FinWise EYE ON:

FinWise EYE ON:

By FinWise BankBusiness
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FinWise EYE ON: episodes

  • The Rise of AI Agents in Consumer Finance with Alex McDougall, CEO of FUTR
    In this episode of EYE ON Fintech, Alex McDougall, CEO of FUTR, sits down with host Sarah Grotta to explore how AI agents are transforming consumer financial decisions. From data ownership and consumer trust to agentic commerce, digital currencies, and the future of financial services, Alex shares insights on how AI can help consumers make smarter financial decisions while highlighting the importance of security, transparency, and human relationships in an increasingly automated world.

    Key Takeaways
    • AI agents are evolving from providing recommendations to helping consumers take action, making financial management more personalized and efficient.
    • Trust, transparency, security, and data ownership will be critical to the successful adoption of AI-driven financial solutions.
    • Consumer-controlled data vaults may give individuals greater visibility into how their information is used while enabling more accurate financial recommendations.
    • Agentic commerce is creating new opportunities for AI-powered interactions between consumers, businesses, and financial service providers.
    • Human relationships remain a vital part of financial services, with AI positioned to enhance, not replace, trusted advisors and financial professionals.
    • The convergence of AI, digital currencies, and modern payment infrastructure has the potential to reshape how consumers make decisions, move money, and engage with financial services.

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      48 min
    • EYE ON Innovation in Collections: From Vendors to Strategic Partners with TrueML's Justin Jones

      In this episode of the FinWise EYE ON Fintech Podcast, host Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives at FinWise Bank, sits down with Justin Jones, Vice President of Sales at TrueML, to explore how technology, AI, and data-driven strategies are reshaping the collections industry.

      Justin shares his journey from SaaS technology sales into the collections space and highlights the importance of clean, accessible data, sharing how TrueML developed integration capabilities that allow organizations to overcome data complexity and accelerate implementation without extensive system overhauls.

      The conversation dives into several key trends transforming collections today, including:

      • The shift from one-size-fits-all collections approaches to personalized, data-driven engagement strategies powered by machine learning and AI. 
      • Why financial institutions are consolidating vendor ecosystems and prioritizing strategic technology partners that can deliver multiple solutions across the collections lifecycle. 
      • The growing scrutiny surrounding AI adoption, including the increased role of risk governance, model validation, and compliance oversight in vendor evaluations.
      • How modern sales teams must move beyond traditional product pitches to become consultative advisors focused on solving business challenges and delivering measurable outcomes.
      • The reality behind organizations attempting to build collection technologies in-house, and why speed-to-market, expertise, and operational integration often make partnering with experienced providers the more effective path. 

        • Throughout the discussion, both Justin and Simon emphasize that the future of collections belongs to organizations that can combine technology, compliance, data intelligence, and human expertise to deliver better outcomes for both businesses and consumers.

        The episode concludes with a broader discussion on what separates transactional vendors from true strategic partners and why financial institutions should focus their efforts on their core competencies while leveraging specialized experts to drive innovation and ROI.

         

        1 hr
      • Inside the Fintech–Bank Partnership Playbook: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

        In this episode of EYE ON Fintech, host Nick Chiappetti sits down with industry powerhouse Stacy Bishop—CEO and Founder of Selling Fintech and Fintech Partnership Strategist—to unpack what really drives successful (and unsuccessful) bank–fintech partnerships.

        Drawing from her unique perspective across both fintech founders and sponsor banks, Stacy shares candid insights on why partnerships fail, how fintechs can better prepare for sponsor bank relationships, and what it takes to build scalable, long-term programs in today’s evolving ecosystem.

        From ecosystem complexity to trust-building and future trends, this episode delivers practical guidance for anyone navigating embedded finance.

        Episode Highlights

        • Why partnerships fail—and how to avoid it

          Misaligned expectations, unclear success metrics, and unsustainable pricing are some of the fastest ways to derail fintech-bank partnerships.

        • Sponsor bank readiness requires realism, not hype

          Banks expect clear business cases, conservative forecasts, and operational transparency—not just investor-style growth projections.

        • Success depends on the full fintech ecosystem

          Beyond the bank, fintechs must navigate a complex network of processors, networks, and providers—where every player impacts program success. 

        • Trust and relationships still win deals

          Building credibility across “layers and players”—especially through real-world connections—is critical to gaining traction and navigating the space. 

