As the financial world evolves, open banking and digital transformation are opening up new opportunities. This comes with several challenges for banks and fintechs. In today's episode, I sit down with Alessandro Hatami. He is a managing partner of Pacemakers, a consulting firm that offers a systematic approach that allows its clients to find the partner that is right for them.

Today we discuss some of these seismic shifts in the fintech industry.

Hatami has a unique background in financial services, spanning both upstart tech companies like PayPal and traditional institutions like Lloyds Bank. His background offers a compelling perspective on the future of financial services. "Financial services is the ideal digital product," Hatami asserts. "because there isn't a real tangible exchange," he says. Yet, despite this potential, many institutions are struggling to embrace digital transformation.

I’ve been saying for years on this podcast that the ability for both larger and smaller institutions to partner – to partner well, at scale, quickly, and deeply – can be a differentiated, defensible model moving forward.

Hatami explains, "They have gone through an evolution. But they haven't gone through a transformation." The challenge facing the industry today lies in balancing adaptation with true transformation. from legacy systems to cultural barriers.

Through Pacemakers, Hatami aims to bridge this gap. He wants to improve partnerships between established financial institutions and agile fintech innovators.

Here’s my conversation with Pacemakers’ Alessandro Hatami.