Wrestling Payments is a podcast for professionals working at banks, credit unions, and FinTechs who are responsible for managing ACH and payment operations. In each episode, members of NEACH guide conversations to help professionals examine the challenges of modernizing payment operations. Ultimately, the stories uncovered through guest interviews and solo episodes will highlight industry trends and identify how organizations can build their payment operations for the future.
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May 27, 2026Episode 438 min
The Fintech Regulation Cage Match
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)Understanding the Future of Fintech Regulation: The Cage Match BeginsIn this episode of Wrestling Payments, Joe Casali dives into the recent executive order that aims to overhaul fintech regulation. As the landscape shifts, understanding how regulation affects fintech firms, banking partnerships, and consumer protections becomes critical for industry participants and observers alike.In this episode:The core aspects of the May 19th executive order titled "Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks"The current fragmented regulatory environment and the gaps fintechs faceHow executive orders influence regulatory change and the potential scenarios that could unfoldThe implications of direct access to Federal Reserve accounts for non-banksThe disparities across states in regulating fintechs and their consumer protectionsThe potential impacts of the new framework on bank partnerships and the overall payment infrastructureKey questions for the industry moving forward: participant categories, due diligence, dispute resolution, and failure protocolsResources & Links:Federal Reserve, Executive Order on Financial TechnologyNACHA Operating RulesThe Geniuses ActOCC Fintech Charter InitiativesPACE Act OverviewWhite House Executive OrderConnect with Joe Casali:LinkedInStay tuned for future episodes as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, shaping the future of fintech and payments.
April 10, 2026Episode 325 min
FedNow Goes Global: How Proposed Reg J Changes Could Enable Cross-Border Instant Payments
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)Episode DescriptionThe Federal Reserve just proposed changes to Regulation J that would allow FedNow participants to designate intermediary banks — opening the door for cross-border payments over FedNow for the first time.Joe Casali breaks down what the rule actually changes, how the domestic and international legs of a cross-border FedNow payment would work, and why this might be the moment ISO 20022 finally proves its value. He covers the competitive implications for Fedwire, the BSA/AML screening challenges of real-time international transactions within a 20-second timeout window, and what community banks and credit unions on FedNow should be thinking about right now.The 60-day comment period begins April 10, 2026. If your institution has a perspective on this proposed rulemaking, now is the time to make your voice heard.References: Federal Reserve Proposed Rulemaking — Docket No. R-1891, RIN 7100-AH23 | Regulation J, Subpart C — 12 CFR Part 210 | Submit comments at federalreserve.gov/apps/proposals | FedNow Operating Procedures v3.5 (February 2026)
March 18, 2026Episode 226 min
Conversations from The Clearing House Conference
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)Episode SummaryIn this episode of Wrestling Payments, host Joe Casali sits down with Phil Robin, SVP of Strategy at The Clearing House. They explore how financial institutions are approaching the challenges of modernizing payment operations, with a focus on risk, governance, and the rapid pace of change in new technologies.Phil shares his perspective on the importance of building strong governance around artificial intelligence, noting that a clear framework helps institutions manage both cultural and operational risks as they introduce new tools. He highlights the varied approaches that banks take, shaped by their unique priorities and use cases, and stresses that inaction is often the greater risk as AI becomes more integrated into payment processes.The conversation moves to emerging topics like stablecoin, tokenized deposits, and the steady growth of real-time payments (RTP). Phil explains how shifting regulatory clarity and evolving customer needs are driving experimentation, especially in areas like business-to-business and consumer-to-business payments. He points to the ongoing expansion of RTP and the need for broad acceptance to reach true scale, encouraging payment leaders to keep their eyes on both innovation and fundamentals.Guest-at-a-glance💡 Name: Phil Robin 💡 What he does: SVP, Strategy 💡 Company: The Clearing House 💡 Noteworthy: Guides strategy projects focused on payments innovation, governance, and risk, with deep expertise in real-time payments and industry modernization. 