares his journey from growing up in a German village to leading a social enterprise in Laos and the lessons learned from early hesitations to now championing digital village banking.If you’re curious about how FinTech can solve real-world problems and how AI is reshaping the credit landscape, this episode is for you!Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.We cover:(02:15) Transitioning from NGO Roots to a Profitable Social Enterprise(05:00) The Importance of Business Models in Financial Inclusion(08:00) Scaling to 900+ Villages: Standardization and Technology(10:50) Leveraging AI for Credit Decisioning and Fraud Prevention(15:30) Building Trust: The Role of Community and AI in Lending(18:45) Financial Literacy and Behavioral Change in Rural Communities(22:10) Addressing Climate Challenges with Village Banking(27:30) Village Banking as a Hub for Knowledge and Community Building(31:40) The Human Element in Rural Financial Services(36:10) Lessons Learned: Advocating for Digital Village Banking(39:20) Transforming Financial Inclusion in Rural Laos👉 Connect with Tim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scheffmann/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ltsventures/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: https://www.ltsventures.com/👉 Connect with MonicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWebsite: https://www.purposedrivenfintech.com/—Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Purpose Driven FinTechs are predicated on accessibility and inclusiveness - it's not about building a product that a very few people really love and admire and adore and become early adopters.Fasset is an all-in-one financial super app that allows people and businesses to securely invest, earn, and make payments and they are targeting a broader subsegment of society with financial services using blockchain technology — so that more people to benefit from it!Come behind the scenes with me all the way to the UAE. Meet Umair Javed, Chief Business Officer at Fasset. We discuss how to reach 98% of society with Fasset Connect, the complexities of building a high-performance culture, handling execution challenges, and fostering innovation without getting swayed by technology hype, financial education, rethinking traditional business models to achieve long-term impact - what and much more!Remember to like and subscribe for more episodes like this!👉 Connect with Umair:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mumairjaved/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fassethq/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: https://fasset.com/👉 Monica’s SocialsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millares—Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.