Fintech Hustle

Host Sam Kilmer gathers Reva Rao (Head of Digital Transformation, Blend), David Ladic (SVP, Zafin), Adam Aspes (Partner, FINTOP), and co-host Kelli Schultz for a candid hallway conversation. They trade “day-in-the-life” views (and nonstop event planning), argue for purposeful AI over buzzwords, and unpack regulator-ready AI governance (from “know your agent” to vendor disclosures). The group debates blockchain/tokenization in mortgages, smart-contract enforcement, fraud realities, and whether consumers even care about the rails—so long as pricing and trust improve. It closes with a challenge to community FIs: get entrepreneurial, use your data, personalize beyond product silos, and solve for outcomes—not tech for tech’s sake.

Key Moments

00:11 Guest lineup and setup from the halls of fintech to real operator stories
08:45 Events as strategy why orchestration and education matter as much as product
13:22 Purposeful AI prioritize problems, outcomes, and ROI rather than buzzwords
20:36 Governance and exams “know your agent,” vendor AI disclosures, anonymization, and risk
28:32 Tokenization debate on chain home equity, cost dynamics, smart contract enforcement, and whether consumers care
42:10 What’s broken and what wins data driven personalization and a call for FI entrepreneurship
47:03 Wrap and takeaways solve outcomes first and let tech follow

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Recording “in the hall” at FinovateFall, host Sam Kilmer is joined by Wayne Miller ( SVP Innovation at ICBA & GP at BankTech Ventures), Tiffani Montez (Principal Analyst, EMARKETER), and Har Rai Khalsa (CEO & Co-Founder, Swaystack). They discuss what a fintech leader’s day really looks like, the urgency of AI adoption, the shaky logic of bank-issued stablecoins, and why personalization and life-stage experiences must replace product silos.

• 00:04 Live from FinovateFall, NYC — Sam introduces Wayne, Tiffani, and Har Rhai.
• 01:10 Day-in-the-life: matchmaking fintech + banks, research for clients, go-to-market hustle.
• 04:24 Hallway buzz: AI and stablecoin — time to focus on how, not why.
• 07:25 Industry pain points: inactive accounts, lack of engagement, and missing 360° customer views.
• 12:16 Positive outlook: AI as augmentation, personalization at scale, and shifting from products to customer life-stage journeys.

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Host Sam Kilmer records live from Hyatt Nashville with Steve Soukup (DefenseStorm), Todd Clark (Investifi), Erin Simpson (Encore Bank), and Karan Kashyap (Posh). They swap “day-in-the-life” notes, why AI went from “go slow” to “why aren’t we live,” practical stablecoin prep, real-time payments use cases, ERP integrations, deposit outflows to wealth apps, and why “seamless integration” usually isn’t. Rooftop vibes included.

Timestamps:

• 00:04 Scene-set + guest lineup (DefenseStorm, Invest Defi, Encore Bank, Posh).
• 03:29 “Day in the life”: small-company stretch roles, startup rhythms, running bank ops, CEO still coding.
• 09:00 AI mood shift: boards from cautious to urgent; “web-banking déjà vu.”
• 10:36 Stablecoins: watch, don’t leap; near-term priority is fiat↔stable on/off-ramps.
• 12:41 Bank priorities: real-time payments and ERP integrations for commercial clients.
• 15:07 Integration reality: solving treasury onboarding with true end-to-end partners (docs + core push).
• 17:23 Deposit defense: 5–10% outflows to investment platforms—be the investing on-ramp.
• 18:02 Cyber angle: pace of change ⇒ more risk; move from whac-a-mole to proactive controls.
• 22:38 Live AI wins: disclosure review pipeline; measuring AI ROI (tokens, accuracy) and loan-doc diffs.
• 26:00–30:26 What’s working now: banks leaning in, co-building with fintechs, deposit/treasury innovation, optimistic tone; wrap.

Top Takeaways

• AI urgency: Boards and execs moved from “slow down” to “why aren’t we live?”—time to graduate from licenses to application-layer outcomes.
• Stablecoin stance: For banks today, focus on compliant on/off-ramps and multi-currency readiness rather than speculative use cases.
• Payments & ERP: RTP adoption and deep ERP integrations are must-win commercial banking battlegrounds.
• Integration reality: “Seamless” is oversold—pick partners who’ll do the unglamorous workflow plumbing end-to-end.
• Deposit defense: Mind the wealth leakage to investing apps; offer native pathways before funds walk.
• Security ≈ survival: Rapid change expands the attack surface—proactive cyber risk management is table stakes.
• Prove AI ROI: Track tokens, accuracy, and cycle-time reduction; start with auditable, high-impact workflows (e.g., disclosures, credit-memo vs. docs diffs).

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In this episode of Fintech Hustle, host Sam Kilmer engages with guests Kelley Michalik, Kelli Schultz, and Stephen Baker to discuss the evolving landscape of fintech, focusing on investment trends, the integration of marketing and sales, and the competitive dynamics between community banks and megabanks. The conversation highlights the importance of trust, the challenges of integration, and the potential of AI to transform the industry. The episode concludes with a tribute to Barb McLean, a notable figure in the fintech community.

Takeaways:

• The fintech landscape is seeing increased investor interest and momentum.
• Community banks are gaining traction against megabanks by focusing on personalized service.
• Integration challenges remain a significant hurdle in the fintech industry.
• AI has the potential to level the playing field for smaller financial institutions.
• The shift from marketing to sales is crucial for creating a seamless customer experience.
• Trust is eroding in big banks, creating opportunities for community institutions.
• The importance of storytelling in marketing to attract younger customers.
• Collaboration between marketing and sales teams is essential for success.
• The need for integration standards in fintech is still pressing.
• Fresh perspectives from new entrants can drive innovation in the industry.

