FinTalk Presented by Fig | A Judgment-Free Money Podcast for Canadians

Can Money Make or Break a Relationship?

Money can be one of the hardest topics to discuss in a relationship. From deciding who should pay on the first date to navigating debt, joint accounts, emotional spending, and different saving habits, financial differences can quickly create tension.

In this episode of FinTalk, host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, sits down with Suhail Hafiz, Head of Finance at Fig, Jon Nguyen, Head of Operations at Fig, and Ardalan Shojaei, Chief Credit and Risk Officer at Fig, for an honest and entertaining conversation about money, dating, and financial compatibility.

Through games like Red Flag or Green Flag and Never Have I Ever, the group explores dating expenses, borrowing money from friends, major purchases, credit scores, debt, saving, and the money habits that can strengthen or strain a relationship.

Whether you are dating, in a long-term relationship, or combining finances with a partner, this episode offers relatable insights into why open conversations about money matter.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why financial compatibility matters in relationships.
• Who should pay on a first date. How emotional spending can affect couples.
• Why credit scores, income, and debt do not tell the whole story.
• How different saving and spending habits can create conflict.
• Why couples should discuss major purchases and joint accounts.
• How open communication can lead to healthier financial decisions.

A strong relationship is not about having identical finances. It is about understanding each other’s habits, values, and goals.

Subscribe to FinTalk for judgment-free conversations that help you talk openly, love wisely, and get financially fit with Fig.

Money doesn't have to be complicated.

That's why at Fig we created FinTalk, a podcast where Canadians can build financial confidence through honest conversations, expert advice, and a little fun along the way.

Every week, Monisha Sharma sits down with some of Canada's leading experts for real, practical conversations about money. No jargon. No judgment. Just advice that helps Canadians make better financial decisions.

In our first season, we're covering topics that impact millions of Canadians every day:

💳 The truth behind credit scores

🏡 Hidden mortgage costs and buying your first home

💪 Building healthier financial habits

🚨 The scams costing Canadians millions (and how to protect yourself)

❤️ Navigating money in relationships

We're joined by incredible guests from Equifax Canada, Credit Canada, Neo Financial, Borrowell, ClearScore Canada, Questrade, Homewise, the Toronto Police Service's Financial Crimes Unit, and more.

Money doesn't have to be boring. Whether you're looking to improve your credit, pay off debt, buy your first home, avoid fraud, or just feel more confident with your finances, FinTalk brings practical advice, great guests, and a lot of fun along the way.

🎧 New episodes drop every week. Subscribe to FinTalk for practical conversations that help you get financially fit with Fig.

How Credit Scores Work in Canada—and How to Improve Yours

For many Canadians, credit scores can feel confusing, intimidating, and difficult to understand. From conflicting scores and complicated credit reports to hard checks, utilization rates, and common myths, it can be challenging to know what actually affects your credit.

In this episode of FinTalk, host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, sits down with Tassie Milne, General Manager at ClearScore Canada, Simon Wyse, Chief Revenue Officer at Borrowell, and Julie Kuzmic, Head of Consumer Advocacy and Compliance at Equifax Canada, to explain how credit scores work, what lenders see, and how Canadians can build healthier credit habits.

Whether you are trying to improve your credit score, rebuild your credit history, prepare for a loan application, or simply understand what appears on your credit report, this conversation offers practical advice to help you take greater control of your financial profile.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What credit scores measure and what appears on your credit report.
• Why your score may vary between credit bureaus and financial apps.
• How payments, credit utilization, and account history affect your score.
• Why avoiding credit can make it harder for lenders to evaluate you.
• The difference between hard and soft credit checks. How to check, build, and improve your credit score for free.

Building strong credit is not about achieving a perfect number. It is about understanding how credit works, developing consistent financial habits, and creating a credit history that helps lenders better understand your ability to manage payments.

Subscribe to FinTalk for practical conversations that help you get financially fit with Fig.

Are You Choosing the Wrong Mortgage?

For many Canadians, buying a home can feel confusing, stressful, and overwhelming. From understanding what you can afford to navigating hidden costs, mortgage rates, and lender options, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

In this episode of FinTalk, host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, sits down with Bekim Merdita, Managing Director, Mortgage & Real Estate at Questrade, and Jesse Abrams, Co-Founder & CEO of Homewise, to discuss the mortgage mistakes that can cost Canadians thousands and how buyers can make more informed decisions.

