FinTech Futures

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151

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Aug 2026

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FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. You can find worldwide fintech news, intelligence & analysis at https://fintechfutures.com.

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August 27, 202647 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 17 | The future of financial inclusion in the US with Commonwealth CEO Timothy Flacke

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Timothy Flacke, co-founder and CEO of Commonwealth, to explore the critical work of advancing financial inclusion for families and individuals in the US, and how Commonwealth has been at the forefront of testing and scaling innovative solutions to help consumers build financial security. With Commonwealth celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Timothy discusses how the organisation's approach has evolved since its founding in 2001, its most significant accomplishments over the past quarter century, and why this anniversary is as much about preparing for the future as it is about celebrating past successes. The conversation also examines the evolving landscape of financial security, including the work Commonwealth is doing in the space to support consumers, what the broader industry needs to do to help further advance financial inclusion, and the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies such as agentic and generative AI. Finally, Timothy and Paul discuss Commonwealth's Vision 2027, exploring the strategic priorities that will guide the organisation's work and its plans for the next generation of inclusive financial products. Tune in to hear how 25 years of innovation and collaboration are shaping the next generation of financial inclusion for people across the US. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

August 12, 202623 min

Agentic commerce: How American Express is building the future of AI-driven payments

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Margaret Ryan, SVP and Head of Product for Amex Digital Labs, to explore the rapidly developing world of agentic commerce and agentic payments and how American Express is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution. Margaret discusses the current state of play with agentic commerce today, unpacking the benefits the technology offers for both consumers and merchants, and takes a deep dive into the ACE Developer Kit that Amex launched earlier this year, explaining the vision behind this framework and how it's designed to help merchants navigate this fundamental shift in how transactions happen. The conversation also covers the debate around trust and consumer confidence when it comes to agentic commerce—asking whether people will fully trust AI agents to spend their money and what safeguards need to be in place to make that leap possible. Margaret and Paul also look ahead at how agentic payments will transform the consumer experience over the next few years, what role American Express will play as AI agents become the primary transaction interface, and what other agentic AI innovations are in the pipeline at Amex. Tune in to hear how one of the world's leading payment networks is building the infrastructure for an AI-agent-driven future of commerce. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

July 28, 202629 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 15 | Managing fraud and credit risk in the AI era with Equifax

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Seth Moran, SVP, General Manager of Digital Banking and Strategic Markets at Equifax, to explore the evolving landscape of fraud and credit risk. Seth explains how synthetic fraud is exploiting new entry points through deposit accounts, how AI has dramatically lowered the barrier for fraudsters to create sophisticated synthetic identities, and why financial institutions may be struggling to accurately classify losses between fraud and credit risk. The conversation also covers how Equifax is helping banks build a more complete view of the customer by integrating fraud and credit risk assessment across the entire lifecycle, and how AI is enabling institutions to drive operational efficiencies while strengthening their defences. Finally, Paul and Seth look ahead at the emerging trends shaping the industry and what risk leaders should be prioritising as we move through 2026. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

July 16, 202625 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 14 | Building ChimeCore: How Chime developed its own banking infrastructure

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Ryan King, co-founder of US fintech Chime, to learn more about Chime's development and deployment of ChimeCore, its proprietary core banking platform. Ryan discusses the factors that drove the decision to build rather than buy, how the team successfully migrated more than 9 million members without any downtime, and the key lessons learned along the way. The conversation also covers how owning the entire tech stack is accelerating Chime's ability to deploy AI and machine learning at scale, the tangible benefits this is delivering to customers, and what this means for the competitive landscape between fintechs and traditional banks. Beyond ChimeCore itself, Paul and Ryan also take a closer look at how AI is fundamentally reshaping banking operations and customer experiences, and what new possibilities emerge when you combine modern infrastructure with emerging AI capabilities. Tune in to hear how Chime is redefining what's possible in banking by building its own core infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of AI. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

July 8, 202633 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 13 | Reimagining regional banking in the US with AI

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Jude Melville, CEO of b1BANK, to explore how US regional banks are actively embracing AI to compete in an increasingly technology-driven industry. Jude discusses how b1BANK, the largest Louisiana-headquartered regional bank by assets with a significant and growing presence in Texas, is developing its AI strategy, including its partnership with Covecta on agentic AI implementation, and how the bank is navigating the practical challenges of embedding AI into workflows while measuring ROI and managing the cultural shift required to bring teams along on this journey. The conversation also covers the competitive landscape for regional banks, discussing how institutions like b1BANK can innovate against national banks with significantly larger technology budgets, and the delicate balance between moving fast with new technology and managing risk in a heavily regulated industry. Tune in to discover how b1BANK is turning AI into a competitive advantage in the regional banking arena.

