Money Isn't Everything

Financial advice hasn’t changed too much, but how people learn and build wealth has. Ronnie Green, CEO and co-founder of AlgoPear, talks about what’s different now in engaging younger consumers, how agentic AI is reshaping the space and where credit unions may be falling behind.Show notes:AlgoPear  Subscribe to the Money Isn't Everything podcast here: https://qrco.de/bgfV82 Chapters[00:00] Intro[00:35] From Living in His Car to Starting Over[01:30] Learning How to Invest From Scratch[03:47] Turning $5K Into $100K[05:07] The Mindset That Changed Everything[07:18] Why Saving Isn’t Enough[10:01] Fixing Financial Education for Gen Z[11:30] How AlgoPear Engages Young Users[13:25] AI in Finance: Hype vs Reality[16:13] Why Messy Data Kills Innovation[20:17] Building Faster With AI[31:33] TikTok & The Future of LearningSend us Fan Mail

Banks and fintech brands are missing opportunities to build real connections largely because of how they communicate.On the show today: Mary chats with Allison Netzer about the second edition of her book, “Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank." They explore what it takes for a brand to pop in a commoditized industry. Hint: jargon, complexity, and “busy” messaging aren’t the answer.Show Notes:Allison's Book: Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank🔗 https://brandthnk.co/book/Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:🔗  https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everythingConnect with Mary on LinkedIn: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-wisniewski-3a7578b/Connect with Allison on LinkedIn:🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonnetzer/Send us Fan Mail

People with disabilities are often treated as a niche. In reality, more than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. live with some kind of a disability.Today on the show, Mary chats with father-son founders Amit and Angad Sahgal of LetMeDoIt about why financial services miss this market and how their startup is using technology to support independence and design financial tools that work for more people.Show notes:LetMeDoITPeople With Disabilities: An Underserved And Untapped Market For BanksSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything  Chapters[00:00] Meet the Father–Son Founders of LetMeDoIt[01:03] “Disability Is Not a Niche” — The 62–70 Million Market[04:01] The School Story That Sparked the Idea[06:09] What Is Supported Decision-Making?[08:36] Where Financial Services Gets Disability Wrong[11:13] Support vs. Supervision: Why Autonomy Matters[13:05] Why Credit Unions Are Key to Financial Inclusion[18:11] From Financial Education to Real Access[22:29] The Caregiver Perspective & Financial Safety Nets[27:06] What’s Next for LetMeDoIt?Send us Fan Mail

It’s January, and people are thinking about their money habits again. Mary talks with Andy Bandyopadhyay, PhD, founder and CEO at Attune Insights, about why financial institutions ought to seize the moment and encourage consumers to make financial health appointments at their branches. They chat about how financial health isn’t a tool or a tab and why PFM rarely changes behavior.Show notes:Attune Insights Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everythingChapters:[00:00] Welcome to Money Isn’t Everything + Introducing Andy Bandyopadhyay[01:05] New Year, New You: Why Financial Health Starts With Looking[03:23] Financial Health Appointments & Using the Branch Differently[05:32] How Credit Unions Can Pilot Financial Health Centers[07:17] Why Personal Financial Management (PFM) Tools Failed[10:57] Knowing vs Doing: Why Information Alone Doesn’t Change Behavior[12:31] Access Barriers: When Financial Help Is Hard to Reach[16:05] Measuring Outcomes, Not Just Engagement Metrics[22:50] The Myth: Finance Employees Are “Fine” Financially[31:49] The Future of Financial Health, Trust & AISend us Fan Mail

Slowing down payments could be a selling point. On the show, Mary talks with Erik Beguin, CEO of Austin Capital Bank, about why friction can be a feature, not a flaw. Plus, they unpack the rising wave of fraud, how security and convenience clash and why it’s time to measure success by protection, not just profits.Show notes- Austin Capital Bank Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters:[00:00] Fraud Is Exploding[02:10] Why Fraud Numbers Are All Underreported[04:45] The Emotional Trap: Denial & Embarrassment[07:20] Seniors and the Bitcoin ATM Scam Surge[10:15] Why “Education” Isn’t Stopping Fraud[14:00] Pig Butchering: The Scam You Don’t See Coming[18:30] Why Victims Stay Silent[22:40] How Fraudsters Stay Ahead of Banks[26:50] What Consumers Actually Need to Stay Safe[30:30] Erik Beguin’s Call to ActionSend us Fan Mail

