Fintech Layer Cake

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young talks with Saira Rahman, VP of New Investor Initiatives at Fundrise, about the intricate world of net interest margins, the importance of strategic bank partnerships, and the evolving landscape of fintech.

Saira shares her unique insights from her experiences at both traditional banks and fintech startups, offering practical advice for navigating the complex intersection of banking and technology. Whether you're in fintech or banking, this episode will provide you with actionable insights to refine your strategies.

Tune in to learn why more bank partners aren't always better and how interest rates impact fintechs and banks alike.

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.

In this episode of FinTech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young chats with Faraz Rana, founder and CEO of Affinity.

Faraz shares his journey from being an M&A lawyer to becoming the Chief Legal Officer at Bread and eventually founding Affinity. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from big law to a startup environment, the nuances of the BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) space, and the importance of compliance in FinTech. Faraz also dives into the concept of compliance co-pilots using generative AI and the future of RegTech.

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.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, host Reggie Young, joined by co-host Alli Nilsen, sits down with Nick Rasines from Column to explore the intricacies of building and maintaining successful partnerships in the fintech industry.

Nick shares his expertise on the fundamentals of partnerships, the importance of trust, and the unique challenges and opportunities within the fintech space. From regulatory considerations to the nuances of bank partnerships, this episode provides valuable insights for fintech founders and operators looking to navigate the complexities of the industry.

Tune in to discover how Column is redefining fintech partnerships and learn practical tips for creating sustainable and effective collaborations.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young dives deep into the intricacies of earned wage access  (EWA) and its regulatory landscape with Ben LaRocco from EarnIn. 

They explore what a policy function within a fintech company entails, the role of government relations in shaping how products are perceived and regulated, and the current state and future of earned wage access in the fintech sector.

Ben provides a comprehensive primer on EWA, discussing its business models, regulatory challenges, and the impact of policy on innovation and consumer protection.

This episode of Fintech Layer Cake features host Reggie Young in conversation with Polo Rocha, a reporter at American Banker.

They dive into the current bank earnings season, discussing the financial health of regional banks post-Silicon Valley Bank collapse, key metrics in bank earnings, and overarching trends in the banking industry.

Polo offers expert insights into how public bank disclosures reflect broader trends affecting regional and fintech sponsor banks. The discussion also covers regulatory changes, profitability pressures, and the future challenges banks may face in 2024.

In this episode of Fintech Layer Cake, Reggie Young interviews Daniel Simon, Founder of Coast, a modern financial services platform revolutionizing the fleet card industry.

They delve into the complexities of fleet payments and discuss Coast's innovative approach, combining modern technology and customer-centric products to disrupt the traditional fleet card market. Key topics include the technical, regulatory, and operational challenges in fleet payments, Coast's unique solutions, and future trends in the industry.