June 24, 202626 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 12 | Preparing for a multi-money future: NatWest on the digital asset revolution

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, recorded live at Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Lee McNabb, Payment and Digital Asset Lead at NatWest, to explore the growing role of digital assets in payments and financial services, and how banks such as NatWest are positioning themselves to lead in this rapidly evolving landscape. Paul and Lee discuss how banks should approach their payment strategies in an era of multiple payment rails and emerging technologies like stablecoins, what the mainstream adoption of tokenised deposits and programmable payments could mean for both retail and corporate customers, and the technical challenges of modernising legacy infrastructure while maintaining 24/7 availability. The conversation also covers NatWest's digital asset strategy, including their participation in major UK and international pilots, how the bank is managing the balance between innovation and interoperability, and their approach to building customer confidence and literacy in technologies that many people don't yet understand. Whether you're a banking executive navigating digital transformation, a fintech professional exploring the future of payments, or simply curious about how digital assets will reshape the way money moves, this episode offers essential insights into the strategies, challenges, and opportunities defining the next era of financial services. Tune in to hear how one of the UK's leading banks is preparing for a multi-money future. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

June 10, 202628 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 11 | Blockchain, stablecoins, and cross-border payments: Inside Ripple's European expansion

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Cassie Craddock, Managing Director for UK and Europe at Ripple, to explore the work Ripple is doing to transform cross-border payments through blockchain technology and stablecoins and learn more about the company’s expansion plans. Paul and Cassie discuss how Ripple's recent EMI licences in the UK and Luxembourg are positioning the company for significant growth across European markets, and what these regulatory milestones mean for clients and partnerships in the region. The conversation also covers the growing role of stablecoins in cross-border transactions, examining the advantages they offer over traditional methods, and how Ripple's USD stablecoin fits into the company's broader vision. And finally, we find out what fintech buzzword Cassie wants to throw into our Fintech Jail! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

May 27, 202635 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 10 | Agentic AI in finance - innovation, security, and trust

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President of Financial Services at Microsoft, to explore how agentic AI is being developed and deployed in financial services, and the impact it’s having on innovation, security, and governance in the sector. The conversation delves into the trends shaping the development of agentic AI and the challenges of deploying it responsibly in such a highly regulated sector. Paul and Bill also discuss Microsoft’s recent Cyber Pulse report, which highlights risks like "shadow AI" and the importance of governance, observability, and Zero Trust principles. Bill shares how financial institutions are leading the way in implementing these safeguards, the lessons other industries can learn, and how collaboration with regulators and technology providers is driving progress. The discussion also covers real-world applications of AI agents in areas such as fraud detection, customer service, and operations, before finishing with a look at what’s next for AI agents in financial services and how organisations can prepare for the future. And finally, we find out what fintech buzzword Bill wants to throw into our Fintech Jail! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

May 13, 202629 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 9 | What’s next for Europe’s payments ecosystem? – Tech trends, evolving regulations, and the sovereignty debate

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures Managing Editor Paul Hindle is joined by Simone Löfgen, Global Head of Payment Platforms at Commerzbank, to explore the key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the payments industry in 2026. The conversation covers the current state of play with payments in Europe, the impact of evolving regulations, and the opportunities and challenges in cross-border transactions, including the role of stablecoins and the future of CBDCs like the digital euro. Paul and Simone also discuss how AI is transforming payments, from enhancing systems to combating fraud, and how Commerzbank is leveraging this technology, as well as how banks can balance customer expectations for fast, secure, and transparent payments with the growing complexity of payment infrastructures. We also hear Simone’s thoughts on what’s next for the industry and what the growing conversation around payments sovereignty might mean for the future of the European payments ecosystem. And finally, we find out what fintech buzzword Simone wants to throw into our Fintech Jail! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures

April 29, 202625 min

What the FinTech? | S.7 Episode 8 | Beyond the hype – what’s next for stablecoins?

In this episode of the What the FinTech? podcast, host and FinTech Futures managing editor Paul Hindle is joined by René Michau, Global Head of Digital Assets at Standard Chartered Bank, to explore the growing impact of stablecoins in financial services and their potential to reshape key areas of banking and payments. The conversation covers the current state of play with stablecoin adoption in banking, their rising popularity among corporates and institutions, and the benefits they can offer—particularly in cross-border payments. Beyond payments, René also gives his views on the other key use cases gaining traction and how Standard Chartered is integrating stablecoins into its digital asset strategy. Paul and René also discuss the current regulatory landscape around stablecoins, the key considerations banks should focus on when developing an effective stablecoin strategy, and of course what’s next for stablecoin innovation, including how they’re likely to evolve in the coming years, their impact on traditional banking models, and the innovations and partnerships that will shape their trajectory. And finally, we find out what fintech buzzword René wants to throw into our Fintech Jail! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT FINTECH FUTURES FinTech Futures is the #1 provider of global fintech news and intelligence. With a mission to empower the financial technology community, we bring you the latest updates and thought leadership from across the industry. From startups to established players, we cover the entire fintech ecosystem. Stay Connected with FinTech Futures: Visit our website: www.fintechfutures.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fintechfutures/ Sign up to our newsletter: www.fintechfutures.com/newsletter Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@FinTechFutures