💡 Where to find him:https://www.linkedin.com/in/philrobin1/Key InsightsFocus on Governance First When Adopting AIStrong governance is the foundation of responsible AI adoption in payments. Before diving into the promise of artificial intelligence, organizations must set clear rules and accountability. This means building frameworks around data security, transparency, and risk appetite to ensure any AI use aligns with institutional priorities. When banks and payment providers define the “rules of the road” early, they give staff and leadership confidence to experiment and scale new tools. Governance also helps ease cultural resistance by making the organization’s approach to AI visible and consistent. With guardrails in place, teams can better focus on the practical benefits of AI—like automating manual tasks or unlocking growth opportunities—without losing sight of the risks. The key takeaway: don’t treat governance as an afterthought or a compliance hurdle. Make it the starting point for any serious AI strategy in payments.Instant Payments Will Scale Through Use Case DiversityReal-time payments (RTP) have moved from concept to reality, but true growth hinges on solving a wide range of business needs. Volume keeps hitting new records, yet the next wave of adoption will depend on how RTP addresses complex problems, especially in areas like business-to-business and healthcare payments. Each segment brings unique challenges around data, timing, and control. For example, B2B payments often involve detailed invoices and reconciliation, while brokerage transfers demand speed and confirmation. As more financial institutions explore RTP for these distinct cases, the network’s value and reach will expand. Building for use case diversity ensures that RTP is not just a faster way to pay, but a flexible tool that adapts to industry-specific workflows. Payment professionals should keep looking for unmet needs—these are where RTP can deliver the most impact and drive long-term adoption.Stablecoin and Tokenization: Navigating Fast-Moving TerrainThe landscape for stablecoin and tokenized deposits is evolving quickly, creating both urgency and uncertainty for banks. Regulatory changes, like recent national trust charter approvals, h
March 5, 2026Episode 255 min
Washington Update
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)Episode SummaryWrestling Payments kicks off 2026 with a trip to the Hill. Host Joe Casali sits down with William Sullivan, Associate Managing Director of Government and Industry Relations at Nacha, for a wide-ranging Washington update on the policies shaping the future of payments.William breaks down the latest twists in open banking rulemaking—including a potential reversal on whether financial institutions can charge for data access—and explains why stablecoin legislation remains gridlocked between banking and crypto interests. He offers a candid look at the political dynamics slowing progress on the Clarity Act, cannabis banking, and check reduction efforts, showing how competing priorities and election-year pressures keep even common-sense reforms stuck in neutral.Throughout the conversation, William emphasizes that advocacy and engagement aren't optional—payment professionals need to understand these shifts and make their voices heard before the rules are written.Guest-at-a-GlanceWilliam Sullivan Associate Managing Director, Government & Industry Relations, Nacha Leads Nacha's advocacy and industry relations efforts, delivering actionable insights on ACH network policy, payment regulation, and legislative developments affecting financial institutions. www.nacha.org To hear this episode and many more like it, listen here or subscribe to Wrestling Payments on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. For show notes, transcripts, and other resources visit www.wrestlingpayments.com.Host: Joe Casali, EVP, NEACH #wrestlingpayments #wrestlingpaymentspodcast #paymentspodcast
February 11, 2026Episode 2641 min
The OCC Charter Loophole: An Illegal Hold on Community Banking?