        • The future: evolution, not replacement

          While more fintechs may pursue charters, embedded finance and sponsor banking models will remain essential as demand for seamless financial experiences continues to grow.

           


           

           

          53 min
        • Keeping an EYE ON AI: Beyond the AI Hype—Building ROI‑Driven, Data‑Led Financial Services

          Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in financial services—it’s here. But moving from experimentation to real, measurable impact is where many institutions still struggle.

          In this episode, Erin Earl, Industry Executive Advisor for Financial Services at SAP, sits down with host Sarah Grotta, Chief Fintech Officer at FinWise Bank, for a practical, no‑nonsense conversation about what it really takes to make AI work in banking.

          Drawing on decades of leadership experience across global banks, fintechs, and enterprise technology, Erin cuts through the hype and shares what financial institutions actually need to focus on to turn AI investments into business outcomes.

          Listeners will learn:

          • Why so many AI pilots fail—and how to avoid “pilot purgatory” by anchoring every initiative to a clear business case and ROI.
          • How banks of all sizes can prioritize the right AI use cases, with real examples where mid‑sized and community institutions are outperforming larger peers.
          • What “AI‑ready data” really means, and why data foundation—not models—is the biggest determinant of AI success.
          • How to structure ownership and governance for AI, balancing innovation, risk management, and regulatory expectations in a highly regulated industry.

            • Whether you’re just beginning your AI journey or looking to scale what’s already in production, this episode delivers practical guidance for building data‑led, ROI‑driven financial services—today and for the future.

            39 min
          • EYE ON Faster Payments: What’s Driving Adoption, Use Cases, and What Comes Next

            In this episode of FinWise EYE ON, host Sarah Grotta, Chief Fintech Officer at FinWise, sits down with Reed Luhtanen, Executive Director & CEO of the U.S. Faster Payments Council, for a deep-dive conversation on the rapid evolution of faster and real-time payments in the U.S.

            Reed brings a unique, ecosystem-wide perspective—spanning banks, fintechs, payment networks, merchants, and regulators—to unpack how the industry has moved from “why faster payments?” to “how fast can we get live?”

            Listeners will learn:

            • Why instant payments have officially passed the tipping point in the U.S.
            • How RTP and FedNow adoption has accelerated—and what’s driving it
            • The most compelling real-world use cases, from payroll and earned wage access to loan disbursements, insurance payouts, marketplaces, and healthcare
            • How fintechs access faster payment rails through bank partnerships
            • Why “receive-only” participation isn’t enough—and the ROI case for enabling send
            • Key fraud and risk considerations—and why real-time doesn’t mean reckless
            • How industry standards (confirmation of payee, transaction tags, exceptions handling) can unlock broader adoption
            • The role of AI, stablecoins, and tokenized deposits in the future payments landscape
            • Why optionality and redundancy may be a strength—not a weakness—of the U.S. payments system

              • Whether you’re a community bank, fintech, program manager, or payments professional, this episode offers valuable insight into where faster payments are today—and where they’re headed next.

               

              41 min
            • Lending Innovation, AI, and the Future of Credit with Ed Walters from Upstart

              In this podcast episode Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives at FinWise Bank, sat down with Ed Walters, VP of Lending Partnerships at Upstart, for a wide‑ranging and candid conversation on how lending is evolving—and what banks, fintechs, and investors need to understand to stay ahead.

              Ed and Simon unpack:

              • How AI is reshaping credit access—and why starting with the customer problem (not the product) matters more than ever
              • What it really takes to innovate responsibly in lending while balancing regulators, sponsor banks, and investors
              • Lessons learned from the 2022 credit cycle stress test—and how modern underwriting models are adapting to macroeconomic risk
              • How fintechs and sponsor banks can build durable, multi‑year partnerships in a fast‑moving, highly regulated environment
              • Why the future of lending is moving toward “always‑on” credit, meeting consumers at their point of need with the right product, at the right price

                • Ed also shares practical insights on product ideation, compliance‑by‑design, model explainability, and what strong risk management looks like at scale—all grounded in real-world experience.

                If you’re thinking about the future of consumer lending, AI in underwriting, or how fintech–bank partnerships can evolve sustainably, this episode is for you.

                 

                1 hr
              • Compliance is Your Competitive Advantage in 2026 with Dana Lawrence from Themis

                In our latest episode, Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer at FinWise Bank, sits down with Dana Lawrence, VP of Go‑to‑Market Strategy & Customer Relationships at Themis, to unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—levers for success in financial services:

                ➡️ Compliance as a true business differentiator.

