In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young speaks with Tal Schwartz, founder of the Canadian Fintech Newsletter and Exit North Ventures. Together, they explore the Canadian fintech ecosystem, comparing it with the U.S., discussing unique market dynamics, and highlighting opportunities in embedded finance and regulatory innovation. Tal also shares insights on building a Fintech fund and why Canada is primed for fintech growth.

In this episode, Reggie Young unpacks the latest insights from Money 20/20 in Las Vegas. From the rise of AI in compliance and cross-border payments to the evolving challenges in sponsor banking, Reggie dives into key trends shaping fintech. Tune in to hear his reflections and predictions on the future of financial technology and how companies are adapting in a tough regulatory landscape.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young presents a crash course on Sponsor Bank MSAs (Master Services Agreements) with Andrew Grant, co-founder of The Runway Group. They unpack the complexities of these critical agreements, discuss the latest trends in regulatory expectations, and highlight key strategies for founders and operators to navigate sponsor-bank relationships effectively.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Zarik Khan, Head of Compliance Testing at Flex, about the critical role of compliance in fintech companies and how it impacts long-term sustainability and growth.Zarik shares his unique insights gained from his extensive career at major organizations like Discover and Google, and now a compliance leader at Flex. They delve into effective compliance strategies, the evolving fintech landscape, and the potential implications of major industry deals like the Discover and Capital One merger. This conversation is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking insights for fintech leaders and compliance professionals.

Saira Rahman, VP of New Investor Initiatives at Fundrise, shares her expertise on net interest margins and fintech partnerships. She highlights how varying bank strategies impact lending and deposit costs. Saira emphasizes that more partner banks aren't always beneficial and discusses the challenges of integrating fintech with traditional systems. Insights into user behavior reveal the importance of research over mere feedback. Lastly, she explores the evolution of investment strategies in real estate, emphasizing strategic acquisitions in the changing fintech landscape.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young sits down with Simon Taylor, Head of Strategy and Content at Sardine, renowned author of the Fintech Brainfood newsletter, and host of the Fintech Brainfood podcast. Dubbed the "Ghost of Fintech Future," Simon shares his insights on the evolving landscape of fintech, lessons learned from the UK's fintech scene, and the growing threat of fraud in financial services. They discuss how Sardine is tackling these challenges with innovative fraud detection techniques and the personal story that drives Simon's passion for financial security. This episode is packed with forward-thinking perspectives, practical strategies, and a look into the future of fintech.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young is joined by Ravi Mikkelsen, co-founder and CEO of Atmos. Ravi shares his journey from engineering in the climate and clean energy sector to founding Atmos, a company that blends climate tech with fintech to create sustainable banking solutions. Delve into Atmos' unique dual-product strategy, which empowers consumers and banks alike to drive positive climate impact. Discover how Atmos leverages bank deposits for clean energy financing and how it navigates the complex landscape of regulatory compliance and customer acquisition.

Faraz Rana, former Chief Legal Officer at Bread and founder of Affinity, shares his journey from M&A lawyer to startup leader. He delves into the regulatory nuances of the Buy Now Pay Later landscape, emphasizing compliance's pivotal role in fintech. The discussion also highlights the integration of generative AI as a compliance co-pilot and the importance of building relationships in legal operations. In reflecting on RegTech's future, Faraz identifies the need for innovation to overcome barriers in selling solutions to compliance teams.

In this special 10th-anniversary episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young is joined by Lithic's co-founders Bo Jiang, Jason Kruse, and David Nichols. Celebrate a decade of fintech innovation as they dive into the transformative journey from their early days at Privacy.com to becoming a leading name in payments infrastructure. The founders share behind-the-scenes challenges, pivotal decisions, and the lessons learned while reshaping the fintech landscape. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast or an industry professional, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the minds of those who are redefining financial technology.

Dive into a world of contrarian insights on "Fintech Layer Cake" as host Reggie Young engages with Nikil Konduru of Lithic. This episode unpacks Nikil’s unconventional perspectives on critical fintech topics like Visa Flex, fintech venture capital, and why payments shouldn't be free. Nikil, known for his deep understanding and sharp critiques, discusses the hidden costs of payment experiences, challenges in regulating financial fees, and predicts how fintechs could reshape banking in the U.S. with their technological edge. If you're fascinated by the evolving dynamics of financial technologies, this conversation offers a treasure trove of insights and debates that challenge mainstream views.