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)Episode SummaryWrestling Payments kicks off 2026 with a critical conversation. Host Joe Casali is joined by Brian Laverdure and Mickey Marshall from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) to unpack the growing regulatory gap between fintechs and traditional banking. As non-banks rapidly expand into mortgage lending and payments, community institutions face an uneven playing field—and the stakes are rising fast.Mickey breaks down how the OCC's National Trust Bank charter has become a backdoor for crypto companies to issue stablecoins without standard bank supervision, FDIC insurance, or community reinvestment obligations. Brian walks through the legislative landscape and explains why the current rulemaking race will define the future competitive environment for community banks. Together, they paint a sobering picture: if deposits migrate from local banks to stablecoin wallets, the capital that funds small business loans, mortgages, and local economic growth disappears with them.This episode is a must-listen for anyone in community banking or payments. The message is clear—education and advocacy aren't optional anymore.Guests-at-a-GlanceBrian Laverdure Vice President, Payments and Technology Policy, ICBA Specializes in digital asset policy and cross-border payment frameworks for community institutions. LinkedIn Mickey Marshall Vice President and Regulatory Counsel, ICBA Legal expert navigating payments regulation, novel bank charters, and cryptocurrency regulatory challenges. LinkedIn To hear this episode and many more like it, listen here or subscribe to Wrestling Payments on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. For show notes, transcripts, and other resources visit www.wrestlingpayments.com.Host: Joe Casali, EVP, NEACH #wrestlingpayments #wrestlingpaymentspodcast #paymentspodcast
November 19, 2025Episode 2544 min
Building a Stablecoin Strategy: Steve Wasserman and Larry Pruss Weigh In
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)Episode Summary In this episode of Wrestling Payments, Joe Casali sits down with Steve Wasserman of Vments and Larry Pruss of Strategic Resource Management for an urgent conversation about the seismic shifts happening in payments right now. Stablecoins and tokenized deposits aren't coming—they're here, and they're already pulling deposits away from traditional institutions. Steve breaks down the critical differences between these technologies and why full-reserve models are creating both new opportunities and existential threats for banks and credit unions. Larry shares eye-opening data on deposit outflows and explains why institutions can't afford to wait while new players capture customer relationships. The conversation tackles practical challenges head-on, from building acceptance networks to preventing costly user mistakes, and explores how QR codes and programmable money are about to transform the payment experience. This episode is a wake-up call: the time to develop your digital asset strategy isn't someday—it's now.Guests-at-a-Glance Steve Wasserman Founder and CEO, Vments A leading voice in digital currencies and payments infrastructure, helping financial institutions navigate the strategic complexities of stablecoins and emerging payment technologies. LinkedInLarry Pruss Senior Vice President, Digital Assets Advisory Services, SRM (Strategic Resource Management) A strategic advisor guiding banks and credit unions through the digital assets landscape with practical, regulatory-ready approaches to emerging payment trends. LinkedInKey InsightsThe Deposit Battle Is Already Underway Financial institutions are losing deposits to stablecoins and digital asset platforms at an alarming rate—in some cases, 3% per month. This isn't a future threat; it's happening now. Stablecoins operate on full-reserve models with public blockchain transparency, offering speed and efficiency that attract businesses and consumers alike. Traditional institutions that viewed competition as coming only from other banks are now facing deposit outflows to fintechs and digital platforms that operate with fewer intermediaries. The competitive landscape has fundamentally shifted, and institutions must develop new strategies to retain customers and stay relevant in this digital-first payments world.Strategy First, Adoption Second The pressure to launch stablecoin products or tokenized deposit services is intense, but rushing in without a clear strategy leads to wasted resources and customer confusion. The winning approach starts with understanding user needs, building acceptance networks, and establishing the right partnerships before launching anything. Institutions need to map out how payments will be accepted, integrate with wallet providers, and ensure smooth conversion between digital assets and traditional money. This methodical planning manages risk, supports compliance, and prevents customers from defecting to better-prepared competitors. In this rapidly evolving space, strategic groundwork separates sustainable growth from expensive mistakes.QR Codes and Programmable Money Are the Future Interface The next generation of payments is being built on secure QR standards and programmable money. Technologies like X9 QR codes let users pay across multiple rails—ACH, instant payments, cards, or wallets—with a single scan. This streamlines the customer experience while enabling programmable features like automated refunds and conditional payments that eliminate manual intervention.