                If you work in fintech, banking, risk, regtech, or anywhere in the BaaS ecosystem, this conversation hits home.

                Here are a few of the standout insights:

                • Compliance is your brand.
                • The pendulum may swing—but responsibility doesn’t.
                • How to turn the ‘Department of No’ into the ‘Department of Know.’
                • What’s coming in 2026

                  • And a powerful reminder: In a hybrid world, in‑person community matters more than ever.  For innovation, for collaboration, for sanity.

                  If you're navigating risk, underwriting new fintech models, evaluating partnership opportunities, or preparing for your 2026 compliance strategy—this is a conversation worth your time.

                  40 min
                • FinWise Team 2025 Year in Review

                  Year in Review 2025: Insights from FinWise Bank

                  Join host Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer at FinWise Bank, and a panel of FinWise leaders as they reflect on the biggest shifts, challenges, and opportunities in fintech and banking partnerships over the past year. This special episode brings together:

                  • Kenzie Mexican, SVP, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer
                  • Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives
                  • Chris Comber, SVP, Credit Management and Strategy
                  • Nick Chiappetti, VP, Fintech Marketing and Partnerships
                  • Donnie Drake, SVP, BaaS Operations
                  • Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer (Host)

                    • What’s inside:

                    • How 2025 compared to the regulatory “wildfire” of 2024
                    • The maturing fintech landscape: fewer startups, more mergers & acquisitions
                    • Shifting regulatory tone, but persistent compliance focus
                    • The rise of AI and stablecoins—hype vs. practical impact
                    • Evolving consumer expectations and product innovation
                    • Predictions for 2026: bank charter trends, AML modernization, and more collaboration

                    Tune in for candid perspectives, industry trends, and a look ahead to what’s next in fintech and banking. Happy holidays from the FinWise EYE ON Podcast team!

                    50 min
                  • Money2020 - Special Episode 2025 - Part 3

                    In Part 3, we dive into the conversations shaping the future of fintech, banking, and payments. From cultural transformation in community banking to innovations in family finance, earned wage access, and stablecoin adoption, this episode is packed with insights from industry leaders.

                    Featured Guests & Time Stamps:

                    Chris Eggemeyer, VP, Castle Creek Capital (00:32 – 10:59)

                    Madhu Yalamarthi, Co-Founder & CEO, Modak (11:05 – 20:12)
                    Julie Valencia, Head of Compliance, Modak (11:05 – 20:12)
                    Andrew Grant, Regulatory and Transactional Attorney, Runway Group (20:13 – 24:00)
                    Todd Rotolo, Head of Growth & Marketing, Chisel (24:01 – 31:53)
                    Kyla Galicia, Head of Client Relationships and Implementations, Chisel (24:01 – 31:53)
                    Dimitri Dadiomov, Co-Founder & President, Modern Treasury (31:54 – 38:28)
                    Rob Kaczmarek, CEO & Founder, Inbanx (38:29 – 48:19)
                    Alex Gostomelsky, CFO, Tapcheck (48:20 – 59:00)
                    Matt MacDonald, Fintech Practice Leader, Wolf & Company (59:01 – 65:04)
                    Emmett Shipman, Fintech Strategy, Wolf & Company (59:01 – 65:04)

                    Highlights:
                    ✔ AI and automation in compliance
                    ✔ Stablecoins as a new payment rail
                    ✔ Bank-fintech collaboration and cultural shifts
                    ✔ Financial wellness and accessibility for families and workers

                    1 hr 6 min
                  • Fintech Partnerships, Bank Charters & the Future of Banking with Kiah Haslett

                    In this episode, Kiah Haslett, creator of Fintech Takes Banking, sits down with host Sarah Grotta to talk about the evolving relationship between banks and fintechs. They explore the lessons learned from Banking-as-a-Service, the surge in charter applications, and what these trends mean for compliance, risk management, and innovation. The conversation also dives into regulatory shifts, payment charters, and the potential impact of initiatives like the Skinny Master Account and Section 1033. If you want to understand how technology, regulation, and strategy are reshaping banking, this episode is a must-listen.

                    46 min

                  About FinWise EYE ON:

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                  Keeping an EYE ON all things in the Fintech Banking universe. A podcast from FinWise Bank. www.finwise.bank. FINW.