BIGcast

Glen connects with the founders of three early stage startups- Lulo, PromptWrx and Thryft Ship- who pitched for the $25,000 Innovation Challenge prize at Fintech South last week, each addressing a quite different pain point. Also- Visa gives up on US open banking, Wyoming (kind of) launches the first state-issued stablecoin, and our own audience vote for best startup.         Links related to this episode:   Click here to vote for your favorite of the three Innovation Challenge Finalists. Lulo: https://www.hellolulo.com/ PromptWrx: https://promptwrx.com/ Thryft Ship: https://thryftship.com/  Reuters on Visa’s shuttering of its US open banking unit: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/visa-closes-us-open-banking-unit-data-fight-heats-up-source-says-2025-08-22/  CoinTelegraph’s reporting on Wyoming’s stablecoin launch: https://cointelegraph.com/news/wyoming-frnt-stablecoin-visa-support-7-blockchains  Fintech Business Weekly’s assessment of Wyoming’s FRNT stablecoin: https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/who-is-wyomings-stablecoin-for    Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday September 17 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. The Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/   Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen catches up with Lou Grilli for a first-hand recap of the recent World Credit Union Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, and to trade perspectives on a flurry of recent fintech news: open banking, stablecoin interest/”rewards,” debit interchange and another Zelle lawsuit. Also- a new leader at America’s Credit Unions, and have we entered the Era of the Do-Over?        Links related to this episode:   The World Council of Credit Unions: https://www.woccu.org/  Connect with Lou Grilli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lougrilli/  CU Broadcast’s interview with America’s Credit Unions’ incoming CEO Scott Simpson: https://www.cubroadcast.com/episodes/4022-scott-simpson-discusses-being-selected-as-americas-credit-unions-new-presidentceo  Payments Dive on the court ruling altering debit card regulations: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/federal-judge-vacates-debit-fee-card-payments-regulations/757108/   PYMNTS.com on yet another twist in the CFPB Open Banking saga: https://www.pymnts.com/news/cfpb/2025/banks-challenge-open-banking-deadlines-cfpb-mulls-revisions/  Fintechs, crypto, AI players band together to press President Trump on open banking: www.ftassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Open-Banking-CEO-Letter-to-President-Trump_08.13.25-1.pdf  Cracks in stablecoin “regulatory clarity” created by the GENIUS Act are already emerging: https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-bankers-want-stablecoin-yield-loophole-closed  Banking groups’ letter appealing for a revision of GENIUS Act provisions: www.aba.com/-/media/documents/letters-to-congress-and-regulators/jointstateltrgenius20250812.pdf    CNBC on the NY Attorney General’s lawsuit against Zelle: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/13/new-york-letitia-james-zelle-lawsuit.html Our recent interview with Finovate’s Greg Palmer: https://www.big-fintech.com/448-minutes-of-fintech-demos-475-fis/     ***Use Code BIG20 for a 20% registration discount on Finovate Fall, September 8-10 in NYC***: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen gets the lowdown from Finovate’s Greg Palmer on what to expect at September’s New York City demo-fest, including a dedicated credit union track. Also- unanswered questions in the President’s de-banking Executive Order, and a showdown regarding BNPL’s role in credit reporting.        Links related to this episode:   Finovate Fall, September 8-10 in NYC: https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/ ***Use Code BIG20 for a 20% registration discount***  Fox Business’ take on the sudden twist in BNPL credit reporting: https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/some-buy-now-pay-later-lenders-holding-back-customer-payment-data-from-credit-bureaus  The President’s Executive Order (EO) on “de-banking”: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/08/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-guarantees-fair-banking-for-all-americans/  The Cato Institute’s critique of the debanking EO: https://www.cato.org/blog/breaking-down-trumps-debanking-executive-order  The National Law Review adds its two cents: https://natlawreview.com/article/trump-executive-order-attacks-de-banking-practices      A special time for our next CU Town Hall: Mark your calendars for our next Town Hall session- Monday, August 18 at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT- streaming live from America’s Credit Unions’ Strategic Growth Conference. It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required. Visit https://www.cutownhall.com/ to request an invitation.    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen connects with Early Warning’s Chief Partnerships Officer Eric Hoffman about the latest progress of Paze’s digital wallet, and Payfinia GM Keith Riddle on his firm’s deal to bring Paze to credit unions. Also- yet another twist in the open banking road, and hints of momentum for de novo institutions.     