Fintech Layer Cake

Fintech Layer Cake officially kicks off its third season as Reggie Young and Alli Nilsen dive into an insightful conversation with Erica Khalili, Chief Legal Risk Officer and Co-founder of Lead. Erica shares the transformative journey of Lead, from its legacy as a century-old institution to becoming a cutting-edge fintech sponsor bank. She discusses the critical pillars of success—technical excellence, client obsession, and risk management—and reflects on the evolving landscape of fintech partnerships and compliance. Packed with real-world insights, this episode is a must-listen for fintech enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young sits down with Ashwin Vasan and Peter Freeman, partners at FS Vector, to discuss the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for fintech and banking innovation. From personnel changes in Washington to the future of digital assets and data privacy, Ashwin and Peter provide actionable insights on what’s shaping the fintech industry in the wake of election outcomes.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young is joined by Matthew Goldman, founder of Totavi, to dive into the latest card trends of 2024 and look ahead at what's in store for 2025. As the first return guest, Matthew shares his insights on the evolving fintech landscape, including the rise of secured cards, the impact of AI in payments, the potential of stablecoins, and predictions for the future of payments. Plus, we explore the regulatory challenges fintechs may face in the coming years and the growing interest in open banking. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the card industry’s biggest takeaways and where it's headed next.

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.

Andrew Grant, co-founder of The Runway Group, brings over 15 years of experience helping fintechs and financial institutions solve complex problems. He dives into the intricacies of Master Services Agreements (MSAs), simplifying their structure for non-lawyers. The discussion highlights the importance of clearly defined roles in fintech-bank partnerships and the need for effective communication to avoid compliance issues. Andrew also covers the evolving dynamics of indemnification clauses under regulatory scrutiny, making it essential listening for fintech founders.

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.