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Forget the keynote fluff and polished demo, this episode of Fintech Hustle drops you straight onto a sun-drenched San Diego balcony with the real players of Finovate Spring 2025. Host Sam Kilmer is joined by fintech rockstars Maya Mikhailov (SAVVI AI), Jason Henrichs (Alloy Labs), and Andy Ivankovich (Baker Hill) for a breakdown of what’s actually happening behind the scenes of the industry’s flashiest conference.

If you’re tired of hearing "AI for X" without substance, wondering what bankers are really doing with data, and curious whether fintech is facing a vibe shift—this is your episode.

What You'll Learn:

• AI Hype vs. Reality: Why everyone’s claiming to be “AI-powered”—and why that’s a problem
• From Vibes to Value: The dangers of “vibe-based banking” and the shift to data-backed decision-making
• Data Ponds vs. Oceans: A practical new take on building usable data systems without drowning in complexity
• Fintech Frustrations: The biggest annoyances of the show—and what needs to be fixed, fast
• What’s Actually Working: Real use cases where small banks are doing big things with automation and AI
• Inside Jokes & Honest Talk: Classic rock, Torrey Pines trivia, and bucket-list podcast moments

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In this episode of the Fintech Hustle podcast, host Sam Kilmer sits down live at the AFT Spring Conference with Alex McLeod (CEO, Parlay Finance), Ben Metz (CTO/CDO, Jack Henry), and Will Bryant (COO, Quantalytix) for a high-energy conversation about the future of financial services.

The panel dives into key fintech trends, including the real-world impact of AI in banking, how institutions are rethinking efficiency ratios, and why consumer empowerment is reshaping the market. Beyond tech, they explore the cultural side of fintech – highlighting how music, creativity, and community fuel innovation.

Whether you're a bank or credit union leader, fintech founder, or just love the hustle of financial innovation, this episode delivers strategic insights and fresh perspective straight from the field.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why AI is more than just a buzzword in fintech (and how leaders are applying it)
• How collaboration and culture can solve banking’s toughest challenges
• Why efficiency doesn’t always require AI, and what to prioritize instead
• The increasing importance of human-centered digital experiences
• How events like AFT spark real industry transformation

🔑 Keywords: Fintech podcast, financial services, banking technology, AI in banking, fintech innovation, efficiency ratios, consumer empowerment, AFT conference, credit union trends, financial collaboration, future of fintech

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The Acquire or Be Acquired conference was buzzing with optimism, big ideas, and strategic conversations about the future of banking. In this episode of Fintech Hustle, host Sam Kilmer and co-host Al Dominick sit down for an unscripted discussion with Margaret Hartigan (Founder & CEO, Marstone), Nikhil Lakhanpal (Co-founder, Narmi), and Todd Schell (Managing Director, Warburg Pincus) to break down what’s ahead for the financial services industry in 2025.

This candid conversation covers:

• The push for growth and scalability in an evolving market
• Why fraud concerns are rising across the industry
• The challenge of integration pain and how banks can overcome it
• The shift toward open APIs and stronger fintech partnerships
• How banks can move beyond pricing strategies to drive real innovation
• The importance of understanding customer needs and forecasting effectively

Like every episode of Fintech Hustle, this one is completely unscripted—just real insights from leaders who are shaping the future of financial services. Whether you're running a bank, credit union, or fintech firm, this is a conversation worth tuning into.

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The first Fintech Hustle episode of the year kicks off with host Sam Kilmer and co-host Stacy Bryant joined by industry leaders Lee Farabaugh (Monarch), Brendan Tansill (Candescent), and Hank Seale (Hapax). This lively discussion dives into the dynamic world of fintech, covering the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry today.

The conversation shines a light on the vital role of community banks, cutting-edge fraud prevention strategies, and how technology is transforming customer experiences. The guests also share their perspectives on the growing impact of AI in banking, the challenges of system integration, and the regulatory landscape influencing financial institutions. With a focus on innovation and strategy, this episode offers fresh insights into the evolving fintech space.

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In this episode of Fintech Hustle, Sam gathers his team of co-hosts (Ron Shevlin, Stacey Bryant, Al Dominick and Mary Wisniewski) to reflect on the key themes and highlights from the past year in the fintech industry, by looking back at memorable moments from the podcast over the last 12 months. They discuss the significance of deposits, the role of data in community financial institutions, the importance of predictive analytics, strategies for competing with larger banks, the challenge of staying focused amidst distractions, and the rising concern of fraud in the financial sector. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration and innovative thinking to navigate the evolving landscape of fintech, and the team delves into the pressing issues of fraud in community banking, the potential of AI in fraud prevention, and the challenges of talent acquisition in the banking sector. Also highlighted: the marketing challenges faced by financial institutions and the importance of effective communication and pitching in the Fintech space. The discussion wraps up with a light-hearted note on the fun aspects of the financial industry.

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In this episode of the Fintech Hustle podcast, host Sam Kilmer and co-host Mary Wisniewski sit down with guests Parilee Wang (Alloy), Charles Potts (ICBA, BankTech Ventures), and Joe Cody (Q2) to chat about the exciting world of fintech. They dive into what a typical day looks like for fintech pros, how banking and tech are blending, and why responsible innovation matters. They focus on the changing landscape of fraud and security, highlighting just how important consumer trust is for fintech solutions, exploring the many tools out there to fight fraud and emphasizing the balance between growth and risk. They also discuss how community banks are bouncing back from recent challenges and the fresh strategies they’re using to stand out in a crowded market.

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