Whether you are preparing to buy your first home, renewing your mortgage, or simply trying to better understand the home-buying process, this conversation offers practical advice to help you navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why getting pre-approved before looking at homes is so important.
• How to determine what you can realistically afford.
• Which hidden home-buying costs can catch first-time buyers by surprise.
• Why staying loyal to your bank could cost you more over time.
• What to consider when comparing mortgage rates and lenders.
• Why the lowest mortgage rate is not always the best option.
• How prepayment privileges, penalties, and mortgage terms can affect your finances.
• Why shopping around can help you find a mortgage that better fits your needs.

Choosing a mortgage is about more than finding the lowest rate. It is about understanding your options and making a decision that works for your finances, goals, and future.

Subscribe to FinTalk for practical conversations that help you get financially fit with Fig.

What does it really take to become financially fit?

From avoiding your bank account to struggling with debt, overspending, or feeling behind, managing money can be stressful and embarrassment often keeps people from taking the first step.

In this episode of FinTalk, host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, sits down with Bruce Sellery, CEO of Credit Canada, and Lisa Hannam, Editor-in-Chief of The Get at Neo Financial, to explore why building healthy financial habits can feel so difficult and what it takes to make lasting changes.

Whether you want to pay down debt, understand where your money is going, build better spending habits, or simply feel more confident about your finances, this conversation offers practical advice for creating a financial plan that works for your life and not someone else’s.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why financial fitness looks different for everyone.
• The first question to ask before setting any financial goal.
• Why traditional budgets often fail and how to create more sustainable spending habits.
• How to analyze your spending, brainstorm realistic changes, and take action.
• Simple ways to automate good financial habits and add friction to impulsive spending.
• How shame, fear, comparison, and perfection can prevent people from improving their finances.
• Why talking openly about money and finding the right support system can make such a difference.
• How couples can discuss spending, financial independence, and shared goals more productively.

Financial fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about knowing what your money is for and making consistent choices that help you feel more in control.

Subscribe to FinTalk for practical conversations that help you get financially fit with Fig.

Could you spot a scam before it's too late?

From AI voice clones and phishing texts to romance scams and investment fraud, scammers are becoming smarter every day, and anyone can become a target.

In this episode of FinTalk, host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, sits down with Andrea Brown, Manager of Fraud & AML at Fig, and David Coffey, Director of Financial Crimes at the Toronto Police Service, to uncover how today's scams work, why they're so effective, and the simple steps every Canadian can take to stay protected.

Whether you've received a suspicious text, wondered if an email was legitimate, or want to help protect your parents, grandparents, or children, this conversation is packed with practical advice that could save you from becoming the next victim.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The most common scams targeting Canadians today, including phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, identity theft, and AI-powered scams.
• The psychological tactics scammers use to manipulate trust, fear, and urgency.
• The red flags that should immediately raise suspicion.
• How financial institutions and law enforcement investigate and respond to fraud.
• What to do if you think you've been scammed and the first steps to take.
• Practical tips to protect your identity, your money, and your loved ones from financial crime.

Fraud is one of the fastest-growing financial threats facing Canadians today. The more you know, the harder you are to scam.

Subscribe to FinTalk for practical conversations that help you get financially fit with Fig.

In this episode of FinTalk, we tackle one of the biggest questions in personal finance: is buying a house the biggest financial decision of your life?

Host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, is joined by Bekim Merdita (Managing Director of Mortgages & Real Estate at Questrade), and Jesse Abrams (Co-Founder & CEO of Homewise).

Together, they discuss the important things first-time homebuyers should know, from navigating mortgages and understanding affordability to the risks of taking on too much debt. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of renting versus owning, and how to decide what’s right for your financial situation.

The panel shares real insights into how lenders evaluate borrowers, common mistakes people make when entering the housing market, and practical tips to make smarter, more confident decisions.

Whether you’re thinking about buying your first home or weighing your options, this episode will help you better understand one of life’s most important financial milestones.

FinTalk is a podcast by Fig focused on financial literacy, real conversations about money, and helping people learn how to live better with their finances.

In this episode of FinTalk, we dive into one of the most important, and often misunderstood, parts of personal finance: credit scores.

Host Monisha Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer at Fig, is joined by an expert panel from across Canada’s credit ecosystem: Tassie Milne (General Manager at ClearScore Canada), Simon Wyse (Chief Revenue Officer at Borrowell) and Julie Kuzmic (Head of Consumer Advocacy & Compliance at Equifax Canada).

Together, they break down how credit scores actually work, what factors impact them, and some of the most common myths people believe about building and maintaining good credit. The panel also shares practical tips on how Canadians can improve their credit health and make smarter financial decisions.

From understanding how lenders evaluate credit to learning the everyday habits that can help or hurt your score, this conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to better understand their financial profile.

FinTalk is a podcast by Fig focused on financial literacy, real conversations about money, and helping people learn how to live better with their finances.