Episode 554: Innovator’s Dilemma & ROI / ROT

In This Episode Integration is a team sport these days. There is a need for constant adaptation and innovation, it can be complex and expensive, a lack of standards in the U.S. has introduced a lot of competing standards and solutions challenging business and consumer adoption. Partnerships and tighter focus can be key to bringing down cost to exchange funds and complement the current payments system with $80 Trillion processed on the ACH system in 2023, $55 Trillion of it B2B payments. Listen as Brett King catches up with Dwolla’s CEO, David Glaser and CTO, Skyler Nesheim. Dwolla was first featured on Breaking Banks back in 2013, they bring us up to date on the innovative interfaces that Dwolla offers to the US banking system and their ability to work with innovators of all sizes. It’s an interesting discussion covering RTP payments, open banking, pay by bank, connections to the ACH Network and RTP Network for institutions of all sizes. Then Jason Henrichs chats with veteran financial services executive, founder & CEO Sanjib Kalita, about fintech events from Money 20/20 to Fintech Meetup and beyond. From best practices to the need to create the right culture and maximize the value of content and improve ROT (Return on Time), differentiation is important as is contributing to greater knowledge. Are there too many events? It’s a master class in events! Read the entire transcript here. Podcast Content: Chapter 1: 00:00 – Introduction: Navigating Innovation in Fintech The hosts kick off with an overview of the “Innovator’s Dilemma” and introduce returning guests from Doala, discussing the evolution of fintech. Chapter 2: 05:15 – Doala’s Evolution: From Startups to Enterprises Doala’s CEO and CTO reflect on their journey, highlighting the company’s shift from serving small businesses to becoming a payments infrastructure leader. Chapter 3: 15:30 – Global Real-Time Payments: Lessons from PIX and UPI A discussion on how countries like Brazil and India are leading real-time payments, compared to the U.S.’s slower adoption and the role of standards. Chapter 4: 25:40 – Overcoming Legacy Challenges in Banking Exploring how legacy systems create friction in innovation, and how fintechs like Doala provide solutions to modernize payment ecosystems. Chapter 5: 35:20 – The Role of AI in Payments and Personalization The conversation shifts to AI’s potential in payments, including personal assistants managing financial transactions and streamlining banking processes. Chapter 6: 45:10 – Collaboration in Fintech: Banks, Platforms, and Ecosystems The panel examines how fintechs, banks, and technology platforms collaborate to create scalable, integrated financial systems. Chapter 7: 55:30 – Building a Future-Proof Bank in the Cloud The episode highlights how cloud-native fintechs like Doala have a competitive edge, while legacy banks face significant hurdles in keeping up. Chapter 8: 1:07:45 – Conferences and ROI: Fintech Events That Matter The hosts discuss the importance of maximizing return on time at fintech events, sharing strategies to align conference participation with business goals. Chapter 9: 1:17:20 – Closing Thoughts: Embracing Continuous Innovation The episode wraps up with reflections on the necessity of constant innovation for survival in fintech and the banking ecosystem. Related Content: Episode 427: Reframing the Branch and the Industrialist Dilemma Episode 565: Return to Normalcy? & Money’s Got Soul Episode 395: Banking on Fast Money Special Episode – Finovate: Financial Insights & Breaking Banks Anniversary Trailer Episode 216: Disruption Stories – The Challenges of Integrating Cryptocurrency into Traditional Financial Systems https://youtu.be/PaD1IcU4NxU