One Vision Podcast — Fintech, Banking, and AI with Theodora Lau

In this episode of One Vision, host Theo welcomes Pamela Villanova, VP of Digital Banking at American Eagle Financial Credit Union. They discuss the credit union's major milestone in conducting a digital banking conversion and the multi-year journey it entailed. Pam shares insights into the strategic focus they adopted, emphasizing user experience, data utilization, and the importance of partnerships. The conversation also delves into broader industry trends, such as the rapid adoption of AI and blockchain, and the importance of human connection and adaptability in the face of accelerating change. Tune in to learn about the future of digital banking and how to balance the diverse member needs and innovation.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:17 Digital Banking Conversion Journey

04:01 Strategic Focus and Challenges

06:56 Lessons Learned and Industry Insights

10:44 Balancing Member Needs and Innovation

19:28 Future Challenges and Opportunities

30:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#AI #FinancialServices #BankingIndustry #DigitalTransformation #Innovation 

Find Pamela Villanova on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-villanova/  

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, Theo is joined by Alex Matjanec, founder and CEO of Wysh, and Jim Perry, an advocate for financial inclusivity. The trio delve into how institutions can offer real value and build trust with customers by embedding financial protection into everyday banking. Jim and Alex also discuss the broader implications of financial literacy and the efforts of The National Alliance for Financial Literacy and Inclusion (NAFLI) to bridge gaps in financial education.  Innovation and inclusion aren't separate paths — tune in and be inspired to go beyond good.  

00:00 Founder’s Inspiration

05:48 The Importance of Embedded Insurance

27:59 The Role of Financial Literacy and Inclusion

34:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

📍Hot Take: “There's so much more that could be done to improve the financial wellness of consumers around the United States and around the world.”

#FinancialServices #BankingIndustry #FinancialInclusion #TechForGood #EmbeddedFinance 

Find Alex Matjanec on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexmatjanec/ 

Find Jim Perry on on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperry/  

🔗About Wysht: https://venturebeat.com/author/louis-columbus 

🔗About NAFLI: https://www.nafli.org/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, Theo chats with Louis Columbus, a prominent columnist for VentureBeat, about his work at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. They discuss the rapid pace of AI development, the concept of shadow AI, and the importance of learning and intellectual growth. Additionally, they delve into the role of AI in writing and its impact on research. Louis also shares his thoughts on how to prepare the next generation for a tech-driven future, emphasizing the importance of parental support and using AI as a tool to enhance skills and competitiveness. Tune in for an enriching conversation that spans from technical writing and professional insights to parenting.

📍Hot Take: “ You look at data across a landscape, the landscape is almost like a painting. And the data are the colors in the painting and it tells you a story.” 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

03:23 Exploring AI and Cybersecurity

09:40 The Importance of Data Storytelling

18:31 Advice for the Next Generation

Find Louis Columbus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiscolumbus/ 

🔗Articles by Louis Columbus on VentureBeat: https://venturebeat.com/author/louis-columbus 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

#AI #DigitalTransformation #CyberSecurity

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, we welcome Wayne Miller, EVP, Chief Innovation Officer at ICBA, for an insightful conversation on the importance of community banks and evolution of fintech partnerships. Wayne shares his personal journey into the financial services industry and his passion for improving financial lives. The discussion touches on the challenges and opportunities in a digitally evolving landscape, including the roles of technology, AI, and payments. 

Tune in to hear Wayne's thoughts on the future of banking and his perspective on the biggest shifts in community banking.

00:00 Introduction

01:42 Reflecting on the Past Decade

03:25 The Spirit of Community Banking

05:30 The Art of Matchmaking in FinTech

06:22 Evolution of Bank-FinTech Partnerships

14:42 The Role of AI and Technology in Banking

22:37 Future of Payments and Financial Services

28:59 Community Banks and Financial Wellness

32:30 Predictions and Reflections for the Future

📍Hot Take: "Community banks are a critical part of the infrastructure and the vertebrae of this country."

Find Wayne Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-miller-2212a974/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, we welcome Sean Scott, SVP Partnership & Personalization at U.S. Bank, to discuss the evolution of digital banking, and the intersection of innovation and execution. The conversation dives into Sean's journey in leading digital transformation initiatives at the bank and being customer obsessed. Sean shares his insights on the importance of blending technology and human elements, and the role of AI. We also explore the dynamics of FinTech partnerships and their potential to multiply value for customers. Tune in to learn how to be the true champion of the customer in the digital era.

#AI #Fintech #FinancialServices #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #Leadership 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:35 Sean's Background and Role at US Bank

03:40 Key Lessons and A-Ha Moments in Digital Banking

09:32 Empathy and Customer-Centric Approach

16:18 Partnerships Between Banks and FinTechs

20:54 Future Technologies and Their Impact

📍Hot Take: Who will be the Doordash of financial services? 

Find Sean Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanoscott/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, Theo hosts Priya Gore, General Manager and Head of Cloud and AI Platform Solutions for US Financial Services at Microsoft, where they explore the expanded role of CFOs and impact of AI. Gore dispels common myths about AI, emphasizing its democratization and responsible usage. She highlights the importance of organizational readiness and the future of AI-driven work environments. The conversation underscores how AI can transform businesses, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation, urging leaders to embrace AI thoughtfully and strategically.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:07 Impact of AI on CFOs and Finance Teams

04:27 Addressing Myths and Pitfalls of AI

05:54 AI in Regulated Industries

08:19 AI-First Leadership and Organizational Change

10:14 Future of Work and AI Agents

14:06 Democratizing AI and Final Thoughts

#AI #FinancialServices #CFO #FutureOfWork #Innovation #MSFTAmbassador

📍Hot Take: If you take the technology off the table and just ideate about where do we want to bring more value to our business or to our clients and our stakeholders, those are usually the winning places to get started with AI.