Links related to this episode:   Paze:  https://www.paze.com/ Payfinia: https://tyfone.com/payfinia/  Our interview with Paze’s Head of Operations Catherine Murchie at Money 20/20 last October: https://www.big-fintech.com/onboarding-and-offboarding-at-money-20-20/  Planet Money’s episode on Fortuna Bank’s de novo journey: https://www.npr.org/2025/03/07/1236538076/new-bank-startup-regulations-entrepreneur  Our recent conversation with the CU De Novo Collective’s Denise Wymore: https://www.big-fintech.com/starting-simple-small-and-with-purpose/  Payments Dive on the CFPB’s plan to “substantially rework” its Open Banking rule: https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/open-banking-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-financial-payments-data-fintechs-Trump/756212/  Fintech Business Weekly on Chase’s plan to charge for open banking data: https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/p/chase-strikes-first-with-open-banking  Fintech South August 19-20 in Atlanta: https://www.fintechsouth.com/ USE CODE BIGCAST25 FOR A REGISTRATION DISCOUNT   A special time for our next CU Town Hall: Mark your calendars for our next Town Hall session- Monday, August 18 at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT- streaming live from America’s Credit Unions’ Strategic Growth Conference. It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required. Visit https://www.cutownhall.com/ to request an invitation.    Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen connects with TTV Capital Partner Sean Banks and Technology Association of Georgia CEO Larry Williams to unpack the state of fintech venture capital investment, Georgia’s role in the global ecosystem and the upcoming Fintech South conference. Also, Illuma Founder/CEO Milind Borkar responds to Sam Altman’s warning flare than voice authentication has been “defeated.”     Links related to this episode:   TTV Capital: https://ttvcapital.com/   Fintech South, August 19-20 in Atlanta; Use code BIGCast25 for a registration discount: https://www.fintechsouth.com/  Illuma’s response to Sam Altman’s statement that AI has “defeated” voice authentication: https://illuma.cx/article/ai-growing-threat-to-digital-channels/  Axios’ coverage of Altman’s comments at a Federal Reserve event: https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/openai-chatgpt-sam-altman-ai-fraud Our 2025 Fintech Predictions BIGgo Card: https://bingobaker.com/#67a12342928998c6  Glen’s recent blog on Real Time/Same Day payment volumes midway through 2025: https://www.big-fintech.com/real-time-payments-rapid-ascent-continues-with-some-odd-footnotes/   A special time for our next CU Town Hall: Mark your calendars for our next Town Hall session- Monday, August 18 at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT- streaming live from America’s Credit Unions’ Strategic Growth Conference with a special fast-paced format. It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required. Visit https://www.cutownhall.com/ to request an invitation.    Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

As we await the next Fed Open Market Committee readout, Glen speaks with CD Valet’s Mary Grace Roske about deposit rate trends that aren’t as straightforward as one might expect. Also- stablecoins are officially GENIUS, CBDCs are still the Antichrist, and the big money keeps flowing into real time payments.   Links related to this episode:   CD Valet: https://www.cdvalet.com/  Glen’s blog assessing the midyear state of RTP, FedNow and Same Day ACH: https://www.big-fintech.com/real-time-payments-rapid-ascent-continues-with-some-odd-footnotes/ Ledger Insights’ take on the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act: https://www.ledgerinsights.com/anti-cbdc-surveillance-act-shouldnt-prevent-wholesale-cbdc-tokenized-reserves/   Our data-rich January interview with Bancography: https://www.big-fintech.com/without-data-its-all-just-vibes/  Finovate, September 8-10 in NYC:  https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/    Check out https://www.bigmerger.ai/ for details on how BIG has turbocharged its 20 years of credit union M&A experience with an AI-assisted framework that delivers successful conversions with remarkable speed, full data privacy and zero member downtime. Read about how BIG enabled the UCCU/TransWest core system merger in just 5 months. Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen unpacks key provisions of the recent US tax/spending bill with help from his expert friends: the Defense Credit Union Council’s Jason Stverak on $1,000 newborn accounts, and credit union lifer Lou Grilli on the “no tax on tips” details. Also- has Big Tech determined that regulation isn’t so bad after all?    Links related to this episode:   The DCUC’s call for the US Treasury to include credit unions in the newborn account rollout:  https://www.dcuc.org/news/dcuc-to-treasury-include-credit-unions-in-trump-accounts-rollout-for-newborns  Bloomberg’s coverage of JPM Chase’s plan to charge for open banking data: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-11/jpmorgan-tells-fintechs-they-have-to-pay-up-for-customer-data?embedded-checkout=true  The Wall Street Journal on tech firms’ desire for federal AI regulation, and why it’s unlikely by 2026:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-setback-tech-firms-renew-push-for-federal-ai-regulation-cc2b26d5  Labor/Employment law firm Littler’s take on the “No Tax on Tips” provision: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/what-employers-need-know-about-no-tax-tips-and-no-tax-overtime   Today’s newborns are tomorrow’s youth bankers; for more on that topic, check out our recent CU Town Hall featuring Marcell King, CEO of Incent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GkfKtp26Xw  The Defense Credit Union Council: https://www.dcuc.org/  World Credit Union Conference: https://www.woccu.org/#trendingnow    Check out https://www.bigmerger.ai/ for details on how BIG has turbocharged its 20 years of credit union M&A experience with an AI-assisted framework that delivers successful conversions with remarkable speed, full data privacy and zero member downtime. Read about how BIG enabled the UCCU/TransWest core system merger in just 5 months. Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen speaks with the CU De Novo Collective’s Denise Wymore about the grassroots groundswell of interest in starting new credit unions, overcoming the challenges of progressing from concept to market, and why a voice for CU creation is needed to counter a one-way trend. Also- Fiserv’s stablecoin play, The FTA’s attempt to preserve open banking, and how AI regulation became a budget issue.                Links related to this episode:   The CU De Novo Collective: https://www.cudenovocollective.org/    The University of North Carolina’s student-led credit union initiative: https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2025/06/university-student-credit-union  George Washington University’s initiative: https://gwucui.com/  America’s Credit Union Museum: https://www.acumuseum.org/ (check the Herstory exhibit) Finovate’s take on Fiserv launching a “bank-friendly stablecoin”: https://finovate.com/fiserv-launches-stablecoin-for-banks/  The Bank Policy Institute/Fintech Association Open Banking standoff: https://thecudaily.com/fintechs-tell-court-banks-want-to-thwart-open-banking-to-stop-competition/    Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 9 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. For this session we’ll be focusing on youth banking and how CUs can appeal to the next generation of members. The CU Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/   Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

Glen chats with the Atlanta Fed’s Claire Greene about the latest Diary and Survey of Consumer Payment Choice and the messy realities of dealing with real world data. Also- next steps in the stablecoin saga and…Fintech’s answer to GameStop?            Links related to this episode:   The Atlanta Fed’s Survey and Diary of Consumer Payment Choice: https://www.atlantafed.org/banking-and-payments/consumer-payments/survey-and-diary-of-consumer-payment-choice/2024-survey-and-diary The Fed’s 2024 SHED Survey: www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/2024-report-economic-well-being-us-households-202505.pdf  The FDIC’s 2023 Survey of Un/Underbanked Households: https://www.fdic.gov/household-survey/2023-fdic-national-survey-unbanked-and-underbanked-households-report Our recent episode on consumer data gathered by the Georgia Fintech Academy: https://www.big-fintech.com/are-younger-generations-branching-out/ Glen’s Genius Act/Stablecoin blog: https://www.big-fintech.com/a-stroke-of-genius-regulation-comes-full-circle/ Arnold Porter’s take on the Genius and Stable Acts: https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/perspectives/advisories/2025/06/incoming-stablecoin-legislation-stable-and-genius-acts JPMorgan Chase’s close stablecoin cousin, the tokenized deposit: https://www.bankingdive.com/news/jpmorgan-chase-to-launch-deposit-token/751083/ The Atlanta Fed’s newblog analyzing potential impacts of retiring the penny: www.atlantafed.org/blogs/macroblog/2025/06/23/penny-dilemma Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 9 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. For this session we’ll be focusing on youth banking and the need to appeal to the next generation. The CU Town Hall is free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/   Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/

John and Glen ruminate on a pair of major events reshuffling the fintech world- The Circle IPO’s impact on venture funding, and the Big Beautiful Bill’s unorthodox approach to throttling AI regulation. Also- John gets “spun out on quantum,” and admits a surprising change of heart regarding his outlook for AI.           Links related to this episode:   Glen’s blog on the Circle and Chime IPOs: https://www.big-fintech.com/what-the-chime-and-circle-ipos-mean-for-fintech-investment/ The Senate alters the House budget provision curtailing states’ ability to regulate AI: https://rollcall.com/2025/06/05/ai-regulation-moratorium-dropped-in-senate-budget-package/  Axios’ story about AI’s newfound ability to blackmail: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/anthropic-ai-deception-risk  CNBC’s take on the Genius Act: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/13/what-the-genius-act-could-mean-for-crypto-and-other-investors.html  TechCrunch’s recap of Chime’s circuitous path to a successful IPO: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/12/chime-almost-died-in-2016-turned-down-by-100-vcs-today-it-ipod-at-14-5b/  Pitchbook’s take on the inevitability of Chime’s “down round” IPO: https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/chimes-ipo-signals-down-rounds-are-here-to-stay     Join us for our next CU Town Hall- Wednesday July 9 at 3pm ET/Noon PT- for a live and lively interactive conversation tackling the major issues facing credit unions today. Industry developments keep coming fast and furious- the CU Town Hall is the place to make sense of these items together. It’s free to attend, but advance registration is required:  https://www.cutownhall.com/   Join us on Bluesky!  @bigfintech.bsky.social;  @154advisors.bsky.social (Glen); @jbfintech.bsky.social (John) And connect on LinkedIn for insights like the Friday Fintech Five: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-innovation-group/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbfintech/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glensarvady/