In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Matt Brown, early-stage investor at Matrix Partners and former product leader at Afterpay.

Matt dives into the evolving landscape of vertical SaaS, why embedded fintech still has massive untapped potential, and how PE and VC are converging to create new opportunities. He also shares lessons from founding Bonsai, including counterintuitive insights about customer feedback and learning rate. They cover founder-investor dynamics, the future of BNPL, and Matt’s writing process behind his popular “X topic in 1,000 words” series.

If you're building in fintech, SaaS, or just want to understand the deeper trends shaping both, this is a must-listen.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Michele Alt, Co-Founder of Klaros Group, about new opportunities in fintech bank charters.

They unpack the recent SmartBiz approval, what it signals for the industry, and the realities of the charter process—from regulatory hurdles to risk management. Michele also shares why now might be the best time in years to act—and why ILC charters could be the next big thing.

If you're thinking about chartering, partnering, or future-proofing your fintech, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young welcomes back Simon Taylor—fintech thought leader, writer of Fintech Brainfood, and Head of Strategy & Content at Sardine.

They explore the rapidly emerging world of agentic payments and what Visa’s new tokenization framework means for AI-driven commerce. Simon also unpacks real-world use cases, from “vibe shopping” to automated business purchasing, and what hurdles—like consumer trust and fraud—still stand in the way.

The conversation then shifts to Sardine’s groundbreaking Agentic Oversight Framework, which shows how AI agents can safely handle complex compliance tasks like KYC.

Whether you’re building AI tools, working in compliance, or just curious about the next frontier in payments—this is an essential listen.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, Reggie and Ali are joined by Braulio Lam, Senior Director of Engineering at EQ Bank, to unpack the essential ingredients of selecting and integrating a card processor. 

With experience across multiple processors and fintech startups, Braulio breaks down what to look for in API documentation, how to assess a processor’s operational and customer support readiness, and what a real-world integration looks like. 

From technical deep dives to agile banking transformation, Braulio offers practical, tactical insights for engineers, product leaders, and anyone navigating the complexities of payments infrastructure.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young speaks with Cato Pastoll (Co-founder & CEO) and Nik Nampalli (Head of Strategic Projects) of Loop—Canada’s #1 business banking platform. Loop offers multi-currency credit cards, global payment tools, and financial services that save SMBs thousands each year.

Cato and Nik break down how Loop evolved into a fintech solution for Canadian businesses with cross-border needs, why multi-currency capabilities matter, and what makes Canada’s fintech landscape uniquely challenging.

Whether you're navigating card issuing, expanding across borders, or curious about what’s next for Canadian fintech—this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young sits down with Scott Johnson, President of the Card Division at LoanPro. Scott shares his deep expertise from over two decades in fintech, including his time at Galileo and his current work at LoanPro, where they are pioneering transactional-level credit. Together, they discuss the core pillars of launching a credit card, common mistakes fintech founders make, and how the lending landscape is evolving. Whether you’re a fintech builder or just curious about how credit cards really work, this conversation is packed with insights on the future of card issuing and credit products.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young chats with Penny Lee, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association (FTA). Penny shares insights on key federal fintech policy developments, the implications of open banking, and how fintech companies can navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. They discuss recent court filings related to CFPB’s final open banking rule, regulatory trends under the new administration, and opportunities for fintechs to influence policy.

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.