Leaders In Payments

Discover how your everyday purchases can be a catalyst for climate action as we chat with Ben Gleisner, the driving force behind Cogo. Ben's journey from the UK to the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand has led him to pioneer a movement where financial transactions become a measure of our environmental impact.

Our conversation uncovers the intricate workings of Cogo, which transforms banking data into a personal carbon footprint calculator, effortlessly integrating with your favorite banking apps.  We also uncover the unique attributes that elevate Cogo above its peers in the carbon footprint estimation arena.

With Ben's expertise, we peel back the layers on how Cogo's approach to data accuracy and local partnerships is changing the game in consumer behavior. Tune in to this week's episode to grasp the full scope of how informed spending is not just a powerful statement but a step towards a sustainable planet.

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Alex Kostecki, the brains behind Clair, a service that ties your bank account to your employment. As the co-founder and chief revenue officer, Alex reveals how his background in financial services consulting inspired the creation of Clair - a service that not only gives users free access to their wages but also enables them to earn interest on them. He enlightens us on Clair's business model which is built on interchange fees and its innovative way of generating revenue from voluntary products on their app. Alex also shares his love for marketing and backcountry skiing.

Despite the potential challenges of state-specific regulations, Clair is committed to navigating the complexities of the financial industry. The company is in the process of obtaining the required licensing and working with qualified lenders to comply with the evolving regulatory landscape. This proactive approach is attracting large companies, like networks of hospitals across the US and large hotel groups, who choose Clair for its ability to deploy services across the entire country.

In this episode of the Leaders in Payments podcast, Aubrey Amatelli, the founder and CEO of PayRio, provides fascinating insights into the complex world of payment solutions in high-risk industries such as cannabis and CBD. 

Amatelli discusses her company's focus on providing compliant payment solutions for the cannabis and alternative medicine industries. She elaborates on the challenges of operating in high-risk categories like cannabis and CBD, and the unique nuances of processing payments in the cannabis industry. These insights are invaluable for businesses and entrepreneurs navigating this complex landscape.

A significant part of the discussion revolves around Aubrey's career journey from her early days at college to becoming an entrepreneur. Her experiences at Chrysler Corporation, in the nonprofit world, and in the tech industry provide a comprehensive understanding of her professional growth. Her determination to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace is truly inspiring and sets a new standard in the our industry.

Join us as we sit down with Dan Pinto, the brain behind Fingerprint, a company that is making waves with its unique approach to identifying devices in web and mobile apps to prevent fraud. With a focus on adding value and not just preventing losses, Fingerprint has attracted businesses willing to build on top of their API, with payment fraud being the most common use case.

This episode isn't just about Fingerprint's innovative approach to fraud prevention, we also dive deep into the story behind the formation of Fingerprint and how an open-source library played an instrumental role in its inception. Pinto shares his insights on the potential of AI in fraud prevention and how his passion for entrepreneurship is driving his company forward. He's got some hard-earned wisdom to share with anyone looking to break into the payments industry. This episode is chock-full of expert knowledge, inspiring entrepreneurship, and the future of fraud prevention. Tune in for a discussion you don't want to miss.

What if you could revolutionize a centuries-old practice with the click of a button? This week on the Leaders in Payments Podcast, we take you on a thrilling journey through the digital transformation of the agricultural industry. Our esteemed guest, Jake Joraanstad, the CEO and co-founder of Bushel, shares his inspiring journey from a North Dakota farm boy to a software entrepreneur. Learn how Bushel is rewriting the rules of agriculture by digitizing farming transactions and eliminating outdated paper-based processes.

We also navigate through the maze of challenges in the farming world. From crop tracking to payment issues, technology seems poised to solve them all. Jake offers a glimpse into the future, where digital solutions are the norm, not the exception. We delve into the prospects of younger generations taking the farming reins, steering it towards further digitalization, and making the lives of farmers more efficient and convenient.

No conversation with Jake would be complete without touching upon his passion for technology and...touring cars. Discover Jake's side gig as a car racer, his experiences as a project manager, and his fervor for technology adoption. So, plug in, listen up, and get ready to explore the digital frontiers of farming with us on the Leaders in Payments Podcast.

Ever wonder how an entrepreneurial spirit combined with a computer science background can make an impact on the payments industry? Join us as we sit down with James Shepherd, CEO of CCSalesPro, who lives and breathes this synergy every day. James has an unwavering passion for sales and technology and shares his fascinating journey into the payments industry, highlighting the importance of collaboration, innovation, and the power of bringing different worlds together. Be prepared to be inspired by his personal life too, as he opens up about his faith, family, and love for podcasting.

This episode is not just about a personal journey, but it unravels the current trends shaping the payments and fintech industry. Verticalization, regulation's potential impact on interchange revenue, and alternate forms of value exchange-- we cover it all, discussing the challenges and opportunities these trends offer for ISOs and ISVs. We emphasize the importance of building personal connections and selecting the best merchant solutions amid these industry shifts. Also, James leaves us with his visionary thoughts on the future of the payments industry that promise exciting opportunities and transformative changes. So, let's tune in and explore the world of payments with James Shepherd!

What if you knew the secrets of the rapidly evolving payments and fintech landscape in Latin America? Cue Francisco León, the CEO of Bamboo Payment Systems. With a wealth of experience in finance and risk management, he shares his journey of leading a company that bridges the gap between international businesses and Latin American consumers. Bamboo Payment Systems is making strides in the payment processing industry by focusing on various sectors like gaming, ride-hailing, and streaming services. Their USP? Real-time payments and leveraging local payment methods. 

We dig into the rise of local payment methods, their challenges, and the potential tremors crypto and blockchain could cause in the region. But it's not all business - Francisco gives us a glimpse into his world outside work, from kickboxing to balancing family life. His advice for those looking to carve a career in payments? Flexibility and adaptability are key. So strap in and get ready for a whirlwind tour of Latin America's dynamic payments industry.

This episode promises an insightful journey with special guest, Danny Shader, CEO of PayNearMe. Danny shares the intriguing story of PayNearMe's rapid ascent in the payments industry, including the launch of their new product, MoneyLine, and strategic partnerships with industry giants like Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp. We delve into the impressive expansion of their cash business currently operating in 60,000 retail locations. 

We explored the fascinating evolution of payment methods, with a particular focus on the emergence of "Payments 3.0" companies. These businesses are redefining how payments are made, leveraging technology to create seamless payment experiences for consumers. Danny underscored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in this transformation, noting how it is reshaping the consumer payment experience.

One of the key insights from Danny was the continued relevance of cash payments in today's digital age. Despite the rapid digitization, there is a segment of consumers who prefer to use cash, which underscores the importance of offering a variety of payment methods to cater to different consumer preferences.

Picture a world where all transactions are so seamless, they feel non-existent. Well, that's the future of payments we're exploring today with the insightful NMI CEO, Vijay Sondhi. Promising an enlightening discussion, we dive into the realm of Anytime, Anywhere Payments. An idea that's all about eliminating the friction from payments and creating experiences that are so smooth, they feel like they never happened. We delve into the evolution of smartphone payments, looking at how these handy devices are becoming the ultimate tools for transactions. Tune in as Vijay shares how different sectors such as ISOs, ISVs, Payfacs, and banks should approach this concept for a frictionless future.

Interestingly, the influence of Gen Z on the future of payments was also discussed. Gen Z, the digital natives armed with smartphones and short attention spans, are leading the charge towards a future of frictionless payments. They demand speed, convenience, and security, which are becoming the benchmarks for payment experiences. Vijay also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, leading to a paradigm shift with card-not-present transactions becoming the new norm.

For those involved in the payments industry, this episode offers an insightful exploration into the future. It serves as a reminder to always strive to deliver the best payment experience - the one that never happened.

Ready for a deep dive into the future of payments? Our thoughtful conversation with Joshua Silver, the CEO of Rainforest, is one you won't want to miss. Rainforest helps software companies seamlessly integrate payments into their platforms, carving a niche across diverse sectors, from healthcare and field services to logistics and construction. Joshua shares the competitive edge that Rainforest provides by absorbing all the risk and liability, allowing software companies to focus on what they do best - writing software and serving their customers. This model is a significant departure from traditional payment facilitator models, and it's proving increasingly attractive to software companies.

Small businesses are no longer procuring payments from their bank, but payments are embedded in the software they use to run their business. This evolution of payment distribution has significant implications for ISOs and the industry at large. We also delve into the burgeoning arena of faster payments and alternative payment methods. Joshua underscores the cruciality of customer-centricity in the payments industry, the impact of cost-cutting measures, and the indispensability of aligning with companies that reflect your values.