October 23, 2025Episode 2428 min
Locked In or Moving Forward: Rethinking Core Renewals
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Wrestling Payments, host Joe Casali sits down with Rich Carty from Remedy to dig into the realities of core technology contracts in banking and payments. Rich shares how financial institutions weigh tough choices when locked into long-term vendor agreements and why early planning is critical. He explains how most banks only revisit core contracts every few years, often finding themselves committed to outdated solutions for longer than they expect.Rich points out that new technology and artificial intelligence are top of mind for many leaders. He sees demand for AI solutions rising fast, but notes that organizations remain cautious, balancing the urge to innovate with the need to avoid early missteps. Rich encourages institutions to seek advice, gather input from all departments, and focus on due diligence before making changes.Throughout the conversation, Rich uses real stories to show the value of reviewing contracts and staying proactive. He highlights how the right approach can free up resources, improve vendor relationships, and help organizations adapt as the payments industry evolves.GUEST-AT-A-GLANCEName: Rich Carty What he does: Vice President, Business Development Company: RemedyNoteworthy: Rich helps banks and credit unions review, negotiate, and optimize technology vendor contracts, with a focus on core systems, renewals, and technology transitions. Where to find him:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-carty-24918918KEY INSIGHTSStart Contract Planning Three Years AheadLong-term vendor contracts shape how banks operate, often locking in core systems for up to a decade. Early planning is the best way to avoid getting stuck with outdated technology or unfavorable terms. Financial institutions that want options—like switching vendors or just negotiating a better deal—need to start the process two to three years before their current contract expires. This timeline accounts for vendor schedules, internal reviews, and the complexity of core system transitions. By moving early, organizations protect themselves from last-minute decisions and keep leverage at the table. The approach also gives teams time to gather input across departments and align technology with business goals. In a fast-moving payments landscape, a proactive timeline is the difference between staying ahead and falling behind.Due Diligence Uncovers Savings and Prevents RegretA thorough review of technology contracts can reveal hidden costs and new opportunities. Even long-standing vendor relationships deserve a second look, as loyalty doesn’t always mean the best price or terms. With due diligence, organizations spot gaps, compare options, and often negotiate better deals. This process can free up resources for growth, support new projects, or make room for future upgrades. Relying on familiarity or letting contracts auto-renew leads to missed savings and limits flexibility. By treating every renewal or transition as a strategic decision, financial institutions protect their budgets and set themselves up for smarter, more agile operations.
October 9, 2025Episode 2326 min
Jordan Thaeler on Merchant Choice and the True Cost of Payments
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Wrestling Payments, host Joe Casali sits down with Jordan Thaeler to explore how embedded payments lock merchants into costly, inflexible systems. Jordan explains why many software providers bundle payment services with their core products, leaving merchants with few choices and rising costs. He shares how this model drives up payment fees over time while reducing merchant leverage and support.Jordan describes the risks of a market where software and payments are tied together. He uses examples like Toast and Shopify to show how merchants often pay much more than the market average, with little transparency or recourse. As more processing volume moves to embedded payments, Jordan argues that choice and competition are critical for a healthier payments ecosystem.The conversation turns to dual pricing models and the global push for bank-to-bank payments. Jordan makes the case for more options and education, so merchants are no longer “hostages” to their software providers.GUEST-AT-A-GLANCEName: Jordan Thaeler What he does: Co-Founder Company: POS+ Noteworthy: Known for exposing hidden payment practices and building tools that give merchants more choice in payment processing. Where to find him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjthaeler/ Guest Company Website: https://www.posplus.org/KEY INSIGHTSEmbedded Payments Can Trap Merchants in High-Cost SystemsWhen software providers bundle their own payment services into their platforms, merchants lose the ability to shop for better rates or support. Over time, these bundled arrangements drive up payment costs while locking businesses into a single provider, making it tough to switch even when fees rise or service drops. This lack of competition leads to higher margins for software companies, but often leaves merchants paying far above the market average. The friction of changing systems, along with limited transparency, means that many businesses end up stuck with unfavorable terms. The core insight is clear: without real choice and portability in payment workflows, merchants risk becoming hostages to their own software—paying more for less flexibility.Choice and Transparency Lower Merchant Payment CostsGiving merchants freedom to choose among payment providers can restore balance in the payments ecosystem. Integrating open payment workflows into popular software platforms allows businesses to negotiate better deals and demand improved service. When payment options are unbundled, outside experts and local providers can step in to educate merchants, offer support, and keep costs in check. This shift not only reduces the risk of inflated fees but also promotes honest pricing from software vendors, who must stand behind the true cost of their core products. In a landscape where margins are tight, especially for small businesses, having more transparency and options directly supports their bottom line.