Find Priya Gore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyagore/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision podcast, we sit down with Pete Chapman, CTO of Grasshopper Bank, discussing the bank's innovative approach to digital banking, the integration of AI in their operations, and the importance of culture. We explore the evolving landscape of business banking, the challenges faced by small businesses, and the future of digital lending and money movement. Pete shares insights on how Grasshopper Bank aims to bridge the gap between fintech and traditional banking, emphasizing the need for a collaborative ecosystem to enhance customer experience by leveraging cutting edge technology.

📍Hot Take: "We are nothing without our people."

00:00 Meet Pete Chapman: CTO of Grasshopper Bank

05:57 Grasshopper Bank's Digital Strategy

09:53 AI Strategy and Implementation at Grasshopper

13:44 Internal AI Success and Future Plans

30:36 Partnering for Technological Innovation

39:18 Future Trends in Business Banking

#AI #FinTech #FinancialServices #SmallBusiness #BankingIndustry #BankingOnAI #Innovation 

Find Peter Chapman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-chapman-3768908/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, we sit down with Allison Cerra, Chief Marketing Officer at Alkami, to explore how anticipatory banking moves financial services beyond personalization into prediction. 

The conversation dives into the evolution of consumer technology in financial services, drawing parallels with the music industry, and highlights the importance of personalization and hyper-personalization at scale. They explore how AI and behavioral data are transforming the banking experience, the significance of the $84 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer, and the implications for regional and community financial institutions. Join Allison and Theo for a dynamic discussion on the challenges and opportunities in creating a better digital banking experience for all generations.

#AI #Fintech #FinancialServices #BankingIndustry #AnticipatoryBanking 

📍Hot Take: What I hope to see is more deposits going from Wall Street to Main Street. I hope to see vibrant communities that continue to flourish.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:30 Revisiting CoLab and Generational Trends

01:08 Understanding Anticipatory Banking

01:55 The Evolution of Digital Banking

11:25 Generational Wealth Transfer and Its Impact

21:35 The Role of AI and Behavioral Data

23:51 Future of Financial Institutions

29:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find Allison Cerra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acerra/ 

🔗About Alkami: https://www.alkami.com/ 

🔗About Anticipatory Banking: https://www.alkami.com/anticipatory-banking/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of One Vision, we welcome Martyna Lewinska, a seasoned technologist, startup advisor, and mentor. Martyna shares her extensive experience in building tech organizations, supporting founders as a fractional CTO, and launching successful products. We discuss the responsibilities and challenges of being a founder, the importance of execution, and the current landscape of implementing emerging technologies like AI. Martyna shares her insights into how companies can effectively adopt new technologies and the transformative opportunities that exist in financial institutions' use of AI. Tune in for a deep dive into the multifaceted world of technology and entrepreneurship.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:46 Martyna's Background and Journey

01:42 Building and Launching Products

05:02 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

06:01 Challenges and Misconceptions of Founders

10:41 Implementing Emerging Technologies

15:01 Fraud Detection and Financial Crime

17:58 Cultural Differences in Tech Adoption

22:27 Looking Back and Looking Forward 

🔥Hot take: Just do it!

#AI #Fintech #CTO #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startup 

**

About Martyna Lewinska: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martynalewinska/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of One Vision, we welcome Stessa Cohen, Jim Perry, and Efi Pylarinou to the show as they celebrate the inception and evolution of the FinTech Book Club. 

We went back in time to two years ago when a panel at Finovate inspired the creation of the book club, which aims to foster community and disseminate thought leadership through reading and discussion. Our friends share their special moments from the past two years and review some of the impactful books they've read. We also discuss emerging trends in FinTech, including AI and stablecoins. 

What’s on everyone’s reading list? What to expect at the upcoming Finovate panel on Sept 7th and the next Fintech Book Club LinkedIn Live event on Sept 9th? Tune in now and join the conversation.

🔥Hot take: “ These books are all interconnected.”

Tune in to Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube for the full conversation. 

#AI #Fintech #Books #Finovate

00:00 Introduction and Special Guests

00:58 The Birth of the FinTech Book Club

02:45 Building Community Through Books

05:04 Impact of Industry-Specific Books

09:31 Engaging with Authors and Special Moments

17:11 Future Book Club Reads and Industry Trends

22:49 Upcoming Finovate and Final Thoughts

**

About Fintech Book Club: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechbookclub/about/ 

About Stessa Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stessacohen/ 

About Jim Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasperry/ 

About Efi Pylarinou: https://www.linkedin.com/in/efipylarinou/ 

Find Theodora Lau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

🔗My latest book: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence: https://www.bankingonaibook.com/ 

🔗About Unconventional Ventures and the One Vision Podcast: https://www.unconventionalventures.com/ 

One Vision Podcast is a fintech, banking, and AI podcast hosted by Theodora Lau (Founder, Unconventional Ventures; author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence). One Vision goes beyond the headlines on AI, agentic commerce, digital banking, financial inclusion, and the future of money — with founders, analysts, venture capitalists, technologists, and operators building the next chapter of financial services. New episodes weekly. Featured guests include leaders from Ant, bunq, J.D. Power, Forrester, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAS, SAP, and Wall Street Journal. Recognized in American Banker's Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.