FinTech for the Underserved: How AI Is Transforming Banking and Payments in Canada

In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Shea Malcolmson, Director of Sales at Apaylo, to unpack how technology is reshaping access to banking and payments across Canada. From newcomers and high-risk businesses to emerging markets, Shea shares how FinTech innovation and AI are breaking long-standing barriers in one of the world’s most conservative financial systems. They dive into the realities of modernizing Canadian payments - tackling compliance, fraud detection, and customer experience through automation and AI-driven workflows. You’ll also hear how Halo’s mission-driven approach is redefining what “financial inclusion” means in a digital-first world.If you’re curious about where FinTech, AI, and social impact intersect, this conversation delivers the insight and inspiration to rethink what’s possible in finance. Key Moments: 01:08 Artist to Payments Innovator 06:08 Canada's Banking Challenges and Solutions 07:43 "Fintech vs. Bank Risk Metrics" 12:56 Empowering Employees with AI Tools 16:26 "Immigrant Success and Growth" 19:03 "Regulation, Blockchain, and Innovation" 20:29 Financial Partnership Insights Shared About the guest :  Shea Malcolmson is a driving force behind innovative solutions in Canada's traditionally slow-moving, tightly held banking sector. Recognizing that the country's secure but oligopolistic banks can make financial innovation difficult, Shea became committed to helping those who struggle to access mainstream banking. Through initiatives like Halo, Shea empowers individuals with limited bank relationships by leveraging cutting-edge bank and payment services, striving to make Canada’s financial landscape more inclusive and accessible to everyone. Connect Shea:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheamalcolmson/ About the host :  Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results. Connect Stan :  LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/ Website www.acadia.im