Lending Innovation, AI, and the Future of Credit with Ed Walters from Upstart

In this podcast episode Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives at FinWise Bank, sat down with Ed Walters, VP of Lending Partnerships at Upstart, for a wide‑ranging and candid conversation on how lending is evolving—and what banks, fintechs, and investors need to understand to stay ahead. Ed and Simon unpack: How AI is reshaping credit access—and why starting with the customer problem (not the product) matters more than ever What it really takes to innovate responsibly in lending while balancing regulators, sponsor banks, and investors Lessons learned from the 2022 credit cycle stress test—and how modern underwriting models are adapting to macroeconomic risk How fintechs and sponsor banks can build durable, multi‑year partnerships in a fast‑moving, highly regulated environment Why the future of lending is moving toward “always‑on” credit, meeting consumers at their point of need with the right product, at the right price Ed also shares practical insights on product ideation, compliance‑by‑design, model explainability, and what strong risk management looks like at scale—all grounded in real-world experience. If you’re thinking about the future of consumer lending, AI in underwriting, or how fintech–bank partnerships can evolve sustainably, this episode is for you.