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Strong partnerships and value creation can make even solid companies better!

Serving over 80% of the top digital payment and neobank fintechs on the CNBC Global Fintech list, Mastercard takes a collaborative approach to innovation. By viewing fintechs as true partners—and bringing data insights, market expertise, and solutions to the table—Mastercard helps fintechs scale by unlocking new opportunities and driving smarter decisions for better outcomes.

In today’s episode, Brett King connects with Jenique McNaught, Mastercard’s Senior Principal, Advisors & Consulting Services, UK & Ireland, and Revolut’s Fiona Davies – Head of Growth UK, Ireland & Nordics. Together, they discuss important market dynamics and the trends they see in the regions they cover.

One big takeaway is how customers want to have a meaningful relationship with their financial services provider. Trust is more than just a cool factor, it is earned through a solid track record of picking the right partner and interacting with customers in their preferred manner. Everywhere, customers are embracing innovative fintech solutions that embrace convenience and meet their changing needs, with many consumers multi-banked.

The trio then dive into Mastercard and Revolut’s exciting partnership and spotlight Revolut’s incredible growth story.
Marking a major milestone — 50M customers in less than 10 years—Revolut is celebrating and sharing its success with “Revolutionaries,” a one-of-a-kind two-day experiential event for Revolut customers, highlighting revolutionary figures who have challenged norms and pushed boundaries.

Then, the latest on bitcoin…Bitcoin has seen a 42% increase in price in just the past month, lots of crypto is up. Listen as Brett King and Henri Arslanian, author, industry expert and speaker, share thoughts on the election impact on #bitcoin and #crypto markets.

Hear about this and more in this engaging and dynamic episode!

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Interested in learning more about how Mastercard Services can help you innovate? Explore https://go.mastercardservices.com/fintech

For more about Revolut and the Revolutionaries:
https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/the-revolutionaries/

Read the entire transcript here.

Brett King introduces the episode, focusing on fintech innovation and Bitcoin’s evolving role in financial markets.

Exploration of Mastercard’s partnership with Revolut, emphasizing their efforts in enabling fintech innovation and customer trust.

Fiona Davies shares Revolut’s milestones, including the UK banking license and expansion into new markets.

Discussion on how fintechs like Revolut and Mastercard redefine trust in the digital financial ecosystem.

Analysis of Bitcoin’s dramatic price increase and the implications of a new, crypto-friendly U.S. regulatory stance.

Henry Aslanian provides insights into the global crypto landscape, focusing on institutional adoption and M&A trends.

Speculations on the future of digital currencies, stablecoins, and AI’s role in shaping autonomous financial marketplaces.

Reflections on Revolut’s impact, the role of partnerships like Mastercard, and the disruptive potential of fintech innovations.

FinovateFall Best of Show winner Themis on compliance administration and avoiding becoming a target for regulators

In this episode of Breaking Banks Europe, host Don Ginsel is joined by Geert Van Kerckhoven, CEO and Co-Founder of Oper, to discuss the transformation of mortgage lending through digitalization. They explore the evolving housing market, the challenges of making homeownership more accessible, and the role of technology in revolutionizing mortgage processes. Geert shares insights into the importance of digital property valuation, real-time underwriting, and AI-powered solutions for loan advisors. They also touch on regulatory hurdles, the impact of energy efficiency requirements, and innovations in financing, such as fractional ownership and reverse mortgages. Geert envisions a future where home financing evolves to meet the needs of an aging population and a more complex real estate market.

For more about Geert and Oper:
Geert Van Kerckhoven: LinkedIn
Oper: Website

Humanity’s largest and most complex invention is the global supply chain.  More than 2 millions companies in 118 nations participate in the supply chain via GS1, the non-profit organization that manages data standards for global trade.  Melanie Hilton of GS1 US is one of the world’s leading experts on innovation in the supply chain. She joins the Futurists to discuss the deployment of artificial intelligence, robotics, big data and digital transformation in retail, shipping, container ports, and manufacturing in every corner of the planet.

We kick off with a crossover segment featuring Fintech Takes host and fintech insider Alex Johnson, who joins Jason to break down major themes from Money20/20 2024. Together, they explore the hot topics shaping fintech right now: bank-fintech partnerships, Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), open banking (1033), and the evolving role of AI.

Alex shares highlights from his on-stage interview with CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, where they discussed the finalized 1033 rule, the ongoing legal pushback from big banks, third-party risk management, and new BaaS standards aimed at creating more balanced partnerships. The duo also dives into the rapid-fire world of AI. Is it all just hype, or are we approaching real innovation? With regulation on the rise, there’s a lot for the industry to figure out—standards, safeguards, and perhaps even a looming digital divide.

Finally, Jason wraps things up with a lively chat with Mary Wisniewski, Editor-at-Large for Cornerstone Advisors. They discuss financial therapy, Mary’s perspective on the latest 1033 updates, and even squeeze in a bit of Texas Hill Country fun. Hit play and join us for a packed episode!

Read the entire transcript here.

Brett King introduces the episode, discussing highlights from Money 2020, including insights into fintech trends and key partnerships.

A reflection on the regulatory and industry conversations around open banking and the CFPB’s finalized 1033 rule.

Insights into third-party risk management, standard-setting challenges, and the evolving dynamics of bank-fintech partnerships.

Exploring the current state of AI in financial services, separating meaningful use cases from overhyped promises.