Consumer Reports has a new playbook for fairness in digital finance and fintech app developers might want to take notes.Mary sits down with Delicia Hand, senior director, digital marketplace at Consumer Reports, to talk about building apps that are transparent, inclusive and designed for real financial well-being.Plus, they get into AI’s role in scams and why now is the moment for stronger consumer protections (not fewer).Show notes- Fairness by Design PlaybookSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters:[00:00] – Intro: What the Fairness & Design Playbook Is[01:00] – Why Consumer Reports Built a Fintech Playbook[03:00] – Filling the CFPB Gap in Consumer Protection[06:00] – AI Scams and Voice Cloning Threats[08:30] – Building with Consumers, Not for Them[11:00] – How Financial Apps Can Be Designed Responsibly[16:30] – What “Financial Well-Being” KPIs Should Look Like[22:00] – Making Financial Health Part of Product Success[26:30] – Designing for Inclusivity and Accessibility[29:40] – Advice for Fintech Developers + What’s Next from CRSend us Fan Mail

“The checking account hasn't had meaningful innovation in a decade,” says Christian Widhalm, CEO of Bloom Credit. In today’s show, Mary talks to Christian about what it takes to make the product stand out, the open banking pricing debate and the case for why it’s time for BNPL payments to show up on credit reports. Show notesBloom CreditInsights from Finovate 2024Credit Score Management: The $110 Billion Deposit and Payments MagnetSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters: [0:00] Welcome & Intro to Bloom Credit [1:10] Reinventing Credit Reporting [4:00] Turning Checking Accounts Into Credit Builders [6:30] Why Gen Z and Millennials Want This [9:50] The 64 Million “Thin File” Problem [13:00] How Credit Karma Changed the Game [18:40] Doing Good and Doing Well in Banking [20:50] The Data Access Debate: Plaid vs. Banks [26:30] Should “Buy Now, Pay Later” Count Toward Credit? [29:40] What’s Next for Fintech & Credit InnovationSend us Fan Mail

Debt collection doesn’t have to mean fear and shame. Gwyneth Borden, Remynt’s founder and CEO, joins Mary to explore a friendlier way for financial institutions to collect debt. Among the newer approaches: offering financial therapy, building credit while paying down debt and turning delinquency into long-term loyalty.Show notes:RemyntSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Chapters:[0:00] Intro – Meet Gwyneth Borden of Remynt[0:31] The Mission to Rethink Debt Collection[2:05] Why Fear and Shame Don’t Work[5:30] Gwyneth’s Personal Debt Story[7:19] Why Debt Collection Is Stuck in the Past[9:42] Building Credit While Paying Off Debt[14:00] The Psychology of Money & Financial Therapy[22:15] How the Industry Mislabels People in Debt[27:55] Gen Z and the Debt Crisis[30:18] The Future of Credit RecoverySend us Fan Mail

Financial health checks on transactions? It’s happening.James Neville, the CEO of Yaspa, chats with Mary about how open banking enables greater transparency and control to the high-risk sector of gambling. They also talk about where AI hits its limits and why Yaspa recently set up shop in Atlanta.Show notes:- YaspaChapters:[0:00] Intro – Meet James Neville[0:54] Fintech’s Role in Gambling & Overspending[5:55] Why Europe Leads on Responsible Payments[9:51] Moving Operations to Atlanta[11:41] Open Banking Under Pressure in the U.S.[16:01] Can Fintechs Survive New Data Fees?[17:12] Startup Life vs. Corporate Life[19:06] AI in Banking – Missing the Personal Touch[23:10] Stablecoins: Hype or Game-Changer?[26:55] Final Thoughts & Lock Screen SurpriseSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

Banking for older Americans doesn’t exactly scream TikTok. But Kevin Nazemi, co-founder and CEO of Charlie, discovered short videos about scams are resonating with people and their families.On today’s show: Why fraud thrives on urgency, how slowing down payments can help and why Kevin thinks friction in banking might actually be a good thing.Show notes:CharlieChapters:[0:00] Meet Kevin Nazemi, CEO of Charlie[1:29] Why a Neobank Turned to TikTok[3:15] How Fraud Content Goes Viral[6:05] Scam Tactics That Actually Work[10:24] The Psychology Behind Scams[16:10] AI & The Future of Fraud[20:26] Introducing “Speedbump” for Payments[32:18] Why Launching a Startup Is Always Nerve-Wracking[35:00] Interviewing President Clinton at Age 11[39:19] Where to Find Kevin & CharlieSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

The U.S. CEO of Zip has heard all kinds of knocks against Buy Now, Pay Later. In a wide-ranging conversation, Joe Heck tells Mary why the critics are wrong and why judgment has no place in personal finance.Loans through Zip are originated by WebBank.Show notes:ZipChapters:[0:00] Welcome & Intro to Joe Heck, CEO of Zip[1:01] Defending BNPL Against the Skeptics[2:39] From Flint to Fintech: Joe’s Early Money Views[5:07] Why Budgeting Tools Fail Like Fad Diets[7:44] The Role of AI in Personal Finance[10:17] Happy vs. Sad Spending: Making Money Simple[14:11] BNPL for Groceries & Small Purchases[18:05] Loan Stacking, Credit Scores & Myths[26:08] Zip’s Global Roots & BNPL Adoption[29:38] Final Thoughts & How to Reach JoeSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

There’s plenty of buzz about “self-driving money.” But what about those moments when people want more than an algorithm? Mary talks with Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful, a fintech firm betting on both humans and AI. Sam shares what’s broken in the traditional advisor model, how Fruitful’s subscription approach works, and why TikTok isn’t the place for personal finance advice. Show notes:FruitfulChapters:[00:00] Welcome & Guest Intro – Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful[00:30] Blending Human Guidance with AI in Finance[03:20] Building Trust & Transparency in Financial Services[06:50] Why Personal Connection Matters for Financial Advice[09:30] Business Model: $48/Month Membership Explained[12:00] Data Aggregation, Open Banking & Payment Rails[15:20] Coffee vs. Big Expenses: Rethinking Money Habits[19:30] Self-Driving Money & AI’s Role in Personal Finance[23:00] Overcoming Inertia: Making Finances Effortless[27:50] TikTok Finance Advice & Final ThoughtsSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

JPMorgan Chase lit a fire under the fintech world. The biggest U.S. bank says it wants to start charging aggregators for access to data through the bank's API. Some call it a smart business move. Others say it’s a threat to open banking. So, who’s right?Today on the show: Mary talks with Huw Davies, co-founder and chief executive at open finance company Ozone API, about what this shift could mean for banks, fintech firms and the rest of the industry. From pricing models to global lessons, Huw weighs into the money, the timing and the soap opera of U.S. banking regulation. Plus, they explore what many are not talking about right now: how banks are some of the biggest users of the technology.Show notes:Ozone APIChapters:[00:00] Welcome & API Soap Opera Setup  [00:41] Meet Huw Davies: Ozone API & Global Banking Lens  [01:27] JP Morgan’s Bold Move to Charge Aggregators  [03:06] Who Owns the Data? Industry Reactions & Murky Debates  [05:02] API Monetization: A Bank’s Right or Overreach?  [08:06] Pricing Models & Global Regulatory Lessons  [13:13] Open Banking Blueprints: UK, UAE, and India Compared  [19:47] Monetization Use Cases: Identity, Payments, Embedded Lending  [24:00] What Should U.S. Banks Do Now? Strategic Advice Amid Confusion  [28:15] Wrap-Up: Contact Huw & Lock Screen FunSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

The federal government is phasing out a range of paper checks in favor of digital payments.On the show: Mary speaks to Lurein Perera, CEO and co-founder of GiveCard, a fintech company that helps nonprofits and government agencies issue and manage prepaid debit cards for direct cash assistance programs.They chat about the slow disappearance of checks, the importance of financial inclusion, and why money apps need to understand a variety of languages to help build trust.Show notes:•GiveCardChapters:00:00 – Intro & The Origin of GiveCard04:30 – Fixing Broken Systems: How GiveCard Works07:00 – Disaster Relief in Action: LA Fires & Emergency Aid12:00 – The Power of Cash: Real-Life Impact Stories18:00 – Just Give People Money: Lessons from the Pandemic25:00 – Branding with Purpose: Welcome to Giftopia30:00 – Building for Trust & Dignity35:00 – Founder Advice & Wrap-UpSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here:https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

Sophia Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of Ansa and author of "The Field Guide to Global Payments," views Girl Math as a joyful expression. Sophia explores the social media trend with Mary and shares her view on why it matters to all brands. They also discuss what’s broken with gift cards and opine on reward programs that resonate with people.Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

Mary chats with Keith Armstrong, chief operating and compliance officer at Stretch, a startup that began as a neobank for people who were returning home from incarceration but has since made a notable pivot.Keith shares the early lessons from building a product for a misunderstood audience, the limits of academic research and how buying sneakers can carry deep meaning. Plus: They explore Stretch’s new goals and the realities of banking-as-a-service post Synapse crisis.Show notes:StretchEscape the Odds podcastSubscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

On the show today, Mary talks to Elizabeth Osborne – COO at Great Lakes Credit Union – about preparing for open banking regardless of what happens to the rules. As she says: “Whether it's a credit union or a bank, we should treat it as a threat. And if it doesn't become a threat, that's great. You're prepared.”They also explore how the credit union’s bet on bilingual chatbot Olive is working and ways Great Lakes is serving gig workers, asylum seekers and longtime members alike. Plus, Elizabeth offers candid advice for fintech founders trying to win over credit unions, and why leadership starts with listening.Subscribe to the podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

On the show today: Mary chats with Amy Loh, head of marketing at Pipe and former Square veteran, about how fintech is shaking up small business finance.Amy shares how Pipe approaches granting small businesses, like nail and hair salons, capital through their software partners at a time when some Pipe customers are seeking more money to prepare for tariff shocks.Amy also talks about Pipe’s recent acquisition of Glean.ai and shares career advice on being intentional and vocal about your growth path.Show notes:- PipeSubscribe to the podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us Fan Mail

Designing for death might not be the usual founder journey—but it’s exactly what Ben Hopf is doing.On today’s show, Mary talks with Ben, the founder and CEO of Atticus, about building tech that helps families navigate the financial chaos that follows a death.They chat about:How to design for grief without adding frictionHow inheritance stands to change as Gen Z comes of ageAnd yes… funeral playlists. Show notes:Estate planning reportSend us Fan Mail

Sure, some auto tariffs are softening. But the cost of car ownership is on the rise.On the show today, Mary sits down with Jacob Zachs, founder and CEO of Fasten, to talk about how his startup wants to reward consumers for one of their biggest discretionary expenses – their cars. The new product, called Fasten Rewards, gives consumers rewards for their auto loans and leases, maintenance, gas and more. Jacob talks to Mary about his ambition, auto tariffs and what's it like building a startup in a chaotic year.Send us Fan Mail

Today on the show, Mary talks to Shreenath Regunathan about a fresh way credit unions can prove their value to members: unlocking government benefits.Shree is a co-founder of Starlight, an early-stage fintech company that partners with credit unions. He talks to Mary about the shrinking middle class, misconceptions around financial health and how to make government benefits sound more approachable. Show notes:StarlightCan fintech and banks truly help people build savings habits?Send us Fan Mail

Today on the show: Dr. Leda Glyptis, author, advisor, keynote speaker and former banker, talks about her newer book, "Beyond Resilience" with Mary. One spoiler? Her interviews with entrepreneurs for the book were weary of being labeled as successful. As Leda says on the show: "Most people are like, 'I'm not done yet.'"She talks to Mary about the uglier realities of being an entrepreneur, what the duo noticed at Fintech Meetup (a large fintech conference held in March), and why it's important to ask mentors what they think you're good at even if you don't like the answers.Beyond ResilienceLeda's Fintech Futures' ColumnSend us Fan Mail

On the show today, Mary talks to Sam Miller, co-founder and CEO of Kasheesh, about what he believes is a dangerous pattern with consumers payments: buy now, pay later.They also explore what he’s building at Kasheesh, how to create a brand where customers don’t feel shame over their money patterns and how his company pursues talent in an AI era. As he says: “Talent is forever shifting. Now, obviously with the advances in AI, it's definitely a volatile market where you're looking at talent differently.”Links:Kasheesh! - Split Your Online PurchasesGirl Math: Inside the psychology of paymentsSend us Fan Mail

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies are under all kinds of political and regulatory scrutiny right now. On the show today: Mary chats with Elizabeth McCluskey, a managing director of TruStage Ventures' Discovery Fund, which is a fund geared at underrepresented founders who are building products and services to expand financial access.They chat about the business case for investing in diverse founders, how credit unions are using fintech firms to attract Gen Z and the need for intergenerational financial services products.Links:TruStage Ventures Discovery FundSend us Fan Mail

Among the industry’s many challenges is finding talent who understands COBOL, a programming language that is still critical for financial institutions and other companies worldwide.Today on the show: Mary speaks with Bill and Eileen Hinshaw, the co-founders of Cobol Cowboys, a firm that sends in the pros who understand the "legendary language." They also talk to Mary about their work to help younger adults learn the older language.Show notes:Bill Hinshaw featured in CIO TODAYCobol CowboysSend us Fan Mail

As Ryan Falvey sees it, 2025 will mark a very favorable period for fintech startups. Today on the show: Ryan, who is the co-founder and managing partner at Restive (a venture fund for early-stage fintech companies), talks to Mary about why. They also get into regulation wishes, productivity trends with startups and what interferes with innovating.Show Notes:Restive's State of the Market 2025Send us Fan Mail

The Los Angeles-area wildfires have destroyed homes and businesses. On today’s show, Mary chats with Matthew Goldman, a Pasadena resident and serial fintech founder. They chat about the wildfires and how the industry can help. Matthew, who is the founder of Totavi, a fintech product management consultancy, also talks about cutting-edge card perks and what it takes to inspire someone to change banks.Show notes:Pasadena Community Foundation's Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery FundCanine Rescue ClubOne Voice Fire ReliefMatthew Goldman’s newsletter, CardsFTWSend us Fan Mail

In August 2022, Bank of New Hampshire started issuing biodegradable cards to help reduce plastic waste. 🌽Today on the show, Mary talks to Eric Carter, senior vice president of digital solutions and innovation officer at the bank, about what motivated him to make the card switch ahead of so many other financial institutions. They also talk about bank-fintech partnerships in a post-Synapse crisis era and compelling features for digital banking apps.Show notes:Bank of New HampshireSend us Fan Mail

Open banking, A.I. and President-elect Trump. … and that’s just the start. Today on the show, Jennifer Tescher, founder, president and CEO of the Financial Health Network, talks to Mary about her takes on the industry’s most heated topics. They also explore an opportunity for banks and credit unions: help improve financial outcomes to avoid just existing in a commodity business. Show notes:Financial Health NetworkEMERGE Financial HealthSend us Fan Mail

Happy Thanksgiving! Today’s show is a short one. Cornerstone’s Editor-at-Large, Mary Wisniewski, hops on with herself to chat about what she’s thankful for in fintech.Send us Fan Mail

Community Financial Credit Union is taking on one of the diciest areas of finance: domestic violence and economic abuse in what the Michigan credit union refers to as its Choose the Bear movement. Tansley Stearns, president and CEO of the credit union, talks to Mary about how and why Community Financial hopes to serve as one of the resources to help survivors escape economic abuse and rebuild their lives. It is but one of many striking projects setting the Michigan credit union apart from the pack. Stearns also chats with Mary about the importance of remote workers in recruiting talent and the significance of storytelling. Show links:Choose the BearFirst StepAmerica’s Credit Union Museum -- HerstorySend us Fan Mail

While financial institutions across the country want to win over Gen Z, the demographic tends to mystify them.Katrin Kaurov, co-founder and CEO of Frich, is on a mission to help solve both challenges. Katrin talks to Mary about Gen Z stereotypes, techniques that resonate with young adults and rethinking financial literacy. She also answers questions that came up during a summer Cornerstone-Frich webinar.Show notes:FrichRead Z Hits Different: How to Better Acquire and Engage a New GenerationWatch the Z Hits Different webinar replaySend us Fan Mail

The emotional side of money is an emerging area of interest for fintech and digital banking executives.On today’s show, Mary sits down with Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, who among other titles, is a financial therapist. In fact, through December 2024, Lindsay is working as Cash App’s financial therapist. Lindsay talks with Mary about the newer profession and how it’s already showing up in fintech in various ways. They also explore how Gen Z handles money in ways that are different from past generations.One correction: In the interview, Mary says Square in reference to Lindsay’s financial therapy work. But Mary meant to say Cash App. Relevant links for Lindsay's work:Her company: Mind Money BalanceHer podcast show: Mind Money BalanceHer book: “The Financial Anxiety Solution”Mary's emoji story (subscription required): When it comes to emojis, banks need to learn the lingoA bit on the Cash App blocking featureSend us Fan Mail

In September, the Reseda Group held a fintech summit in Detroit, showcasing a range of technology designed to improve credit unions’ products and services. Mary emcee-ed the event.In this episode, Ben Maxim (the chief operating officer at the Reseda Group) chats with Mary about the flavorful themes that emerged during the Detroit event, including: fresh ways to deepen engagement with members, the need to upgrade digital banking for all ages and where and how the branch plays a role.As the chief innovation officer for Michigan State University FCU, Ben also chats with Mary about how he finds fintechs to work with, and equally important, how the credit union knows when to call it quits.Oh, they also explore existentialism in financial services and Ben defines innovation. Really. Relevant links:Reseda SummitSend us Fan Mail

A 2024 policy shift is letting employees offer a newer kind of perk: When employees make student loan payments, their employers can plop savings into their tax-advantage retirement plan as their matches.Today on the show, Mary sits down with Laurel Taylor, founder and CEO at Candidly, to explore why and how her company is tackling this thorny financial wellness challenge.Plus, they chat about the joys of accomplishments, the shame often tied to debt, and ways they stay grounded. Relevant show links:CandidlySECURE Act 2.0Send us Fan Mail

2024 is considered the year of the consent order in banking. The added regulatory scrutiny is shifting the way banks partner with fintech companies.In this episode, Mary sits down with Rodrigo Suarez, chief banking officer at Piermont Bank. They explore what the young New York bank is seeking out in fintech. Rodrigo also shares why he thinks diversity matters in banking and offers his views on innovations for small businesses. And yes, they even talk about ways fintechs can avoid getting lost in what can feel like bank labyrinth. Relevant links:*Piermont Bank*Rodrigo Suarez    *Finteching with Mary, a monthly newsletter published on LinkedInSend us Fan Mail

You likely know the brand H&R Block. But more than two years ago, the tax-preparation chain launched Spruce: an app that connects to a debit card and savings account where funds are held at its bank partner, Pathward.Today on the show, Mary sits down with John Thompson, vice president of product management for financial services at H&R Block. They chat about how consumers find Spruce (including at physical locations) some of the major misconceptions of financial health and the challenges of when faster (and slower) payments occur. John also talks about his love-hate relationship with the tax refund.Relevant sourcesH&R Block’s SpruceFinancial Health NetworkSend us Fan Mail

As the executive director of Fintech Sandbox, Kelly Fryer interacts with all kinds of fintech startups. In this episode, Kelly offers her take on important startup issues.She talks with Mary about the challenges fintech startups located outside of the coasts are up against, clashes between fintech and bank cultures and career pathing ideas. They also chat about their shared Midwestern roots and the biggest concerns community banks have right now. Relevant links:Fintech SandboxBoston Fintech WeekGo Midwest, young fintechs (American Banker article by Mary. Subscription required) Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Mary chats with Tony Brancato, the head of product for the neobank for older adults called Charlie. Tony chats about why he thinks payments need to slow down, how shame is masking just how many seniors are getting scammed and where to acquire customers. They also chat about whether or not their parents hit the clubs. Relevant links:CharlieThe newest Neobank is for the 62+ CrowdSend us Fan Mail

StellarFi is not the first fintech company Lamine Zarrad has founded. This plucky serial fintech founder chats with Mary about his wild ride working as a bank regulator by day, and designing a pot payment startup (Tokken) on nights and weekends -- something he said he felt compelled to do. Now at StellarFi, he is compelled to rethink bill payment. They explore the how and examine unconventional customer acquisition ideas (ahem, buying and forgiving debt) and when (and why) to challenge bank regulators. Relevant show links: StellarFiDealBook article referenced Send us Fan Mail

Michael Broughton learned about the complications of the credit scoring system while struggling to access credit to help him pay for a portion of his USC tuition.Now, as the founder and CEO of Altro, he’s working to expand the ways people can build credit history by reporting subscription payments to credit bureaus. He tells Mary about what he sees broken in the credit scoring system and what it was like to go viral while working on his startup at a hacker house. They also chat about how money apps can foster community as well as how to sort through good and bad venture capitalists. Relevant show links:https://www.altro.io/our-story/Send us Fan Mail

Sophia Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of Ansa and author of "The Field Guide to Global Payments," views Girl Math as a joyful expression. Sophia explores the social media trend with Mary and shares her view on why it matters to all brands. They also discuss what’s broken with gift cards and opine on reward programs that resonate with people.Send us Fan Mail

Eric Siegel, founder of Machine Learning Week conferences and former Columbia University professor, has focused his attention on cutting through the AI exuberance in his newer book, “The AI Playbook.” Eric talks to Mary about what corporations get wrong about one of the buzziest technologies and offers practical steps to take instead. Eric also talks to her about the tension between fraud and customer experience and what went into making his music video on predictive analytics (yes, that happened). Show notes:The AI Playbook: Mastering the Rare Art of Machine Learning DeploymentGenerative AI Applications SummitSend us Fan Mail

Debbie, an early-stage fintech startup, is rewriting the rules on rewards. Instead of offering consumers rewards for spending, Debbie offers rewards for paying down their debt and saving money at a time when credit card and auto loan delinquency rates have increased to their highest level since the Great Recession, per data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkToday’s episode: Mary sits down with Debbie’s CEO and Co-Founder, Frida Leibowitz. They chat about how to drive engagement on a dreary subject, offer unexpected techniques to develop a vibrant user community, and discuss something seemingly counterintuitive: How too many resources can interfere with building a bank product – something Frida witnessed firsthand while previously working at Goldman Sachs’ Marcus.Send us Fan Mail

It’s past and present fintech innovations in this edition of Money isn’t Everything.In today’s show, Mary sits down with Jim Bruene who founded one of the first fintech events, Finovate, at a time when many didn’t know fintech was becoming a thing.They explore the challenges of staying creative at a corporation and offer workarounds as well as opine on the latest and greatest in small business banking. Jim also shares  how he dreamed up Finovate (spoiler: the idea started with reading an American Banker article). You’ll also hear which bank couldn’t get into the first Finovate and how Mary fell into a fountain (separate incidents).Jim is also the founder of Fintech Labs UX. Finovate: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ Send us Fan Mail

Consumers are depleting the savings they built during the pandemic. Mary Wisniewski sits down with Ethan Bloch, the founder of Digit, one of the first algorithmic saving apps to hit the U.S. They examine: overdraft fees, best practices for building a product that inspires behavior change and whether fintech has improved financial services at all. They still manage to laugh. Send us Fan Mail

The financial services industry isn’t that basic. Sure, banks and credit unions hold money. But their ambitions are much grander. Hosted by long-time fintech reporter Mary Wisniewski, Money isn’t Everything explores the ways banking may change for better or worse. We’ll hear from rebels of banking, journalists and fintech entrepreneurs every other week to explore financial health, identity issues and the many unexpected places traditional banking is appearing in people’s lives.  We'll have a good time, too.Send us Fan Mail