September 25, 2025Episode 2233 min
Stablecoins vs. SWIFT: The Revolution in Cross-Border Payments
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)While domestic payments are faster than ever, international transactions remain stuck in the past. In this episode, Monex Chief Economist John Min explains why cross-border payments are often slow, costly, and unpredictable.GUEST-AT-A-GLANCEName: John Min, Ph.DWhat they do: Chief EconomistCompany: MonexNoteworthy: John specializes in global payments, macroeconomic trends, and helps financial institutions navigate the complexities of cross-border transactions and foreign exchange. Where to find him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-min-4941634/Most community banks and credit unions rely on a chain of large correspondent banks, creating delays and opaque fees that frustrate customers and hurt businesses. This outdated system puts smaller institutions at a major disadvantage, risking the loss of deposits to larger competitors with more advanced technology.John breaks down how emerging solutions like stablecoins and plug-and-play platforms are set to revolutionize the industry. He argues that by partnering with specialized providers, community banks can level the playing field to offer fast, transparent international payments. Adopting this new technology is no longer just an option—it's essential for protecting their deposit base, improving customer satisfaction, and unlocking new revenue.
September 18, 2025Episode 2138 min
How AI Is Changing Fraud Detection in Modern Payments
Send us a text. (email us if you need a response)AI is changing the world as we know it. I'm please to present a great conversation i had with Brian Keef of Nice Actimize who are a leader in many things, but AI in Banking. In this Wrestling Payments episode, host Joe Casali interviews Brian Keefe, Manager of Portfolio Pre-Sales at Nice Actimize, about AI's transformative role in fraud detection and compliance. Brian addresses critical NACHA rule changes requiring institutions to monitor both incoming and outgoing ACH transactions, expanding beyond traditional outgoing-only oversight.GUEST-AT-A-GLANCEName: Brian Keefe What they do: Manager, Portfolio Pre-Sales Company: Nice Actimize Noteworthy: Brian specializes in AI-driven fraud prevention and compliance for financial institutions, with expertise in cross-channel risk, monitoring, and regulatory adaptation. Where to find him:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianekeefeKEY INSIGHTSThe AI Arms Race in Fraud Fraudsters now leverage AI to create synthetic identities and execute sophisticated attacks across multiple channels. Brian explains how criminals use AI tools like ChatGPT to mine data and build complete fake profiles, including deepfake photos. These coordinated groups share knowledge online and adapt quickly to new defenses. Traditional single-channel monitoring fails against these threats—institutions need cross-channel risk assessment covering ACH, checks, wires, and digital banking to spot patterns that isolated systems miss.Explainable AI and Human Oversight Brian emphasizes that AI must be transparent, not a "black box." Financial institutions need explainable AI that shows why it flagged transactions, building trust with compliance teams and regulators. The "human in the loop" approach is essential—AI assists but doesn't replace experienced staff. As Brian notes: "AI should never replace what a human does, especially from the risk and compliance perspective." This partnership reduces false positives while maintaining regulatory compliance.Practical Implementation Cross-channel monitoring has become mandatory as fraudsters exploit weaknesses across payment methods. By combining data from all channels, institutions get a complete risk picture and sharper alerts. Brian stresses continuous education through white papers and industry resources, noting that even conservative institutions must adapt because "fraudsters are always adapting and using the latest technology."The key takeaway: AI should function as an assistant that enhances human expertise, helping teams work efficiently while staying ahead of sophisticated threats in our rapidly evolving digital payments landscape.
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