A deep dive into regulatory implications for open banking, AI, and fintech partnerships, featuring insights from Director Chopra of the CFPB.

Analyzing how smaller banks face challenges in adopting open banking and AI, and the competitive advantages of larger institutions.

A discussion on the emerging field of financial therapy and its applications for understanding consumer behavior.

Examining the pros and cons of platforms versus point solutions in banking, with examples from the Glia conference.

Final thoughts on how banks can leverage open banking proactively rather than just complying with regulations.

In this episode of The Banker’s Bookshelf, host Paolo Sironi and guest Khrystyna Kushnir discuss insights from the IBM report, Banking for Small and Medium Enterprises: Serving the World Economy. The report highlights the evolving needs of SMEs, including access to finance, market entry, and business support, with a notable focus on technology integration. While bankers emphasize branch accessibility and app usability, SMEs seek personalized solutions, ecosystem integration, and super apps that address both banking and business needs. Key differences across regions are highlighted, such as the U.S. focus on branch access versus India’s emphasis on mobile apps, influenced by government-led digital adoption. Both bankers and SMEs agree on the value of instant payments and cash flow forecasting, while SMEs also prioritize fraud monitoring and regulatory support. The episode underscores the role of AI in risk management and invites listeners to read the report, available at: https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10c31775c8d402bb

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Khrystyna Kushnir is an Operations Officer with the International Finance Corporation’s Corporate Strategic Initiatives, Analytics, Learning, and Knowledge Management group. She initially joined IFC in 2018 as the Knowledge Management and Content Lead for the SME Finance Forum, focusing on small business research. Previously, Khrystyna held research positions at the World Bank Group, which she joined in 2010. Her earlier professional experience includes roles with the European Union, a Japanese consulting firm, and a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Khrystyna holds an M.A. in International Economic Relations from American University, where she studied as a Fulbright scholar.

Connect now: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khrystyna-kushnir/

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Paolo Sironi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepsironi/

This week we have an extraordinary show. Chief Tashka Yawanawa, of the Yawanawa tribe in the heart of the Acre River region in the Amazon rainforest joins Brett King to talk the effects of climate change and deforestation happening today in the world’s largest rainforest. The Yawanawa tribe are custodians of over 400 Hectares of Amazonian land and we get to hear first hand. If you have any doubt in your mind that climate change is impacting the planet, this is one you must listen to with an open mind. 

How can merchants take control of their finances and fuel growth directly through their commerce platform? This week, Shopify unveils Shopify Finance, a powerful new hub that unifies financial tools for merchants directly within the Shopify admin and mobile app. In this episode of Breaking Banks, Brett King sits down with Vikram Anreddy, Head of Product, Financial Services for Shopify, to break down how Shopify Finance empowers merchants to manage their business, cash flow, and make strategic decisions on-the-go.

From Shopify Capital, offering flexible growth loans for merchants and lower costs for faster repayment, to Shopify Balance and Bill Pay for better cash management, Shopify Finance brings a comprehensive suite of tools to merchants. With Shopify Credit—a Visa card with 3% cashback on business purchases—and Shopify Tax for simplified tax compliance, this hub offers a complete view of financial health anytime, anywhere.

Good things in store!

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Define your career in fintech with a Masters of Science in Fintech, NYU Stern
To learn more stern.nyu.edu/MSFT-BreakingBanks

Read the entire transcript here.

Brett King and Jason Henricks introduce the episode, highlighting the intersection of fintech and e-commerce with Shopify as the centerpiece.

Vikram Anredi, Head of Product for Financial Services at Shopify, shares his career journey from engineering to building products that empower entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Discussion on how Shopify supports creators and influencers with easy-to-use tools for setting up merchandising stores and monetizing their online presence.

Vikram explains Shopify Finance, a suite of financial services integrated within the Shopify platform, designed to simplify money management for merchants.

An exploration of the difficulties small businesses face in accessing banking services and how Shopify Finance is addressing these challenges through tailored offerings like Shopify Balance and Shopify Capital.

How Shopify uses its data and technology to offer customized credit solutions and manage risk, with examples of merchants scaling their businesses with Shopify Capital.

Details on Shopify’s tools for automating complex tasks like sales tax management and bill payments, making operations seamless for merchants.

Discussion about the potential of AI to enhance financial services and support for merchants, including current tools like Sidekick and future plans for more AI-driven insights.

A reflection on the growing importance of platforms like Shopify in the SME banking space, where embedded finance offers a seamless experience compared to traditional banks.

Final reflections on Shopify’s mission to empower merchants and the broader implications for the fintech and e-commerce ecosystem.

FinovateFall Best of Show winner CardLift on opportunities coming from payment through browser extensions

In Episode 252 of News From the Fintech Front, host Roberto Capodieci is joined by fintech expert Devie Mohan, co-founder and CEO of Burnmark, known for her influential research and advocacy for bank-startup collaboration. Together, they explore the UK’s dominance in European fintech, capturing 65% of deals despite reduced funding, with highlights from Monzo’s $5.9 billion valuation. Topics include Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) focused on decentralization and privacy, alongside AI data privacy concerns due to unconsented data usage. They also discuss AI’s transformative impact on banking roles and Hong Kong’s recent virtual asset platform expansions, marking its ambition as a digital finance hub. This episode offers an insightful look into the innovations, challenges, and regulatory shifts shaping fintech today.

Connect with Devie Mohan: